Many banks offer basic bank accounts that are specially designed for people who find it difficult to open a full account, perhaps because of a poor credit history.

Credit unions provide savings, loans and other financial services. They are owned and controlled by their members. The local credit union is Eastern Savings and Loans.

You might be eligible for a budgeting loan if you have received certain benefits for six months. You must pay back the amount you borrow – repayments are taken automatically from your benefits.

Beware loan sharks who lend money outside the legitimate agreed standards for money collection. Visit the Financial Conduct Authority's website to check whether someone lending you money has a licence to do so. You can report a loan shark anonymously.

Make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are eligible for. Use our benefit calculator to check your entitlement.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you are of working age and on a low income.

If you rent your home and receive a pension or are on a low income, you might be entitled to receive Housing Benefit.

If you already receive Universal Credit or Housing Benefit and it does not cover the full cost of your rent, contact us to ask about a Discretionary Housing Payment. When funds allow, we can award this to help pay your rent on a short-term basis.

Check the government’s income support pages and MoneyHelper’s benefits pages for further advice about benefits and how to claim them.

If you are a council tenant, we can help you check what benefits you are entitled to and apply for them. Contact us to discuss it.

Our budget planner can help you keep track of how much money you have. It’s free and quick to use. Before you start, gather information about your income and expenditure – you’ll also need your partner’s information, if relevant.

If you are a council tenant, we can give you confidential financial and budgeting advice. Contact us to arrange an appointment.

Citizens Advice provides information and advice on many matters including debt. They also offer help with form filling, letter writing and representation.

The Money Advice Service has useful tools and planners to help your organise your finances, including personal money health check, debt test and budget planner.

Cambridge Money Advice Centre offers free, confidential advice to help you get out and stay out of debt.

Making Money Count offers help with managing money, finding work and renting.

The government’s childcare and maternity costs page provides information about tax-free childcare, Child Benefit and one-off payments to help with maternity costs.

Grow Kids and Trumpington Kids Clothes Hub provide pre-loved school uniform. Follow them on Facebook to find out when events take place.

Eligible children can attend free holiday activities during school holidays, provided by Cambridgeshire County Council’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme.

Family Rights Group advice service works with families who need advice and support for child-welfare needs or concerns.

As well as lending books, Cambridge Central Library has a learning centre and a private ‘safe space’, and much more.

If you do not have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone or are unsure how to use them, local charity Cambridge Online can provide help with skills. They can also provide access to the internet and connected devices.

Some community centres provide free internet access, and most host local events and groups.

Contact us if you are unable to pay any money owed to the council – we might be able to help.

The National Debtline and Business Debtline provide free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.

StepChange offers free debt advice and can help you arrange a debt-management plan.

The government provides advice about your options for dealing with your debts.

The government’s breathing space scheme gives you time to find debt advice, to help relieve the stress caused by debt.

The Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme provides information, advice and practical support and assistance during unexpected financial difficulties.

Making Money Count offers help with managing money, finding work and renting.

If you find yourself unable to provide food for you and your family, your local foodbank might be able to help you.

The Too Good To Go app can help you buy low-price, quality food from local vendors.

If you receive certain benefits, your child might be entitled to free school meals from Cambridgeshire County Council, saving you up to £495 per year per child.

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, the NHS Healthy Start scheme might be able to help you to buy healthy food and milk.

Check your eligibility for free help from the NHS for things like prescriptions, dental or glasses.

Discounted swimming ‘pay and play’ cards are available for people who receive certain benefits. They give up to 30% off normal admission prices and are valid for 12 months. Children can swim for £1 at specific times. Check our swimming offers page for more details.

You might be eligible for a grant to improve your home’s energy efficiency. If your household income is less than £36,000, you could potentially access funding for insulation and clean heat. Read our home energy and water use webpages to find out more.

The Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency provides advice and support to elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to repair, improve or adapt their home to meet their changing needs.

Cambridge Re-Use and Emmaus can help you buy furniture and other household items.

Various discounts, reductions and exemptions to your Council Tax bill are available. Find out how to get money off your Council Tax bill.

You can pay your Council Tax in 12 monthly instalments instead of the usual 10. The total you pay will not change, but it will reduce the monthly cost. Register for an online Council Tax account to arrange this – you will need the ‘online key’ from your latest bill.

MoneyHelper’s guidance on how to save money on household bills can help you reduce how much you pay for water, energy, phone and broadband and more. Money Saving Expert’s guides and tools to help you save on your utilities can also help.

Ask your energy supplier to install a smart meter for your gas and electricity supply.

You might be able to join the Priority Services Register, which helps utility companies to look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs.

Pect’s Energy Advice Service can help you to save on energy costs and maintain a warmer home. The service includes their Warm Homes project.

If you’re a pet owner, the RSPCA’s cost of living webpages provide advice and support including help with vet bills and finding pet-food banks.

Check the National Minimum Wage calculator to see if you’re being paid the right amount. You can also check when your employer can make deductions from your pay (such as for income tax, national insurance and student loan repayments).

If you believe you are not being paid the right amount or your deductions are incorrect, check Citizens Advice’s guidance about increasing your income.

Make sure that any family and friends who live with you are paying enough towards household expenses.

If you’re over state pension age and on a low income, check whether you’re entitled to Pension Credit.

Check you’re paying the right amount of Income Tax.

Consider renting out your spare room to a lodger to earn some extra money. We can provide full training and support.

If you live in a rented council property and are struggling to pay your rent, contact us as soon as possible. We can give you advice and offer different payment methods, and if necessary refer you to external agencies such as Citizens Advice.

If you’re a homeowner on qualifying benefits, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage or any loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home. Check the government’s support for mortgage interest.

Shelter can offer you advice if you are struggling with unmanageable rent or mortgage arrears.

If you are homeless or threatened with becoming homeless, our Access Scheme could help you afford the up-front costs of getting into private rented accommodation. In some circumstances, we might be able to offer small interest-free loans to help you avoid losing your home.

You could save up to a third on train journeys with a railcard.

For further help with travel costs, read the government’s support to help with the cost of transport.