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Get financial help and advice

Find out what organisations can help you if you are struggling with debt.
Universal Credit this year

Every five to six years, the calendar makes it so we have 53 Mondays instead of the usual 52. This coming financial year, 2024 / 2025, is one of those special years.

If you get Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions will only pay for 52 weeks of your rent in a year. In a 53 week financial year, this means there will be one week of rent that will not be covered by Universal Credit.

Find out what we're doing to help and what to do if you're affected and already struggling with the cost of living.

These organisations can give you free, confidential and impartial debt advice.

Lewisham Plus Credit Union

Lewisham Plus Credit Union (LPCU) is a financial cooperative owned by its members. LPCU can help you:

  • open a credit union current account
  • start a savings account
  • with personal budget
  • with loans.

Call 020 8778 4738 or 020 8461 4721 or email admin@pluscu.co.uk.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can give you advice about:

  • dealing with debt
  • reducing your living costs
  • paying fines and arrears.

Find your nearest Citizens Advice centre or call 03444 111 444.

Money Advice Service

The Government set up Money Advice Service to offer free, independent financial advice. Call 030 0500 5000.

National Debtline

Get free, confidential advice from National Debtline. Call 0808 808 4000.

Community Advice Works

Community Advice Works offers advice on:

  • benefits
  • debt
  • employment

Call 020 7732 9716.

Lewisham Disability Coalition

Lewisham Disability Coalition offers advice to people who live, work or study in Lewisham who:

  • have a disability or long-term health condition
  • care for or live with someone with a disability.

They provide advice on:

  • housing
  • debt
  • benefits.

Call 0208 697 0100 or email info@ldcadvice.co.uk.

Lewisham Multilingual Advice Service

Lewisham Multilingual Advice Service offers advice on welfare and debt to people who live in the borough and have English as a second language. Call 020 8314 5777 or email admin@lmlas.co.uk.

Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network

Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network helps refugees, asylum seekers and migrant communities in the borough. They offer advice on:

  • benefits
  • homelessness
  • housing
  • debt issues.

Call 020 8694 0323 or email info@lrmn.org.uk.

Published on: 14/09/2023