CITIZENS ADVICE
01227 452762 / 01227 740647
admin@canterburycab.cabnet.org.uk
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Multi-service advice including financial, housing, benefits and employment. Phone advice or by appointment.

GINGERBREAD
gingerbread.org.uk
0808 802 0925
Advice line for single parents.

THE HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND
The Household Support Fund is a scheme funded by the government to help low-income households. You can apply for a grant to help with costs like food, bills and other essentials such as clothing. To apply for a payment, you must:

• Live in the Canterbury district and be 16 or over (including university students)
• Not have access to any money to support your situation
• Have a total household income of £30,000 or less – this includes any money from employment or benefits

You can only apply for one type of help per household – so for example, you cannot submit an application for food bills and an application for help with energy costs.

Applications are online at: https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/apply-household-support-fund-payment

Financial:

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL
0784255099
Small grants, befriending and financial advice.

WHITSTABLE NON-ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY
01227 763939
Support for families and people living alone: home visits and small one-off grants for essential items.

CHURCHES AGAINST POVERTY
0800 328 0006
Free debt support and advice.

HAPPY HERE CIC
www.happyhere.me
www.facebook.com/happyherecic
www.instagram.com/happyherecic
Free financial and business advice in Herne Bay: Calm your Mind.

NATIONAL DEBTLINE
0808 808 4000
Free financial advice, payment plans and debt reduction plans.

STEPCHANGE
stepchange.org
0800 138 1111
Free debt support and ‘breathing space’ service providing 60 day reprieve from rent arrears.

KCC BENEFIT CALCULATOR
https://kent.entitledto.co.uk/home/start helps you calculate what benefits you are entitled to.

KCC:
Financial support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families, friends and carers.
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-young-people/independent-living-for-send/money-management

KENT TOGETHER:
03000 41 92 92 to find your way through to the advice and support available. The Kent Together helpline cannot provide you with any financial advice, but can help direct you to a service that can help.
https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/protect-kent-and-medway/help-and-advice-for-residents/kent-together

Housing:

CHAC – Canterbury Housing Advice Centre
01227 762605
adviceteam@chac.co.uk
FREE Support: landlord disputes, housing issues, homelessness, advice and advocacy.

CANTERBURY CITY COUNCIL
01227 781879
Advice and assessment for housing support.

CIVIL LEGAL ADVICE
0345 345 4 345
Free legal advice for those on benefits, low income or facing eviction due to rent/mortgage arrears.

NECESSARY FURNITURE
Mon – Fri 9–4.30pm & Sat 9–4.pm
necessary_furniture@hotmail.com
Low cost furniture and white goods: no assessment, open to all.

Utilities:

WARM HOME DISCOUNT
0800 731 0214
Electric bill payments: £140 for those in receipt of: pension credit, universal credit, disability or have a child under 5 years.

WINTER FUEL PAYMENT
gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
£150-£300 payment for people born before 1953.

COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS
https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility
Temperature dependent payments – £35 grant if on specific benefits and the temperature is below zero for 7 days.

Social Tariffs
Several Utility suppliers have special tariffs that are income dependent, it is worth checking with your supplier.

SOUTHERN WATER
0800 952 4000
Social tariff -income and circumstances dependent: income below £16,385, three children living at home with you, or living with someone with a specific medical condition that requires an increased water consumption. Other schemes available for single people.