Money
Now is more important than ever to keep track of your money. We’re being encourage to make contactless transactions and avoid using cash wherever possible.
Online banking is a great, free and safe way of keeping an eye on your money without needing to visit a bank branch or waiting in phone queues.
If you’re worried about money there are a lot of great support services available.
Turn2us
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations.
Link: www.turn2us.org.uk
StepChange
StepChange are a team of debt experts helping 650,000 people a year to deal with their debt problems. With 25 years' experience, you can be confident that StepChange can provide the advice and support you need to achieve long-term financial control.
StepChange offer free debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation. They'll then provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed.
Link: www.stepchange.org
Money Saving Expert
Martin Lewis has been at the forefront of providing financial advice throughout the pandemic.
His website MoneySavingExpert.com is the UK's biggest consumer website, with about 16 million users a month.
The site's dedicated to cutting your bills and fighting your corner with journalistic research, cutting-edge tools and a massive community – all focused on finding deals, saving cash and campaigning for financial justice.
Link: www.moneysavingexpert.com
Benefits information available via WhatsApp
People can now access the most up-to-date benefits and support information via their smart phones, using WhatsApp.
The service, which can be accessed by sending ‘Hi’ in a WhatsApp message to 07860 064 422, has been launched to help combat the spread of incorrect information and to make the correct information easily accessible.
The GOV.UK service currently has more than 312,000 unique users, and has sent more than 2.6 million messages since its launch on 25 March 2020.
DWP is one of the first government departments to provide information via the service which includes information on benefits support available, how to check if you are eligible and how to apply.
Money Advice Service
The spread of coronavirus, also called COVID-19, in the UK and across the world could have implications for your work, benefits and travel plans.
This guide will look at your rights to sick pay, what benefits you can claim if you’re self-employed or not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). This page will help you find out what help is available to you based on your circumstances.
- Employed
- Self employed
- Your money
- Car finance payments
- Housing costs
- Your bills
- Coronavirus if you have children
- Moving home
- Travel insurance
- Pensions
- Scams
Link: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you