Managing finances such as paying bills and planning for the future can be difficult.

Benefits

It's often difficult to know what, if any, benefits you're entitled to. The Money Advice Service has a list of all the different types of benefits to help you to find out if you could be claiming something. There is also advice on what to do if your benefit changes and where to go to get help and advice about benefits.

Website: Money Advice Service - Benefits

The Department of Work and Pensions can also help you check if you qualify for certain benefits. It can also give you an idea of how much you may be able to get.

Website: The Department for Work and Pensions

Budgeting

Managing your money through a budget is a good way to make sure you don't go in to debt, and make your pounds go further. Put simply, a budget helps you see how much money you have coming in and how much you have to spend. The Money Advice Service has lots of advice and budget templates to help you draw up a budget that works for you.

Website: Money Advice Service - Budgeting and managing money

Debt and borrowing money

It's easy to feel overwhelmed if you know you're struggling financially. There are lots of borrowing websites available now but you must be careful and make sure short-term loans don't cause you more money problems in the long run. The Money Advice Service has lots of information and advice around debt and borrowing money, including where to find free debt advisors to help you get back in control of your money.

Website: Money Advice Service - Debt and borrowing

Website: Citizens Advice support individuals by providing knowledge and confidence to move forward with problems they may be experiencing.

Website: Two Pennies Money Advice offer local money advice for individuals having problems with debt in Worcestershire.
Phone: 01905 27001
Email: adviser@twopennies.org.uk

Be aware of loan sharks! A loan shark is someone who lends cash as an unauthorised business. It’s not always easy to spot a loan shark as they come in all shapes and sizes and will at first appear friendly, just part of the community. It is when you can’t pay that they will turn on you. Website: Stop loan sharks

Welfare support and schemes

• Welfare Support Scheme Wyre Forest District Council
• Benefits & help Bromsgrove District Council
• Benefits and help Redditch Borough Council
• Discretionary Welfare Assistance Scheme - Worcester City Council
• Benefits and Council Tax Malvern Hills District Council
• Benefits and Council Tax Wychavon District Council