You might find that your income has stopped for one of the following reasons:
- lost job or reduced hours
- lost money or unexpected costs
- disaster such as a flood or fire
- relationship split
- money stopped (for example a failed medical)
- sanctioned
- other
If this has happened, you can get help and advice from a range of different organisations.
Council support schemes
You may be able to claim financial support and benefits, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Housing Support Fund
- Discretionary Housing Payment
- Council Tax Hardship Scheme
Maximise your income
If you are struggling with money, you can get a benefit check and speak to an advisor for free and confidential advice.
A benefit check can make sure that you are receiving all the money that you should, especially if your circumstances have changed recently.
Speaking to an advisor could also help you manage your gas and electricity bills and make sure you’re not missing out on things like school clothing grants or free school meals.
Who to contact
Citizens Advice Sheffield
Advice on benefits, debt, housing and more.
View Citizens Advice Sheffield
Zest Advice Sessions
Advice on welfare, benefits, tax credits, employment and training (support for wellbeing and mental health).
Firvale Community Hub
Advice on benefits, housing and more.
Hardship payment
If you have been sanctioned, you may be able to request a hardship payment from the Job Centre. Hardship payments are not always paid straight away, and they’re not available to everyone.
Hardship payments of Universal Credit are loans and need to be paid back. But hardship payments of Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance are not loans, and don’t need to be paid back.
Who to contact
Citizens Advice Sheffield
Advice on benefits, debt, housing and more.
View Citizens Advice Sheffield
Challenge a decision
You can challenge a benefit decision if your benefit has been:
- stopped
- sanctioned
- reduced
- refused or you have been overpaid
Most benefit decisions need to be challenged within one month.
Who to contact
Citizens Advice Sheffield
Advice on benefits, debt, housing and more.
View Citizens Advice Sheffield
Zest Advice Sessions
Advice on welfare, benefits, tax credits, employment and training (support for wellbeing and mental health).