The Crisis and Resilience Service (CRS) provides a range of support which includes supporting you with money management and budgeting support and advice, supporting grant applications, providing cost comparisons for utilities and supporting with switching to cheaper providers or tariffs.
They provide targeted crisis payments to support people experiencing an immediate financial shock, such as a reduction in income or an unexpected essential expense.
You can also apply for support from the Norfolk Heating Oil Crisis Fund through CRS.
The Customer Service Centre at Norfolk County Council can support you with completing an online application, if you are unable to do so yourself. You can reach them on 0344 800 8020. You will still need to send evidence via email or via post.
If you don't have enough to live on whilst you wait for your first payment, you can ask for anadvance payment (opens new window) after you've made a claim. You can also ask for a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs or because you got a sanction. You need to pay it back through your Universal Credit payments - they'll be lower until you pay it back.
Change how you get your Universal Credit:
If you're having financial difficulties or you're behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).
Depending on your circumstances, you could get an APA to:
Get your rent paid directly to your landlord
Get paid more frequently than once a month
Receive split payments, if you're part of a couple
Speak to your work coach to apply for an APA.
Other benefits you can claim:
If you want to claim a benefit without your savings, your partner's savings or their income being taken into account, you can apply for either:
Pension Credit is available to residents of State Pension age and on a low income, to help with living costs. Pension credit is a 'passport' benefit which allows access to other support such as Warm Homes Discount and NHS dental treatment.
Offer free, impartial advice on debt, benefits, employment and housing issues. To make sure you're getting all of the support you're entitled to, get in touch directly via the Advice line on freephone 0800 1448848 or via theCitizens Advice website. (opens new window)
CAP
Get free professional help getting out of debt, budgeting, making your money go further or help finding a job. CAP have debt centres in Dereham and Mid-Norfolk which offer face-to-face, video and telephone appointments. Clients are linked up with a befriender to provide practical and emotional support through the journey out of debt.
CAP works with local churches and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This service is suitable for those with low literacy and mental health needs.
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing. They can sometimes beat the rates on the high street. Take a look at local options atFind Your Credit Union (opens new window)
