Money Matters Advice Service

Managing money can be a struggle, especially if you are on a low income. That is why we try to keep our rents affordable and make sure our homes are efficient to run.

Budgeting is becoming an increasingly important skill to have. If you have more money going out than coming in it can mean that you do not have enough money to pay for your priority bills and essential expenditure. Planning and monitoring your budget will help you identify any areas of expenditure that can be cut back, allow you to make alterations if your financial situation changes, and help you achieve your financial goals.

If you are struggling to pay your rent, do not ignore the situation. Paying your rent is an important condition of your tenancy agreement and if you do not act you could end up losing your home. Get in touch with the Income Team, let us know about your circumstances and make a reasonable arrangement to repay the debt. Make sure you respond to any letters or phone calls from us about your rent account.

Meet the Team

Photo of James
James

Financial Inclusion Officer

Julie Brett
Julie

Financial Inclusion Officer

Photo of Michelle
Michelle

Financial Inclusion Officer

Nikki Tolley
Nikki

Energy and Wellbeing Officer

We offer a free and confidential service called 'Money Matters' to help and support our customers. Our work could help you maximise your income and reduce your outgoings, which can result in you having more money in your pocket. This can include more information about benefits you are entitled to.

Our Financial Inclusion Officers, James, Julie and Michelle and our Energy and Wellbeing Officer Nikki can help with:

  • Housing Benefit and Discretionary Housing Payments
  • Benefit checks
  • Help with Universal Credit
  • State Pensions and Pension Credits
  • Grants and Charitable Payments
  • Helping you to deal with debts
  • Benefit Applications
  • Budgeting help
  • Food vouchers and emergency food parcels
  • Energy payments

If you feel that you would benefit from our service, contact us for an appointment.

People sat around talking informally

Hardship Fund

We are concerned about how the increased cost of living is impacting of our customers and we are committed to help those who are struggling. We have created a fund that can provide a one-off emergency hardship payment to help North Devon Homes’ households with:

  • essential household items
  • basic living expenses (food and fuel
  • work or education related expenses
  • clothes
  • petrol or transport costs
  • help with moving house

As well as helping you apply for the hardship fund, our team can give you advice about benefits and budgeting or signpost you to other services to help improve your situation.

The first step is to complete a simple application form below, and attach a copy of your latest bank statement so that we can ensure the help goes to those in need. We may need to chat with you about your situation so please include a number where we can contact you.  We will make a decision as soon as possible, usually within 7 days.

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