I’m struggling financially
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
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 Sunday, 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
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.
- Contact the Welfare Rights Service
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.
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
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 Sunday, 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
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.
- Contact the Welfare Rights Service
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.
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
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 Sunday, 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
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.
National Energy Action (Oldham 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
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
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 Sunday, 6pm to 9pm.
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.
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.
I have other problems affecting how I manage my money
Other issues may be affecting how you manage your money.
What you can do
Seek specialist advice and support.
Who can help
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.
Oldham Food Bank
Oldham Food Bank can:
- deliver food parcels containing 3 to 7 days’ worth of food if you live in the Oldham area
- help put residents in touch with relevant local agencies that issue food bank vouchers
This is a delivery-only service.
Contact
Phone: 0161 622 1061, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.
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
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
Tenants of social housing
Registered social landlords provide many of the advice services described throughout this tool.
Providers often have dedicated teams to help with rent payments, setting up an affordable payment plan and signposting extra support.
Contact your housing provider for local advice and support.
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.
Looking for more support?
Visit the Financial Support Service Directory to explore a wide range of financial support services available in Oldham, including those featured in this tool and many more.