What problem do you have today?
I suddenly have no money
This could include:
- losing your job
- benefits being stopped, including being sanctioned or failing a medical
- an emergency or disaster, such as a fire, flood or lost money
- a relationship breakdown
- having no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
What you can do
Check if you are eligible for a benefit advance, hardship payment or crisis payment.
Benefit advances and hardship payments may need to be paid back, so you should get advice before accessing either of these.
Who can help
Oldham Advice Service
Phone: 0800 033 4602
Income Maximisation Team
Phone: 0161 770 3434
Email: IMT@oldham.gov.uk
Crisis Payments
Phone: 0161 770 5468
Oldham Welfare Rights Service
Phone: 0161 770 6655
Ask for help with benefits
Jobcentre Plus
Phone: 0800 169 0190
I’m waiting for a payment or decision
This could include:
- making a new benefit claim
- a benefit being delayed
- waiting for a benefit decision to be reassessed
What you can do
Check if the claim is delayed or being reassessed.
Who can help
Oldham Advice Service
Phone: 0800 033 4602
Income Maximisation Team
Phone: 0161 770 3434
Email: IMT@oldham.gov.uk
Oldham Welfare Rights Service
Phone: 0161 770 6655
Ask for help with benefits
Jobcentre Plus
Phone: 0800 169 0190
My money does not stretch far enough
This could include:
- having to choose between food and fuel
- being on a low income or zero-hours contract
- not knowing if you are eligible to claim benefits
- a change in your circumstances
- being unsure how to manage your money or overspending
What you can do
Use budgeting support, benefit checks and energy advice.
Who can help
Oldham Advice Service
Phone: 0800 033 4602
Income Maximisation Team
Phone: 0161 770 3434
Email: IMT@oldham.gov.uk
Christians Against Poverty
Phone: 0800 328 0006
Oldham Energy Action Team
Phone: 0161 543 0000
Email: oldham@nea.org.uk
Crisis Payments
Phone: 0161 770 5468
Email: crisispaymentsupport@oldham.gov.uk
I have debt
This could include:
- rent, Council Tax, gas or electricity arrears
- payday or high-cost loans
- owing money to friends or family
- borrowing from a loan shark
- benefit repayments
What you can do
Get specialist debt advice for arrears or loans.
Who can help
Oldham Advice Service
Phone: 0800 033 4602
Christians Against Poverty
Phone: 0800 328 0006
Stop Loan Sharks
Phone: 0300 555 2222
I have other problems affecting how I manage my money
Other issues such as mental health, homelessness, addiction or gambling may be affecting your finances.
What you can do
Seek specialist advice and support.
Who can help
Turning Point
Phone: 0300 555 0234
Housing Options Oldham
Phone: 0161 770 4605
Email: housing.options@oldham.gov.uk
Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind
Phone: 0161 220 9223
NHS Northern Gambling Service
Phone: 0300 300 1490
Email: referral.ngs@nhs.net
Services and contact details
Oldham Advice Service
Offers free, confidential advice and support in one place.
They can advise and support you with:
- money worries
- welfare benefits
- debt
- energy bills
- housing
- employment
Contact
- Adviceline: 0800 033 4602, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
- Out of hours: 0161 850 5053, Monday to Friday, 6pm to 9pm.
Income Maximisation Team
The Income Maximisation Team can help residents identify benefits and financial support they may be missing out on.
The team can help with:
- benefit entitlement checks
- identifying ways to maximise household income
- support with benefit applications
Residents can contact the team directly, or referrals can be made on their behalf.
Contact
- Phone: 0161 770 3434
- Email: IMT@oldham.gov.uk
Age UK Oldham
Age UK Oldham works with the council to offer:
- financial support
- crisis grants
- benefit advice
- Warm Home support, including boiler replacement and repair schemes
- information and signposting for people over 50
Contact
- Phone: 0161 622 9277
- Email: info@ageukoldham.org.uk
Crisis Payments
Crisis Payments provide quick, short-term support focused on your immediate needs following a crisis.
Help can include:
- food and toiletries
- essential household items
- energy and fuel support
- essential travel support
The help offered depends on your circumstances.
Contact
- Phone: 0161 770 5468, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Email: crisispaymentsupport@oldham.gov.uk
Oldham Foodbank
Oldham Foodbank delivers food parcels containing 3 to 7 days’ worth of food if you live in the Oldham area.
They can help put residents in touch with relevant local agencies that issue foodbank vouchers.
This is a delivery-only service. You must have a foodbank voucher for Oldham Foodbank to deliver a food parcel.
Contact
- Phone: 0161 622 1061, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.
Oldham Welfare Rights Service
The service provides specialist welfare benefits advice for Oldham residents.
They can help with:
- challenging benefit decisions
- representation at appeal tribunals
- identifying and applying for benefits
Contact
- Phone: 0161 770 6655, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Ask for help with benefits
Stop Loan Sharks
Stop Loan Sharks provides:
- emotional help for anyone who has borrowed from a loan shark
- practical help if you are worried about someone else
Contact
Phone: 0300 555 2222.
Christians Against Poverty
Christians Against Poverty provides:
- free debt help and budgeting support
- help finding the best route out of debt
- support for anyone, regardless of faith
Contact
- Phone: 0800 328 0006 for appointments.
- Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 5pm, and Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Oldham Energy Action Team
The team provides:
- free, personalised advice on making your home more energy efficient and comfortable
- free home retrofit consultations
- help accessing funding for home improvements
- grant eligibility checks
Contact
- Phone: 0161 543 0000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Email: oldham@nea.org.uk
Housing Payments
Housing Payments provide extra financial help to Oldham residents who get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit but still cannot afford their housing costs.
Contact the Benefits team for help applying or to discuss outcomes.
Contact
- Phone: 0161 770 6633.
- Find out about Housing Payments
Disability Support
Oldham Council offers a range of extra financial support for people with disabilities.
Support includes:
See the council website for the financial support available to you.
Oldham Jobcentre Plus
Oldham Jobcentre Plus provides employment support and benefit services to jobseekers and claimants living across the Oldham borough.
It is a local point of contact for employment and welfare services.
Contact
Phone: 0800 169 0190, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Digital inclusion: social tariffs
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages available to people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits.
Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband. They are delivered in the same way as normal packages, but at a lower price.
You can apply for most tariffs online.
Check if your current provider offers a social tariff. If they do not, you can switch to a provider that does.
NHS Northern Gambling Service
The service provides specialist addiction therapy and recovery for people affected by gambling addiction.
Support is also available for people close to them.
Contact
- Phone: 0300 300 1490.
- Email: referral.ngs@nhs.net
Get Oldham Working
Get Oldham Working provides:
- support with CVs, job applications and interviews
- access to employability advisers
- skills training
- mental health services
- job opportunities
Contact
- Phone: 0161 770 4674, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Email: getoldhamworking@oldham.gov.uk
Housing Options Oldham
Housing Options provides advice and support for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Contact
- Phone: 0161 770 4605.
- Email: housing.options@oldham.gov.uk
Tenants of social housing
Registered social landlords provide many of the advice services described in this tool.
If you are a tenant, check with your housing provider first to find out what support they can offer.
They often have dedicated teams that can help with rent payments, setting up an affordable payment plan and finding extra support.
Contact your housing provider for local advice and support.