If you’ve found yourself with no money, please remember you’re not alone. This can happen to anyone, and often for reasons beyond your control.
- Losing your job
- Your benefits being stopped or delayed
- An emergency such as a fire, flood or losing money
- A relationship breakdown
- Having no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
Crisis and Resilience Fund
Support for Oldham residents who face sudden financial shocks and can’t afford essentials and providing long-term help to improve financial stability and resilience.
Benefit advances and hardship payments
If you’re waiting for your first benefit payment, you may be able to get an advance. This does need to be paid back.
If you have no money because of a sanction, you may be able to claim a hardship payment through the Jobcentre. Universal Credit hardship payments must be repaid, but JSA and ESA hardship payments do not.
It’s a good idea to get advice before applying for help.
Challenging a decision
If your benefit has been stopped, reduced or sanctioned and you think this is wrong, you can challenge the decision.
Most challenges must be made within one month, though you may have up to 13 months if you have a good reason for the delay.
Benefits check
A benefits check can help make sure you're receiving everything you’re entitled to and can support you with new claims.
Healthy Start vouchers
If you’re pregnant or have a child under four, you may be able to get Healthy Start vouchers to help with food, milk and vitamins.
Debt
If your debts are building up, you don’t have to deal with everything alone. Support is available to help you understand your options and take back control.
- Rent, Council Tax, gas or electricity arrears
- Payday loans or money owed to friends or family
- Benefit repayments
Energy advice
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, you may be able to get help to reduce your costs, apply for a Warm Home Discount, or access grants.
Help with Council Tax
If you’re on a low income, live alone, or have a disability, you may be able to get money off your Council Tax.
Waiting on a payment or decision
If you’re waiting for your first benefit payment or a decision has taken longer than expected, you may be able to get an advance. These payments usually need to be repaid.
- You’ve made a new claim
- Your benefit payment has been delayed
- Your benefit decision is being reviewed
Hardship payments
If you have no money because of a sanction, you may be able to apply for a hardship payment. Universal Credit hardship payments must be repaid, but JSA and ESA hardship payments do not.
Budgeting
Money Helper
Making a monthly Universal Credit payment stretch can feel difficult. Creating a simple household budget can help you feel more in control.
- Budgeting for a monthly benefit payment - Money Helper website
Ask Bill
Ask Bill is a free service offering clear and impartial advice on managing your energy costs, household bills and everyday money worries.
Support
Citizens Advice
- Phone: 08082 787803
Welfare Rights Service
Christians Against Poverty
- Phone: 0800 328 0006
Warm Homes
- Phone: 0800 019 1084