Help with Debt from Citizens Advice

I’m worried about my debt and rising bills, and I want to know what support is available. Do you have any advice on managing rising costs and what to do if you fall into debt?

With energy, water and broadband bills on the rise, it’s getting increasingly difficult for many people to cover their expenses. It’s important to know you’re not alone in finding things difficult and that financial support might be available to help ease the burden.

Checking benefits eligibility

A significant number of eligible people don’t claim the benefits that are available to them, so it’s important to understand what you’re entitled to. You may be able to claim benefits if, for example, you’re at working age and on a low income, you’re sick or disabled, are of State Pension age with a low income or no income, or if you’re a carer.

You can check the Citizens Advice website for information on what benefits you might be eligible for.

Reducing outgoings

If you claim benefits or are on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction in Council Tax. Discounts can also be given to students, those living with a carer, or people who live alone, to name some examples. If you have children and claim certain benefits, or are on a low income, you may qualify for free school meals, transport to school, or support with the cost of uniform.

Your local council may be able to help you pay for things like energy and water bills, food or other essential costs. This is called ‘welfare assistance’ or the ‘Household Support Fund’. Each council runs its own scheme, so you’ll need to contact your local authority to see what type of support you can get.

To reduce other expenses, you may be able to switch to a cheaper broadband deal, get a water meter fitted, or access discounted travel options. Find out more about ways to get help, including advice on saving money heating your home, on the Citizens Advice website.

Creating a budget and prioritising bills

If you’re finding it difficult to stay on top of bills, budgeting tools like the one on the MoneyHelper website can be very useful in helping you understand what money you have coming in and going out each month. If you’re behind on bills, you should prioritise paying rent, mortgage payments, Council Tax and energy bills, as these are known as ‘priority’ debts which have the most serious consequences if missed.

Once you’ve got priority debts under control, you should look at credit card or store card debts, missed Buy Now Pay Later payments or payday loans. Whatever debt you’re dealing with, it’s important to speak to the person or company you owe money to as early as you can. You could show them a copy of your budget to let them know what your financial situation is and then see if there are any steps you can take to start dealing with your debt.

Just remember, there’s lots of help out there and you’re not alone. If you feel you need support with this, get in touch with your Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire on 08082787942. Alternatively, you can email your query to: outreach@citizensadvicemidlincs.org.uk or attend one of our face to face drop in sessions.

For information about our service, drop in opening times and how we can help you, please take a look at our website www.camidlincs.org.uk

If you would like to support Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire, you can do so by scanning the QR code. Your donations will allow us to continue to help more people within our community.

Kirton Church Fund

The May draw takes place on Sunday 25th and the winning numbers will be printed in the July magazine.

Our March winners, both numbers have had previous wins. Congratulations to both of them.

Having now received the books back after their annual audit I have again checked through them to update you on the winning streaks as promised. In all since the beginning of last year we have had 24 different numbers winning with 6 of them winning twice! We have had several first time winners during that time.

Since we started the draw in June 2012 we have paid out £8102.15 in prize money and had a total of 93 different winning numbers with 84 of those winning more than once.

Currently we have 53 numbers played by 37 members as one member has now withdrawn. Only a four members are waiting for their first win. The other members have all won at least once and many have won several times.

Come and join us and you too could win. As the saying goes you have to be in it to win it and as you can see there is a very good chance of winning.

Kirton Church Fund is one way we raise money for the church. You could help us do this and be in with a chance of winning the monthly draw. We have plenty of room for more members Anyone over 18 may take part. It’s still only £5 a number each month as it was when we started way back in June 2012. Not much else has stayed the same price since then! Most of the members pay annually (£60), some pay £30 for 6 months, some £15 for 3 months or you can of course pay the £5 monthly if you wish. The choice is yours. You can also have more than one number as our first prize winner has. Anyone over 18 may take part. The more people that take part the higher the prize money and the more money we raise for the church. Registration forms are available from Fay, please ring 01205 723529, or pick up a form from the back of the church or from Paula’s Gifts on Station Road. If you would like more information please give Fay a ring.

March 025 Winners

1st PRIZE - £49.69 - TICKET NUMBER: 86
2nd PRIZE - £16.56 - TICKET NUMBER: 42

Data protection. All information (name, address and phone number) of Kirton Church Fund members is held solely for the purpose of managing Kirton Church Fund and is not passed on to any other organisation or used for any other purpose.

Meet The Locals

This month we're meeting Rachel Theobald, director of Curo-Lincs!

We run a therapy farm and farm rescue centre. All our animals are free range and our project is run by the community. Everything is built and decorated by people who come to visit.

We aspire to improve people, young and old, with their wellbeing and mental health.

We offer carers groups, craft groups, mental health workshops, home education groups, functional skills, Animal Care courses and life skills including cooking and budgeting.

Our new project is a food pantry which is open to all. This is a warm hub offering Autism support, menopause group and crafts.

Volunteer opportunities are always available.

We also offer resilience support on either a one to one basis or within small groups.

We have therapy dogs that can visit local schools and our farm animals can visit too, if there is an outside area.

With so many types of sessions available, get in touch if you'd like to book. We also have a Facebook page - Curo-lincs.

Book via admin@curo-lincs.co.uk or call 07432102451.