Benefit and Money Advice for Cheltenham Residents

  • Local Offer

Free and confidential advice

Cheltenham residents will be stunned to learn that over £15billion could be going unclaimed in welfare benefits across the UK every year. That sort of money would make a real difference to people who badly need a helping hand.

“Whether you are a pensioner, a person with disabilities, you’re unemployed or working but on a very low income, you could be missing out."

Our benefit and money advice officer is here to give free and confidential advice on all welfare benefits and day-to-day money management.

Our officer Sharon Hammett is based in the housing options team and she 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

Renting a home

We can help negotiate with your landlord to lower your rent (if privately renting and affected by welfare cuts) enabling you to remain in your property if at all possible.

If you are looking to rent privately and would like to know how much help you could receive towards your rent and council tax before you sign a tenancy, we can work with you to carry out an affordability assessment.

Benefits advice

The government has made many changes to the welfare benefit system and making claims can be very complicated. Our officer has extensive and up to date knowledge and can help with:

  • claiming all the benefits you may be entitled to
  • help with some DWP or HM Revenues and Customs reconsideration and appeals
  • support to backdate a claim for benefits, if you have good cause
  • "better off calculations" - if you are moving into work, changing your hours or about to take maternity leave
  • understanding the many benefit changes, such as Universal Credit

Benefits calculator

You can use an independent benefit calculator to give you an estimate. There is an option to send this directly to Sharon if you need further assistance or advice.

Get in touch

Please note that our drop-in service is suspended until further notice due to Covid-19.

If you need to get in touch, please contact us by phone or email.

You can also contact us to arrange a home visit.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Sharon Hammett
Contact Position
Benefit and Money Advice Officer
Telephone
01242 387618 01242 387618
E-mail
sharon.hammett@cbh.org
Website
website
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Where to go

Name
Cheltenham Borough Council - Municipal Offices -
Postcode

GL50 9SAGet directions to GL50 9SA

Notes

Please do not attend The Municipal Offices in person without speaking to Sharon in the first instance.

Availability

Age Ranges
Referral not required
Referral Details

Please be aware that our officer can assist anyone who resides in Cheltenham regardless of whether they rent privately, housing association tenant or are a homeowner.

 

Other notes

Contact us by email if you have any questions or to make an appointment or to request a home visit if necessary, for example if you are housebound 

We can also give talks to small groups, such as mother and toddler groups, pensioners clubs, church clubs and youth clubs, about benefits. 

If you would like us to talk to your group for free advice or for a general chat, please contact us.

 

Local Offer

Local Offer Age Bands
0-4 (Birth to Pre-School)
4-11 (Primary School)
11-16 (Secondary School)
16-18 (Transitions into Adulthood)
18-25 (Young Adults)
SEN Provision Type
Universal

SEND Local Offer Form

Who is your service for?
Universal
Local Offer Age Bands
0-4 (Birth to Pre-School)
4-11 (Primary School)
11-16 (Secondary School)
16-18 (Transitions into Adulthood)
18-25 (Young Adults)
Is the building fully wheelchair accessible?
Yes
Is there disabled changing and toilet facilities?
Yes
Describe any training or experience you/your staff, have had or are having in issues around SEND?

NA

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