Money support and advice

Get free, confidential money advice from our Money Matters team. Help with benefits, budgeting, debt, energy bills and household costs.

Managing your money

Our Money Matters Team will work with you to help you get the right support and advice for your situation. The service is free and confidential.

We can help with:

applying for benefits you may be entitled to
budgeting and planning your money
dealing with debts and setting up repayment plans
reducing energy costs, managing energy bills and recovering from fuel debt

To contact our Money Matters Team, you can:

Calls will cost the same as a call to a landline number and will be included as part of any inclusive minutes on your mobile phone package.

Is the Money Matters service right for you?

The service may be right for you if you need support:

to understand what welfare benefits you may be entitled to and how to apply
to understand how a change in your circumstances could affect your benefits
to reduce your household spending
with completing welfare benefits forms
to challenge a decision about your benefit entitlement
to access essential items that you cannot afford to pay for yourself
with low-level debt

Confidentiality and your information

To use the Money Matters service, you will be asked to agree to the following:

We work in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means:

The information you share with us will be recorded on Gentoo’s secure systems
Your information is used only to make your referral, record the support we provide, and capture the outcomes we achieve together
Your information will be kept safe using password protected systems or secure storage

Anything you tell us is confidential to Gentoo. We will not share your information with anyone else unless:

you give us your consent (for example, to work with another organisation that can support you), or
we are required to share information without consent because:
we believe you or someone else may be at risk of harm, or
you disclose information about a crime that has been committed but not investigated

Check what money you’re entitled to

Benefit calculator

You may be entitled to extra financial support, even if you are working. Our benefit calculator can help you check what benefits you could claim.

If you are affected by the benefit cap, the tool will also give tips on how to increase your household income. You can also speak to your Neighbourhood Coordinator about getting support from our free Money Matters service.

Changes to the two‑child limit

From April 2026, changes to the two‑child limit may increase your entitlement (up to the benefit cap) if you have three or more children. Gentoo plans to contact customers about this, but you can speak to your Neighbourhood Coordinator at any time to get.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. It is a tax‑free payment for people who:

have reached State Pension age, and
live in Great Britain

People who receive Pension Credit may also be able to get:

Winter Fuel Payments
help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount
help with rent and Council Tax
a free TV licence (if aged 75 or over)
help with NHS costs, such as dental treatment, glasses and hospital transport
reduced broadband and phone costs

Check if you’re eligible and how to claim

Managing bills and household costs

Planning your spending

Planning your spending can help you see where you might be able to save money. Creating a personal budget is an important first step in taking control of your finances.

Our free, easy‑to‑use budget planner only takes a few minutes to complete if you have your financial information to hand.

Priority bills

Some bills must always be paid first. These include:

rent
Council Tax
gas and electricity
TV licence

If you’re unsure whether you have priority debts, we can help you check.

Check if you have any priority debts

Worried about debt?

If you’re worried about debt, free help is available. Speaking to a trained debt adviser can help you understand your options and decide what’s best for you.

Find out where to get free debt advice

Loan Sharks

A loan shark is an illegal money lender who operates without a licence from the Office of Fair Trading.

Loan sharks often target vulnerable people. They work alone, or have a tight group of collectors.

How to spot a loan shark

Illegal money lenders generally start out being friendly, and are often heard of through a friend, but can change very quickly as soon as payment is missed
Frequently illegal money lenders offer little or no paperwork (agreements, payment books, receipts)
If you do sign paperwork, they may not give you a copy (as required by the Consumer Credit Act 1974)
Often illegal money lenders do not tell the victims the interest rate, they can add extra charges or increase the amount despite the victims making regular payments
They often accept payments in cash and collect weekly
They will often refuse to tell victims when they will finish paying or how much they still owe
Illegal money lenders may take passports, driving licences, benefits cards, bank cards or other items as security for the loan
Sometimes illegal money lenders make their victims feel threatened and intimated or are violent towards them

Report a loan shark

If you suspect a loan shark is working in your area, contact the confidential advice line: