Maximising Your Income

Increasing your income, even by small amounts, can make a big difference to your situation. To ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to please see the advice below.

If you still have further questions or would like or need further help and advice, please contact help@oceanhousing.com or call 01726 874450 and a Financial Inclusion advisor will give you a call back.

Universal Credit is for working age people and is a payment to help with your living costs. To check if you are eligible visit www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

The Citizens Advice Help to Claim Service will support you with your claim for Universal Credit, from application through to your first full payment. It’s free, confidential and impartial. Call for free on 0800 1448 444.

Council Support Schemes are for people on low incomes who may be eligible for housing benefit and/or council tax support. You may also be eligible for discretionary help such as exceptional relief, a discretionary housing payment or a crisis and care payment. For more information visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/benefits-and-support

Disability Cornwall & Isles of Scilly offers advice on rights and entitlements with practical support for people with long-term conditions, disabilities and families. For more information visit
www.disabilitycornwall.org.uk or telephone 01736 759500.

Pension Credit provides extra retirement income if you’re on a low income, but one in three people who are entitled to it don’t claim it. Check if you are one of them, as you could be missing out on over £3,300 of extra income a year. For more information visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

Could a credit union be good for you? Credit unions are non-profit organisations that offer an alternative to traditional bank and building societies. They encourage you to save what you can and borrow only what you can afford to repay. They offer:

• Lower rates on loans and credit cards
• Have more forgiving qualification standards
• Higher rates on savings accounts

Credit unions provide a financial community where members mutually benefit as there is no profit for a third-party shareholder, this ensures safer lending. You can find out more by visiting, Westcountry Saving Credit Union at www.westcountry.org.uk or call 0800 3047041 or for Kernow Credit Union visit www.kernowcreditunion.co.uk or 01209 314449.

Calling all shared owners! If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, or you want to make sure that you stay in control of your payments and not run into trouble, please check out
www.citizensadvice.org.uk, following the links for debt and money to managing your mortgage.