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.

Please make sure you access the range of support that is being made available by the government before you access crisis services; however, if there are delays in accessing these financial support measures 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:

Changes and increases to help existing benefit claimants

Changes and increases to help new benefit claimants

Changes affecting your employment including sickness, reduced hours and your rights when you return to work

Help with housing costs and issues

Help with Council Tax

Help with energy and water costs

Help for families including free school meals

Other help available for individuals and families

Moneywise Credit Union

Looking for work

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.