Visit our benefits pages for information on the types of benefits you could be eligible for. You can use an independent benefit calculator to give you an estimate.
Benefit and money advice
Our benefit and money advice service is here to give free and confidential advice on all welfare benefits and day-to-day money management.
We can:
- give help and advice to Cheltenham residents, whether you are renting or own your home. If you are struggling to afford your rent or mortgage you could be putting your home at risk
- suggest simple budgeting tips, energy advice and can carry out a benefit check-up
Visit our benefit and money advice pages for more information.
If you are a Cheltenham Borough Council housing services tenant, you can directly contact the benefit and money advice team for assistance.
Check you’re not one of up to 7 million people in the UK missing out on income-related state benefits
An estimated £15bn of benefits are believed to go unclaimed each year. Use a free benefits calculator to find out what you could be entitled to.
Or contact Citizens Advice Cheltenham for one-to-one help to do this.
If you are turned down for a benefit, seek advice on whether to challenge the decision. Many benefit decisions are overturned, and organisations like Citizens Advice can offer advice about challenges.
Crisis and Resilience Fund
The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) provides support for residents experiencing sudden financial hardship, such as difficulty affording food, fuel, essential household items, or emergency living costs.
Find out more, including how to get support, by visiting the Gloucestershire County Council website.
Cheltenham Borough Council administers part of the CRF for housing payments. For more information please visit our benefits page.
Get help with childcare costs
Over one million families are missing out on up to £2,000 a year towards childcare costs – check what help you could get. Use this calculator to find out how much you could get towards approved childcare, including: free childcare for children aged between two and four help with childcare costs if your child is under 16 (or under 17 and disabled).
Cutting costs around broadband costs
Broadband is essential for many people now working from home and can be a significant monthly cost for households.
If you are looking to reduce your broadband costs or struggling to pay there is a range of helpful advice on the Ofcom website.
If you are claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits you could be eligible for ‘Social Tariffs’ that cost less than normal packages. The Ofcom website has information on ‘Social Tariffs’.
Worrying about money?
Advice and support is available if you're struggling to make ends meet. Visit the Worrying About Money website or download their Worrying About Money leaflet to find advice and support specific to your needs.
Stop Loan Sharks
Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK. If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, they're here to help and keep you safe.
You can also check if a moneylender is registered, and report an illegal moneylender on GOV.UK.
Government support
You may get a payment to help with the cost of living if you're getting certain benefits or tax credits.
Visit the government 'Help for Households' hub to see what other cost of living support you could be eligible for.