Financial Support in South Cambs

If you are in financial difficulty, there are a number of local and national schemes and organisations you can self-refer to, some providing advice about reducing your household costs and some offering financial assistance. These organisations are there to help and there’s no shame in finding it difficult to make ends meet – many people are struggling.

Local Support & Information

South Cambs District Council

South Cambs District Council’s website is a good place to start – there’s a huge amount of information that is regularly updated about different grants and schemes that can help if you are facing financial difficulty. Click on links below for information about specific sources of support:

• Fuel, energy and utilities
• Advice & support with money
• Food & essentials
• Families and parents

Cambridge & District Citizens Advice

Cambridge & District Citizens Advice is your independent local advice charity, here to help you with your problems and concerns – such as debt, benefits, work, relationships and more – all totally free and in total confidence.

For more info click here.  Or speak to the team by calling 0808 278 7808. Face to face appointments are by pre-booked appointment only, and can be held at the main offices on Devonshire Road in Cambridge or at one of their community locations – including Bar Hill Hub.

Support with Debt & Benefits

You can contact Cambridge & District Citizens Advice (see above) if you’d like to make an appointment to see someone face-to-face.

The national charity Step Change offers free debt advice based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation. They’ll then provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed. You can get debt advice online or over the phone by calling 0800 138 1111, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.

Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. The website has a benefits calculator where you can check what benefits you may be entitled by clicking here. You can also search what national grants you may be able to access by clicking here.

If you are unable to get online and need support, you can contact their helpline on 0808 802 2000, 9.00am – 5.00pm Mondays-Fridays. Please note that Turn2us are not able give you financial advice.

Specialist support for older adults

For older people facing financial difficulties who require information and advice or extra support to access services, Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough may be able help. They offer support through their advice line or an in-person visiting support at home service. For more info click here or call 0300 666 9860.

Foodbanks & Hubs

South Cambs has a number of foodbanks for emergency food and essentials parcels (for which you need a professional referral) and food hubs/projects that don’t need a referral and are open to anyone. Find out more here.

Warm Hubs

A place to stay warm and connected, volunteers who work in Warm Hubs are trained to signpost sources of support – find your nearest South Cambs Warm Hub here.