Managing Money
In this section you will find information about the services and support available for residents of Newport to help with the managing money and debt. By the end of this section, you will know:
- What support is available
- Who to contact
- Who to speak to for more information
Breathing Space
Debt Respite Scheme
Breathing space is a government scheme designed to give you time to receive debt advice and find a solution to sort out your debt problems. There are two kinds of breathing space.
- Standard Breathing Space is where most creditors will have to stop collection and enforcement of your debts. Creditors will also have to freeze interest and charges on any eligible debts.
- Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space can provide extra protection for people who are receiving mental health crisis treatment.
To apply you must speak to a Debt Advisor.
For more information and eligibility visit: www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/breathing-space
You can find a free Debt Advisor on: www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Christians Against Poverty
If you’re looking for help, whether that’s helping to get out of debt, find a job or gain vital life skills, Christians Against Poverty provides a range of free professional services across the UK through local churches.
Tel: 01274 760720
Webpage: https://capuk.org
Step Change Debt Charity
Offer a wide range of debt solutions to help, no matter what you are dealing with.
Webpage: www.stepchange.org
Riverside Advice
Mathew Ford is the local Newport advisor and is based at The Hive, Stow Hill
Riverside Advice is a charity – the oldest welfare benefits advice charity in Cardiff – that provides free support with the following:
- Applying for benefits and challenging sanctions and discrepancies.
- Appealing benefit decisions all the way to tribunal.
- Completing benefit checks to ensure you are receiving everything that you are entitled to.
- Applying for white goods and furniture.
- Housing and rogue landlord advice.
- Debt and arrears advice, including, if there is no other option, applying for Debt Relief Orders or bankruptcy (Riverside Advice has a fund to pay for bankruptcy fees).
- Issuing Foodbank Vouchers and Fuel Vouchers.
Based at The Hive in Newport City Centre (10 Stow Hill, Newport. NP20 1JB) on a Tuesday afternoon from 14:00 and Fridays from 09:30 until closing.
Alternatively please email: all.info@riverside-advice.co.uk
Money Helper
A Government backed scheme offering free information and advice on a wide range of money topics including benefits, family & care, money troubles, savings, everyday money, homes, pensions & retirement and work.
Tel: 0800 138 7777
WhatsApp: 07701 342744
Webpage: www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Smart Money Cymru Community Bank
Smart Money Cymru is a Community Bank offering financial services to the people of Wales. Compared to a high street bank, their values, mission and visions are very different. To help local community who are part of Smart Money Cymru, to help them save or borrow money, and to be smarter with their financial decisions.
Trusted over payday loan sharks, as they are not for profit. Suitable for people who may have poor credit ratings. Also have affordable loans for household goods.
Phone: 02920883751
Email: info@smartmoneycymru.co.uk
www.smartmoneycymru.co.uk/home
Webpage: www.newportcreditunion.co.uk
Ongoing Support
Newport City Council do offer various drop in surgeries to chat with the Cost of Living Teams about your specific situation and how they can best support you. Please have a look at their Facebook page, that is regularly updated with information on these sessions.
Facebook: Newport City Council
Alternatively you can make an appointment with one of their team via this email address: costofliving@newport.gov.uk
