Money Matters

How to contact the Money Matters team

If you are a CHS tenant and need information, advice or support with any of the Money Matters topics listed below please email us at moneyadvice@chsgroup.org.uk with your contact details and a brief description about your issue and one of our Money Matters Advisor will contact you to see how we can help.

moneyadvice@chsgroup.org.uk

We understand that everybody’s situation is different which is why we try to make sure the same Money Matters Advisor sees you each time.

Over the last year, 429 CHS tenants used our service. We helped them to increase their income and cope with the cost of living crisis by applying for grants or additional benefits.

What’s more, they tell us they are much less anxious and worried about their situation. Our Money Matters service is open to all CHS customers and we are able to provide advice and support over the phone, via email and through home visits.

If you would prefer to use other services, you may want to try: Stepchange on 0800 138 1111 National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 For general advice contact the Citizens Advice Bureau To read what our clients say about our service click here

Find the latest 2024-25 benefits rate leaflet

CHS is accredited with the matrix Standard money and employment advice services. The matrix Standard is a unique quality standard for organisations to assess and measure their advice and support services, which ultimately supports individuals in their choice of career, learning, work and life goals.

CHS can advise and support you in many ways:

Welfare benefits and tax credits

Help you to understand the Benefits system
Check to see what benefits you are entitled to
Help you to apply for benefits
Support with filling in benefit forms such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment PIP), Attendance Allowance (AA) Pension Credit (PC), Employment & Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC), Carers Allowance (CA) etc.

Budgeting and Debt

Look at your budget with you
Clarify priority and non-priority spending and debts
Identify areas where you can reduce your expenditure and increase your income
Identify the types of debt solution options, such as debt management plans, Debt Relief Orders, IVA, Bankruptcy etc. We are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority to do this (no. 674181)
Signpost you to FREE specialist Debt Advice Services, such as Citizens Advice, Stepchange, National Debt Line etc.

Money Savers information

Switching energy tariff or supplier
Water social tariffs
Broadband and phone package social tariffs
Re-cycled furniture and white goods
Home Contents Insurance
Fee free basic bank accounts

Financial assistance

Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS)
Local, regional and national charities
Identify any government help available

Signposting to other appropriate projects and support, if eligible

Training, volunteering and employment
Digital inclusion
Floating Support

Managing your budget

If you are struggling to manage your household bills then there are a few ways you can try to help you feel more in control of your money. Completing a simple budget plan is the best way to do this. You may also want to:

Keep a spending diary. Check if what you actually spend matches what you think you spend
Use a calendar or diary to note down when payments are due as it may be possible to change payment dates so that they are in line with when you receive your money
Shop around for cheaper electricity and gas tariffs
Consider getting a water meter installed if you don’t use much water as it means you will only get charged for the water you use
Check out practical ideas, tips and advice on how to make your money go further through Making Money Count. If you still find that you do not have enough to cover all your outgoings then please contact our Money Matters Advisors who will be happy to look at your circumstances with you and try and help you to maximise your income by budgeting

If you would like develop your own household budget you may want to try this online budget planning tool.