Help for families experiencing hardship

The County Council cannot give financial help to families experiencing hardship. However, there are a number of organisations that can give practical help, advice and sometimes financial support.

• The JobCentre Plus website gives information for parents and families needing financial help.
• Your local Citizens' Advice Bureau can give practical and legal advice on hardship.
• If you are homeless, or are at risk of becoming,homeless, you should contact your local District Council who will help you to find emergency accommodation.  There are a number of charities, such as Shelter (tel. 0808 800 4444), which can give you help and advice with housing problems and homelessness.
• Past and present armed forces personnel, or their dependents, can get help from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).
• Young people experiencing hardship can contact Connexions for advice, support and counselling
• Basics Banks can provide basic (non-perishable) food and clothing in an emergency.
• There are local charities in most parts of Hampshire that can provide families with second-hand furniture and other household items.
• Debit Options offer impartial and confidential one-to-one advice for people that might be experiencing money concerns and has a number of links to other sites that offer help specifically on debt.
• Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS). Through its free national telephone service, ten regional centres and online CCCS Debt Remedy, CCCS (a registered charity) is able to help people with debt problems wherever they live.

Click here for advice in cases of extreme hardship.

Click here for information on the right of recourse to public funds from the Home Office (Border and Immigration Agency) website.