Talk Money Week: Let’s take the first step together

The cost of living can become more challenging during the colder months, and we understand this can be a worry. 

If you’re worried about your finances, please get in touch with our Money Advice Team. Whether it’s debt, energy bills, housing or living costs, we’re here to help. 

How we can help

Our support is free and confidential, so please don’t wait until things get worse before asking for help. We can support you by:

• Checking which benefits you could be entitled to and helping you to apply 
• Asking for a benefit decision to be looked at again 
• Finding simple ways to help manage your budget, bills, rent and debts 
• Exploring help with energy bills, including the Warm Home Discount Scheme 
• Helping you apply for grants and emergency funds 

One customer was relying on her state pension as her only source of income and was struggling to pay for food and heating. Our team helped her apply for housing benefit, pension credit and attendance allowance, as well as providing food and energy vouchers whilst her application was in progress.  

She now receives all three and told us:  

“The extra money has changed my life. I can afford to care for my dog and enjoy tea and cake with my friend, with less worry about money.” 

Another customer was struggling to pay his rent and heat his home after his Universal Credit was sanctioned, leaving him with just £20 a month. Our team worked with him to challenge the sanction, arrange food and energy vouchers and get more than £350 of energy debt written off so his gas supply could be restored. We also helped him move to a more affordable one-bedroom home, access help with housing costs and manage his budget and bills. 

His Universal Credit sanction was overturned and he received a backdated payment. With his heating restored and housing costs reduced, he now has a more stable home. He told us: 

“The support from Onward made an unbelievable difference to my life. I was in tears when I got the keys to my new place. I wouldn’t have managed without their support.” 

One customer was struggling to manage their finances and faced £3,600 in debt, with enforcement action underway. Our team requested a review of the charges and worked with local partners to arrange support. We also negotiated a pause in energy debt enforcement and helped put a manageable repayment plan in place. 

Enforcement action was stopped. We helped the customer join priority services registers and arranged to support them with their energy account. With ongoing help, they can now manage their bills more safely, with less worry about money. 

We understand everyone’s situation is different, so we’ll work with you to provide tailored support and help in any way we can.