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 information that is regularly updated about different grants, schemes and entitlements that can help if you are facing financial difficulty. Find out more on the links below:

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

South Cambs District Council’s Housing Advice team can also advise you if you are struggling to cover your essential expenses and living costs, whether your home is at risk because of your financial situation or not. The team can work with you to assess your situation and ensure you are getting all the grants, discounts and benefits you are entitled to. They can also signpost you to debt advice and help you manage your household budget. Click on this link to request an appointment or ask a health or social care professional to fill out the form on your behalf.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice is an independent local advice charity, which can help you with a range of problems and concerns – such as debt, benefits, work, relationships and more – all totally free and in total confidence. For details of local sessions and how to book an appointment, click on this link.

Support with Debt & Benefits

As well as Citizens Advice (see above), 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.

Community Hubs & Village Agents

Run within existing community spaces throughout South Cambs, Community Hubs provide a free, safe and friendly environment in which to connect with others. The Village Agents and volunteers who run the Community Hubs can help signpost you to local support. Find out more here.

NHS Social Prescribing Link Workers

If you feel that your financial situation is affecting your health and wellbeing, you can ask your GP surgery for a referral to a Social Prescribing Link Worker. Social Prescribing Link Workers work with people to connect them to activities, groups and services in their community to meet practical, social and emotional needs – including helping you with any housing and financial concerns. It is a free service, available to adult patients registered with GP surgeries in South Cambridgeshire. Find out more here.