Dealing with money issues can be off-putting, but if you don't understand or organise your money, you could end up losing out financially or get yourself deep in debt.
If you find yourself in debt and don't know where to turn you can find free advice on:
You can also find information on debt management, credit ratings, debt relief orders, mortgage problems, rent problems and actions that your creditor can take.
For external benefit and debt advice download our list of 
External benefit and debt advice contacts [65.14KB].
Borrowing can be expensive and can give you debt and stress. If you find that you are borrowing more than you can afford or want to be, you can find useful tips by visiting Money Advice - reduce borrowing or Citizens Advice - borrowing money.
Money management can give you control, rewards and security. You can find useful tips on how to make your money go further by visiting Money Advice - managing your money.
On 6 October 2014 there was a Financial Inclusion conference held with public sector policy makers and practitioners, voluntary, community and faith sector representatives and registered social landlords who want to help build financial resilience in Preston.
Preston City Council is working in partnership with Job Centre Plus, Preston College and Lancashire Adult Learning College to set up work clubs in Preston. For more information see the Work Clubs page.
The official food bank in Preston is the Salvation Army on Harrington Street. You must be referred to them by and agency and can only go once per month. To find out more visit the Salvation Army food bank in Preston webpage.
To avoid finding yourself in rent arrears or worrying about how to pay your rent read the information on the Money Advice - renting page for all you need to know about renting.
The welfare reform means that some of the existing benefits will start to be phased out and replaced by a new benefits system. You can visit Citizens Advice - welfare reform or our benefit guide for further information.
If you have been impacted by the welfare reform please complete our online survey.
If you are on a low income or social benefits then you may be able to obtain help toward payment of the rent. For further information about claiming or an application form visit our Housing Benefit page. To report a change of circumstances for your housing benefit claim visit our change in circumstances page.
If you receive housing benefit but still have rent to pay you may be able to apply for extra assistance. For further information visit our discretionary housing payment page.
If you receive council tax support but still have council tax to pay you may be able to apply for extra assistance.
If you need any other benefits such as jobseekers allowance, employment and support allowance, disability living allowance you need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions. For help with any benefits and tax credits visit GOV.UK - benefits.
When you are in debt it can sometimes be difficult to get out of it... don't leave it too late... contact our Welfare Benefits Advice department or Citizens Advice Bureau or Money Advice Service.
Download our easy read documents for advice:
