Housing
Rent or mortgage, eviction and homelessness risks.
Money and cost of living
Start with the most urgent bill
Simple guidance and free tools for budgeting, debt, benefits, bills and consumer problems. Inspired by the clarity of leading consumer-help sites, with a local community focus and original wording.
No money for food, energy or housing today?Prioritise safety, food, housing and energy. Contact the council’s welfare/cost-of-living service and a free debt adviser. Do not use a high-cost lender to cover an ongoing shortfall.
Energy and council tax
Contact providers early and ask about affordable arrangements and support.
Food and essentials
Use emergency food and local welfare routes.
Other debts
Get free advice before agreeing payments you cannot sustain.
Budgeting
A budget that reflects real life
Use actual statements
Look at the last two or three months of bank statements, not guessed figures.
Separate essentials
List housing, council tax, energy, food, travel, childcare and medication before subscriptions and discretionary spending.
Include irregular costs
Add annual insurance, school costs, birthdays, car repairs and other expenses as a monthly amount.
Decide one action
Cancel, switch, negotiate, claim support or seek debt advice. A budget is useful only when it leads to a next step.
Debt
Do not treat every debt the same
List every balance
Record creditor, balance, interest, minimum payment, arrears and whether court or enforcement action has started.
Identify priority debts
Housing, council tax, energy, court fines and some secured debts can have more serious consequences than ordinary credit cards or loans.
Protect essential spending
Do not offer creditors money that leaves the household without food, rent, energy or travel to work.
Use free regulated advice
A free adviser can check benefits, affordability and formal or informal debt options. Avoid firms charging upfront fees for help available free.
Income support
Check entitlement before cutting essentials
Run a benefits calculation
Use accurate income, savings, rent, childcare and household information.
Check council support separately
Council Tax Reduction, local welfare help and discretionary housing payments may require separate applications.
Prepare evidence
Keep payslips, benefit letters, rent statement, childcare costs, bank statements and disability or caring evidence.
Challenge decisions promptly
Read the decision letter and deadline. Ask for advice where entitlement is refused or the calculation looks wrong.
Benefits calculators
Official GOV.UK list of independent calculators.
Open official service →Lewisham support
Search the council website for benefits, Council Tax support and cost-of-living help.
Open official service →Southwark support
Search the council website for benefits, Council Tax support and cost-of-living help.
Open official service →Consumer rights
Faulty goods, refunds and complaints
Gather proof
Keep the receipt, order confirmation, advert, product description, photographs and conversations.
State the problem and remedy
Explain what is wrong and whether you seek repair, replacement, refund or another remedy. Avoid lengthy unrelated detail.
Set a reasonable response date
Use the trader’s complaint process and keep everything in writing.
Escalate carefully
Depending on payment and value, options may include card-provider claims, alternative dispute resolution, an ombudsman or court. Get advice before formal action.
Example complaint
“I bought [item/service] on [date] for £[amount]. The problem is [facts]. I contacted you on [dates]. I am requesting [repair/replacement/refund] and would like a written response by [date]. I attach proof of purchase and photographs.”
Free tools
Quick money calculators
These estimates are for planning only. They do not replace a full benefit, debt or financial assessment.