Financial Advice
- Are you feeling the effects of the credit crunch?
- Do you not know where to turn for help and advice?
On this page you'll find some useful resources to help you through the current economic downturn, including help with employment, dealing with money and debt, keeping a business afloat, keeping your home and what you can do for free in the Lancaster district.
National and Regional Resources
For information and help on the recession and economic downturn please see the central government websites Real Help Now, Direct Gov and Business Link.
For more specific information relating to Lancashire and the Lancaster district, please see the Lancashire County Council recession website, Find your way.
You can also download the Real Help for the North West document (PDF 611K) from the Real Help Now website.
Keeping Your Home - The Mortgage Rescue Scheme
The Mortgage Rescue scheme may help if you are having serious difficulties making your mortgage repayments and are in danger of becoming homeless if repossessed. Find out if you are eligible for help to stay in your home and how the scheme works:
Mortgage Rescue Scheme - Advice from DirectGov
Alternatively you can contact a housing advisor by emailing our customer services team or calling 01524 582257.
Mortgage support
Support for Mortgage Interest may help you with your mortgage interest repayments to enable you stay in your home if you've been on certain benefits for 13 weeks or more.
Homeowners Mortgage Support could help if your household has had a temporary, unexpected drop in income. You could be eligible to delay some of the interest repayments for up to two years.
Visit Direct Gov homeowners mortgage support for further information.
Buying a home
For help on buying a home on your own or with others, finding the right mortgage, information on home ownership schemes and advice for first time buyers, visit the Direct Gov advice for first time buyers website.
HomeBuy is the government’s low cost home ownership scheme. It enables social tenants, key workers and first-time buyers to buy a share of a home and get onto the housing ladder.
Plumlife is the HomeBuy agent for the north west, specialising in shared and low cost home ownership, plus affordable homes to rent now and buy later.
Help from Lancaster City Council
Details of help, support and free services provided by the council.
Help with your rent and council tax
Did you know that you can claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit if you are working and on a low wage?
For further information on these benefits and your entitlement, please follow the links above, call 01524 582965, or email benefits@lancaster.gov.uk
District-wide Handyperson Scheme
If you live in your own home you can apply for assistance from the Handyperson Scheme. You, and if applicable, your partner, must be aged 60 or over, or alternatively, you and/or your partner have to be receiving either Disabled Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.
The handyperson is able to carry out minor repairs around the home, such as: easing doors, windows, fixing dripping taps, fixing loose carpet, fixing broken curtain rails, fitting keysafes, grabrails and handrails. There is no charge for labour, no call out charge, but the household would be required to purchase any materials required.
Home Maintenance Assistance
This service provides free Home Maintenance Inspections for homeowners who are aged over 60 or are disabled, providing advice on housing related issues.
The standard service involves a property inspection followed by a report. Additional assistance may include: help dealing with contractors, and obtaining and assessing estimates.
Caseworker Service
The Caseworker Service aims to help homeowners live independently, helping to consider current and future housing needs. The standard service involves a visit to determine clients needs followed by a tailored information pack. Additional assistance could include liasing with other organisations/agencies and help applying to charities to raise finances to carry out home repairs.
Energy Grants
There are numerous grants available to enable house alterations with energy saving in mind. These range from insulation installation, to personal energy production in the form of small wind turbines and solar panels.
If you receive certain benefits you may be eligible for a Warm Front Grant of up to £3500 worth of insulation and heating improvements. To find out more visit the Warm Front website or freephone 0800 3162805.
For more information pay a visit to the Energy Saving Trust or see our Sustainable Living page.
Free National bus pass
If you are over 60 or disabled you may be entitled to a free bus pass. This will allow you to travel anywhere in England on any local bus, for free.
For full details, and to apply for your NoWcard, visit www.nowcard.org.
Homelessness
If you're under threat of losing your home then we can help with advice and support in finding a new one.
Jobs
For information about vacancies at Lancaster City Council please visit our jobs pages.
Help into work
Want to work but need some support and advice? Find out about our Positive Steps into Work programme.
Business advice and support
For links to support available for businesses please visit our business advice page.
Play Rangers
Did you know that Lancaster City Council runs free activity sessions for children aged four to 16 every week? Visit our Play Rangers page for more information.
Useful Websites
There are many other organisations which may be able to provide help, support and advice to help you through the credit crunch.
Directgov 'Real Help Now' campaign - Practical information, advice and help with keeping your home, with training and skills, and with jobs and benefits.
Citizens Advice Bureau - impartial advice on issues such as coping with debt.
Digital TV help scheme - The television digital switchover in the UK is underway and in the Lancaster district it will happen between October and December 2009. Eligible people can get a Freeview set top box installed on one of their TVs at a subsidised cost of £40, or free if they also get income benefits.