If you are currently facing any financial difficulties or hardship, then please get in touch with your loan provider as soon as possible to make the appropriate arrangements in line with your circumstances.

Hands. Face. Space.

Wash your hands and wear a face-covering in enclosed areas such as shops and public transport to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

For more information on how to protect you, your family and others around you visit the NHS website.

Self-employed Income Support Scheme

If you are self-employed and unable to work or the pandemic has significantly affected your workflow, you may be entitled to help from the Self-employed Income Support Scheme extension.

For more information on whether you are eligible for support from the extension of the Self-employed Income Support Scheme, visit the Government website.

Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

If you have a disability or health condition that stops you from working or you have been self-isolating or shielding due to coronavirus, then you may be eligible for Employment Support Allowance (ESA).

For more information on whether you are eligible to claim ESA, visit the Government website.

Coronavirus Job Rention Scheme

If you are a business or business owner who’s work has been impacted by the recent pandemic or lockdown measures then you may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has been extended to December 2020.

For more information on the Job Retention Scheme, visit the Government website.

Guarantee Pay

If you have been asked to stay at home or take unpaid leave because there is not enough work available for you, you can apply for Guarantee Pay.

For more information on whether you can apply for Guarantee Pay, visit the Government website.

Universal Credit

If you are struggling to cope with your living costs due to your circumstances, such as being made redundant, then you may be eligible to apply for Universal Credit.

For more information on Universal Credit and to find out whether you’re eligible to apply, visit the Government website.

Landlords and Homeowners

If you are a landlord or homeowner, your mortgage repayments may have been suspended for three months if your circumstances meant that you were unable to make your mortgage repayments. The Bank of England base rate was dropped to 0.1% to encompass these changes back in March 2020.

However, with the announcement of a second lockdown commencing Thursday the 5th of November it is currently unclear whether mortgage repayment holidays will continue. We will update this information as soon as it becomes available.

Renters

If you are unable to pay your rent, then get in touch with your landlord to make the appropriate arrangements for a repayment plan. As well as this - you should also check to see whether you are eligible for any additional help, such as Universal Credit to help cover the costs of your rent.

Unable to pay council tax

If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax bill, then you may be able to get in contact with your local council to arrange a repayment plan in line with what you can afford.

You may also be entitled to your local council’s reduction scheme if you are receiving benefits.

Unable to pay gas, water and electricity bills

If you are struggling to pay your gas or electricity bills, then get in contact with your supplier as soon as possible to explain your situation and make the appropriate arrangements.

You may be offered the chance to arrange a repayment plan, or credit if you are using a prepayment meter. Due to current circumstances, no disconnections will be made during this time if customers are unable to pay.

Can’t afford to buy food

If you are struggling to feed yourself or your family due to your finances or through illness then you can either visit your local food bank or get in contact with your local council to see whether you qualify for their Welfare Assistance scheme.

I’m feeling anxious and depressed

If you are feeling anxious and depressed at this time, then there are many charities and helplines that are here to help and support you through these difficult times.

You can get in touch with the Samaritans, MIND and the Mental Health Foundation.