Financial support

Find out about the financial support available for residents.

Benefits and Cost of Living Payments

For more information on Welfare Benefits and related support including Council Tax and Housing Benefits, please visit the benefits and support page.

Household Support Fund

Guidance on small grant assistance for low-income households, and how to access it: Household support fund | Redcar and Cleveland (redcar-cleveland.gov.uk)

Cost of Living Payment

Guidance on getting an extra payment to help with the Cost of Living if you are entitled to certain benefits or tax credits: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Support with Managing Debt and Budgeting

Illegal Money Lending Team

Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK. 

If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, they are here to help and keep you safe.

Their specially trained staff will provide you with emotional and practical support that is tailored to your needs.

They can be contacted 24/7 on 0300 555 2222 or alternatively you can start a Live Chat with them via their website (link below). This service is available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. 

Contact the Illegal Money Lending team at:

Citizens Advice Bureau

A network of independent charities offering confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person for free.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ 

0800 144 8848

More information on managing debt and money concerns is available on the Citizens Advice website.

National Debt Line

Charity for free debt, budgeting, and more financial advice over the phone or online.

0808 808 4000

More information is available at: https://www.nationaldebtline.org/

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit, and debt.

More information is available at: https://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/

The helpline is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm on 0800 043 40 50.

StepChange Debt Charity

Free, flexible debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation, after which they will provide practical help and support for however long it is needed.

StepChange's online debt advice tool will give you debt advice tailored to your situation. You'll need to give details of your debts, income, and spending to use the tool.

More information is available at: https://www.stepchange.org/

Tully

Works with lenders and service providers to help people get the payment arrangements that work for them.

Tully helps you put together a free, accurate budget online. Once your budget is complete, they'll share it with your lender or supplier. It will show how much you have coming in and going out each month, so your lender or supplier can offer you the best support.

Visit the Tully website for more information.

Local Groups offering Financial Support and Advice

Cleveland Housing Advice Centre

16 Borough Road

Middlesbrough

TS1 5DW

South Bank Office Telephone: 01642 254544

A charity that provides one to one advice, lay advocacy, and representation in all aspects of welfare benefits, housing, and debt issues along with the various spin-off problems arising from them such as repossessions, evictions, domestic violence, poverty, and distress.

The charity also provides on the job training for residents who are both socially and economically excluded from the labour market.

More information can be found at: https://www.chac92.co.uk/

Future Regeneration of Grangetown (FROG)

Grangetown United Community Hub

Derwentwater Road

Grangetown

Middlesbrough

TS6 7PY

Telephone: 01642 467598

Since 1998, FROG has delivered training and employment projects, improved open space and provided community transport that now creates local employment through contracts with NEAS and Redcar and Cleveland Council through home to School runs.

They provide services such as: employment opportunities for local residents, home to school transport as well as to and from hospital appointments as well as advice and casework projects.

More information can be found at: https://frog-grangetown.org.uk/

England Illegal Money Lending Team

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is a specialist unit with a remit to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders – also known as loan sharks. The team also provides specialist support to victims and communities affected by this crime.

If you are worried about a friend or family member who is being taken advantage of by a loan shark, please contact Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 for support or visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You can find safety tips to protect yourself from loan sharks in the document below: