How can I get more money?

At present, the Benefits Service do not provide debt or money advice but we have listed some details below that you may find helpful

How can I get more money

Help to find work

To get help finding work, see the Work Redbridge pages and search jobs through the Universal Jobmatch tool.

Can I get Benefits while I am working?

See our Starting Work and In Work pages

Maybe I could rent out a room?

Check that your landlord or mortgage lender agrees to you renting out a room. Provided the rent you receive is below an annual limit, you do not pay tax on it and it does not affect any tax credits you get.

For more information visit Rent a Room Scheme .

Maybe another adult in my home could help towards expenses?

It is reasonable to expect any non-dependant (adult son or daughter, relative or friend, but not a boarder or lodger) who lives with you to pay their share of the household expenses. After all, if they lived elsewhere they would have such expenses. Non-dependants affect the amount of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) you receive.

Maybe I could get Child Maintenance?

Child Maintenance is an arrangement between you and the other parent of your child. It helps with your child’s living costs when one of the parents no longer lives with them. It’s made when you’ve separated from the other parent or can be paid even if you have never been in a relationship with them.  It is usually best to make an arrangement between yourselves but if this is  not possible you can ask the Child Maintenance Service to help.

Maybe I could get extra help with my rent or Council Tax?

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are extra payments to help meet the shortfall between Housing Benefit/ Universal Credit Housing Element and your eligible rent.

Hardship Payments (HP) are extra payments to help meet the shortfall between Council Tax Reduction and the amount of Council Tax you are liable to pay. 

Both types of payment are cash limited and funds must be prioritised for the most vulnerable members of the community who are experiencing exceptional financial hardship.  They are usually only paid for a short period of time to help at times or crisis or extreme financial difficulty.