Money and benefits
If money is tight right now, you don’t have to face it alone. Torus Foundation and our partners offer support to help you make your money go further and access the benefits you’re entitled to.
Benefits advice and calculators
Finding your way round the welfare benefits system can be difficult. Here are some important website links that could help you find out the information you need to know:
- Government website GOV.uk lists all welfare benefits, explains who can claim and how to appeal if you’re turned down.
- Head to the Government’s information on benefit calculator.
You may also find either of these benefit calculators useful:
Our benefits experts may also be able to help you to claim benefits to which you’re entitled and appeal any benefit decisions that go against you. Please get in touch by calling 0300 123 5809 or emailing info@torusfoundation.org.uk.
Free benefit and debt advice from Money Wellness
Torus tenants and people living in Torus communities can get benefits and debt advice that is free, confidential, practical and impartial from Money Wellness.
They work with you to improve your financial wellbeing, meaning you can live more and stress less.
Money Wellness is a free service. Once you're in touch with them, they'll:
- get a full picture of your situation
- look at your income and living expenses
- recommend the most suitable way forward
Get in touch to get started:
- Call 0800 652 2790
- Visit mwonlineadvice.moneywellness.com - you don't need to wait to be referred.
- Or, speak to your Income Officer – Your Income Officer will be able to make a referral on your behalf. To do this, they will need your written permission to share your name and telephone number.
Free support from Citizens Advice
Not only is help available with energy and fuel advice from Torus Foundation, but Torus customers can also get referred for expert support from Citizens Advice Liverpool.
Citizens Advice Liverpool can help you with:
- Welfare benefits, to make sure you get the benefits you’re entitled to
- Budgeting, to make your money go further
- Debt advice
To get a referral for Citizens Advice Liverpool, no matter where you live, speak to your Neighbourhood Officer or a Torus Income Officer who will make a referral for you.
You can get in touch with your Neighbourhood Officer or Income Officer through the Torus Customer Hub. Visit www.torus.co.uk/contact-us for details.
If their team isn’t around to take your call, follow the instructions to leave a voicemail and an adviser will contact you using the details you provide. You can also find advice from - Citizens Advice: Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington.
Energy advice
Speak to the Foundation’s qualified energy advisors who are on hand to support with:
- Fuel debt
- Billing errors
- Meter readings if you have difficulty doing this yourself
- Applying for grants to help reduce your energy debts
- Switching energy providers (if it’s the right thing to do)
- Applying for seasonal payments (eg Warm Home Discount Payment)
- Paying your water bills
- Budgeting advice
Don’t delay, contact our energy advisors today. Our services are tailored to your needs, so you can give us a call on 0300 123 5809 (option 2), email us at info@torusfoundation.org.uk or we can arrange to come and see you at your home
Funded by the Energy Saving Trust.
United Utilities debt advice
United Utilities is encouraging customers who may be struggling to pay their water bill, to get in touch with their team to see if support can be arranged.
Links you might find helpful
- Free money course - MSE’s Academy of Money
- For free guidance you can trust - Money Helper
- Hints and tips to save money as every penny counts - Skint Dad
- For lots of advice on saving money, making money and more - Money Magpie
- Compare how much it costs to run different appliances - Go.Compare
More debt advice organisations include:
If you’re in crisis, your local authority may be able to help you with local grants:
Additional links:
