If you are in debt and need financial advice, we recommend that you act now and seek information and help.
Help and advice is available to help manage debts, prevent rent and Council Tax arrears and reduce the worst-case risk of your home being re-possessed.
Council Tax payments
We want to support all of our residents who are suffering financial hardship.
Applications for Council Tax Support can be registered with us online and revised payment arrangements can be negotiated by completing a Personal Budget Statement.
If you have received a payment reminder, please don't ignore it. Read the information about what happens if you pay late or don't pay.
Reducing your bill
Make sure you are claiming all of the discounts you are entitled to by reading information on discounts available (including discretionary help) or getting further support to do this.
Make sure you are claiming all of the benefits and financial support you are entitled to by using this online benefit checker.
Banks
Banks are not allowed to use housing benefit or any other benefit to repay an overdraft.
You can protect your housing benefit payments or another payment that is for paying a specific, essential bill by telling your bank it should only be used for that purpose. This protection is called a 'first right of appropriation of funds order'.
You can use the first right of appropriation on any money being paid into your account. For example, you may want to make sure that your job seekers allowance (JSA) is used to pay your electricity bill and water rates. You will need to tell your bank how to use these payments.
You need to write to your bank at least seven days before your benefit/payment is due, making it clear that any regular payments or one off deposits are to pay for your rent/essential living costs (as appropriate).
For example, you may want to tell your bank or building society:
"On or around August 20th, and every 2 weeks after, my housing benefit will be paid into my current account number 0101010101. I am exercising my first right of appropriation over these funds and wish you to pay the following items from it: £75 standing order payable to my landlord, Mr Smith on the 25th of the month."
Keep a copy of the letter in case there is any dispute later. You may want to ask your bank/building society for a written acknowledgement of your instructions.
If there are any items you no longer want to pay from your account, or which you cannot afford, you should give your bank separate cancellation instructions. This is because the first right of appropriation does not stop the bank paying items as well as those you have listed. If you do not cancel these items, your bank may return the items as unpaid, which they may charge you for. However, payments from your account to re-pay a loan with the same bank cannot be cancelled.
Help from the Council
Benefits advice including discretionary payments for rent and Council Tax
Council Tax discounts and exemptions
Housing advice and housing grants
Help from other agencies
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An independent local charity working with and for senior citizens in Essex
Email: Age UK
Tel: 01245 346106
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Help on starting and running a business
X (Twitter): @businessgov
Facebook: @BusinessSupportGov
YouTube: Business Support Helpline
Tel: 0300 456 3565
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Helpful budget tool for customers
Tel: 0800 197 6026
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Citizens Advice Bureau (National) and Citizens Advice Bureau (Maldon)
An independent voluntary organisation offering confidential and free information, advice and advocacy services
Tel: 01621 875 774 Maldon Branch
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Credit Union - Holdfast Credit Union
Holdfast is your local Credit Union, run by the community for the community
Email: Holdfast Credit Union
Tel: 01376 516994
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Free, impartial advice
Tel: 0800 043 40 50
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The online link to access all government services
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Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre
Free and impartial advice on ways to save money on fuel bills and on grant schemes for insulation and heating works
Email: Energy Savings Trust for business
Tel: 020 7222 0101
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Essex Essential Living Fund (ELF)
This scheme can assist with general household costs and living expenses and is administered by Southend Borough Council
Tel: 0300 7900124
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The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
If you meet three conditions, you could get a refund under the 'Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme' (HTCS) for the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS-funded treatment or diagnostic test arranged by a doctor or dentist
Tel: 0300 330 1343
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IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement)
Chat online via website with an advisor
Tel: 08000433329
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Search for a job, training, career information, voluntary work and childcare provision anywhere in the UK. Free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems
Tel: 0808 808 4000
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MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise
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Helping people in hard times – whether that’s housing and welfare issues or wellbeing, debt and isolation
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Tel: 0300 123 3456
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The housing and homelessness charity
Tel: 0800 085 1798
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Online debt advice tool and budget forms available through the website
If you are an existing client, you can email client.service@stepchange.org
Tel: 08001381111
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The Warm Front Scheme installs heating and insulation measures in your home