Financial support and money advice
Sunderland City Council endeavours to ensure that information contained on this page is up to date and correct and in line with the latest NHS and Government advice. The council accepts no liability for error or omission.
The spread of coronavirus may be having an impact on your work and benefits. It's important to rely on reputable sources of information for what this might mean for you. Information is changing frequently so check regularly - www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Help with food and fuel is available via Sunderland City Council and help with food is available at Sunderland Foodbank and some other smaller local providers if you are in financial crisis.
Details of foodbank opening times / distribution points are on Sunderland Information Point.
https://www.sunderlandinformationpoint.co.uk/kb5/sunderland/directory/results.page?adultchannel=6_4
For more information on the council's scheme see https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/crisis-support
Please note Gentoo also provide a crisis support scheme for their own tenants.
Further details are below on specific areas:
Help with housing costs and issues
Help with energy and water costs
Help for families including free school meals
Other help available for individuals and families
Help with any impact on your finances
Protect yourself from scammers
PLEASE NOTE THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE SO PLEASE KEEP CHECKING
If you wish to speak to someone locally about your circumstances, there are several organisations in the city you can telephone, but they are reporting high levels of demand so please bear with them when you call, the lines may be engaged.
Sunderland Welfare Rights Service are also able to advise via email.
Local provider | Contact details |
Sunderland Welfare Rights Service | 0191 520 5555 |
Shiney Advice and Resource Project Coalfields, North and Washington areas | 0191 385 6687 |
Sunderland West Advice Project West area | 0191 514 2930 and 514 2011 |
Citizens Advice Sunderland East areas | 0300 330 1194 Dedicated debt line on 0191 415 8998 |
FISCUS | 07983 355 212 City wide |
Christians Against Poverty | 0800 328 0006 City wide |
REACT - help to create a CV and benefit advice | 0191 537 3231 |