Money Advice
Our Money Advice Team are here to provide support and advice, ensuring you can manage your tenancy with confidence and offer support when you need it most.
How we can support you
- General information and guidance
- A benefits/grant check
- Making a claim online
- Filling out forms
- Pursuing benefit reconsiderations and appeals
£4.6M
Secured in additional benefits and energy and fuel grants for hundreds of tenants
1,198
Benefit claims made to support tenants
Welfare Benefits Support
We are here to help you make sense of the benefits you may be entitled to and support you every step of the way. Our team can, check what benefits you are eligible for, help you make new claims, support you if your circumstances change and guide you through appeals. Below are some of the main benefits we regularly support with, along with links to further information on GOV.UK.
- Universal Credit (UC)
Helps with living costs if you are on a low income or out of work, including support towards housing. Find out more. - Housing Benefit
Helps with rent payments, mainly for people of pension age or those living in supported accommodation. Find out more. - Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Provides support if you have a long-term health condition or disability that affects your daily life. Find out more. - Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Offers financial support if a health condition or disability impacts your ability to work. Find out more. - Carer’s Allowance
Available if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. Find out more.
Household Item Support
We can help you access grants and support to get the essential items you need to set up or maintain your home. This support is especially helpful if you are moving into a new tenancy, leaving homelessness, or need to replace broken or essential items.
What we can help with
- Beds and mattresses
- White goods such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and cookers
- Basic furniture like sofas, tables and wardrobes
- Flooring, where funding is available
- Everyday essentials such as kitchenware, bedding and small appliances
Where support may come from
- Local welfare assistance schemes (depending on your council)
- National charities and hardship funds
- Specialist grants for people with disabilities, health conditions, or those fleeing domestic abuse
Energy Support
If you are struggling with the cost of gas or electricity, we are here to help. We can provide support and connect you with trusted organisations for extra advice.
Types of support available
- Fuel vouchers for tenants using prepayment meters in emergency situations
- Emergency top-ups for gas or electricity
Additional support and referrals
- Local energy advice charities
- Citizens Advice energy specialists
- Organisations offering help with energy saving, budgeting and managing energy debt
Grant Support
We can help you apply for a range of financial and hardship grants, depending on your situation. This support can help with essential living costs, unexpected emergencies, health-related needs or times of financial crisis.
Types of grants we can help with
- Hardship grants to support emergency living costs
- Charitable grants for people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or other specific needs
- Crisis grants for those facing immediate financial difficulty
Each grant has different requirements, but you will usually be asked to provide:
- Proof of income or benefits
- Recent bank statements
- Evidence of your situation (for example, a broken appliance or medical letters)
- Quotes for items, where needed
- Identification and tenancy details
We will support you through the process, from gathering the right documents to help completing the application.
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You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. This will give you an estimate of:
- The benefits you could get
- How much your benefit payments could be
- How your benefits will be affected if you start work or increase your hours
- How your benefits will be affected if your circumstances change - for example if you have a child or someone moves out of your home
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If you are living with a long-term medical condition or disability, you may be entitled to Personal Independence Payment if you are of working age, or Attendance Allowance if you are aged 67 or over. Our Tenancy Support Team has expert benefit advisors who will be happy to talk to you about entitlement and how to apply. They can complete the application forms with you and guide you through the claims process.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP is a benefit for people who need help with everyday tasks, and/or find it difficult to get around because of their disability or health condition. To qualify you must have had difficulties due to your health condition for at least three months and expect it to last for at least nine months (special rules apply to the terminally ill). PIP can be paid to people in or out of work and it does not matter how much you have in savings. For more information please take a look at the videos now available on the DWP YouTube channel.
If you are struggling with your health and think you might qualify for PIP, get in touch with our Money AdviceTeam.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people who need help with their personal care and are State Pension Age when they first claim. To qualify, you must have had problems for the past six months (special rules apply to the terminally ill), be in the UK when you apply and have lived here for at least two out of the last three years.
Attendance Allowance is paid on top of other income or benefits, and it does not matter how much you have in savings.
If you are struggling with your health and think you might qualify for Attendance Allowance, get in touch with our Tenancy Support Team.
How to contact us
If you need help or advice, please contact our Money Advice Team:
- Call - 0800 953 0213 (option 4)
- Email - tenancysupport@communitygateway.co.uk
- Online - Complete the form below
If you are worried about paying your rent, we are always on hand to offer advice and support. It is better to contact us sooner rather than later, so please contact our Income Team on 0800 953 0213 (option 3).
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