Money Matters

A guide to the services available to help you with your finances, and ensure that you are not paying too much.

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Savings accounts and affordable credit

Credit Unions

A credit union is a community savings and loans co operative that can offer you a savings account and low cost loans.

RNIB Cymru is currently working with Neath Port Talbot Credit Union to ensure they are providing accessible services to their customers who may be blind or partially sighted. We would welcome any feedback you may have on your experiences with credit unions.

To find the telephone number and opening times of your local credit union please visit

Moneyline Cymru

Moneyline Cymru offers affordable, safe and fast loans across its five outlets in South Wales.

If you can’t get a loan through a bank, a building society or a credit union you can now apply for help and a loan from Moneyline Cymru.

Moneyline Cymru has offices in:

  • Newport, 56 Bridge Street
  • Cardiff, 184 Cowbridge Road East, Canton
  • Cwmbran, 6 The Arcade
  • Pontypridd, 8 Ceridwen Terrace
  • Bridgend, 92 Nolton Street

You can call Moneyline Cymru on 0845 643 1553 to enquire about their services and to ask more about individual branches.

For more information please refer to Moneyline Cymru's new website

Illegal Money Lending Unit

The Welsh Illegal Money lending unit was set up in 2007 to tackle the problems caused by loan sharks. The unit campaigns to stop illegal money lending, and deal with illegal money lenders appropriately.

To report a loan shark call them on 0300 123 3311.

For further information please visit

Saving money on your utility bills

Welsh Water Assist

If any of the following applies to you, you may be able to receive reduced water charges:

  • The supply is a household only supply
  • The bill payer or member of the household is in receipt of qualifying benefit or tax credit and
  • Either 3 or more children under the age of 19 are living in the household for whom child benefit is claimed
  • Or someone in the household has a medical condition that requires significant additional use of water.

For more information on the scheme and details on how to apply please visit their website

Welsh Water Customer Assistance Fund

This is for customers struggling with arrears. Applications are accepted through non-charging money advice agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. The fund is available for domestic customers.

If a qualifying customer pays their current charges for 6 months, half of their arrears will be cleared from their account. If a customer pays their charges for a further 6 months, the remaining half of their arrears will be cleared from their account.

To enquire if you qualify, please call 0800 052 0145

For more information on the scheme and details on how to apply please visit their website

Home Heat Helpline

Calls to Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 are free. Specially trained advisors area able to advise you on:

  • Benefits/schemes available
  • Grants for free home insulation
  • Reduced Tariffs
  • Special payment options your energy supplier provides to help you if you’re struggling to pay your fuel bills

You can call yourself or on behalf of a relative, friend or neighbour.

The Home Heat Helpline is open 9am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.

For more information on the scheme and details on how to apply please visit their website

Warm home scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a 4 year programme run by the government and energy suppliers to provide rebates on the electricity bills of households that need it most in Wales.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme can offer eligible customers a yearly one-off payment on their electricity bill. You maybe eligible if:

  • You receive a State Pension Credit
  • Income related employment and support allowance
  • Income based JobSeeker's Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Customer household has an annual income of less than £16,190 and the account holder is living with a mental or physical disability
  • Households with children aged 5 years or under
  • Account holder (or partner) aged 60 or over
  • Customer household has an annual income of less than £16,190 and spends 10% or more of their household annual income on fuel for adequate heating (usually 21 degrees for the main living room, and 18 degrees for other occupied rooms).

For more information on the scheme and details on how to apply please visit their website

British Gas

British Gas supports the ‘British Gas Energy Trust’.

Anyone in need, hardship or other distress is eligible to apply for a grant from the Trust. You do not need to be a current customer to apply; applications are welcomed by customers of all utility companies.

The Trust will also help with some other essential household bills.

Applicants may also be eligible for help from other funds administered by the outsourced agent Charis Grants (currently these include EDF Energy Trust, npower Energy Fund). In these cases the applicant need only use one application form.

Any grant made to help clear debts to British Gas (or others) will be paid direct to the creditor.

If you would like to find out more, and see if you are eligible for assistance please call 01733 421021, or 01733 421060 which is the application form request line.

For more information on the scheme and details on how to apply please visit their website or email

Water Direct and Fuel Direct

The Department of work and pensions (DWP) provide a scheme which is open to utility customers who are behind with bills. The scheme means that DWP may make deductions at source for people receiving certain benefits, including: Income Support, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

Customers can apply direct to the DWP or to their water/energy company. In certain circumstances the company can simply apply direct to the DWP for the deductions to be made. For more information contact your local DWP office; the water or Energy Company.

For more information on the scheme and details on how to apply please visit their website

Specialist money advice services

Turn2us

A new website has been launched to help you to manage your money.

It offers:

  • A Benefits Checker that helps people ensure that they are receiving all the welfare benefits they are entitled to
  • A Grants Search question containing the details of thousands of grant-giving charities that may be able to provide financial support and other services
  • A confidential ‘My Turn2us’ account that can be used to make online enquiries and applications to grant-giving charities
  • Information and interactive tools covering a wide range of subjects on welfare benefits, grants and managing money
  • If you would further information or are unable to access the internet you can call them on 0808 802 2000.

Housing Debt Helpline Wales

The Housing Debt Helpline Wales offers support to individuals and families who are finding it difficult to meet their mortgage or rental payments.

Trained advisors will help you reach a realistic solution to your housing debt problems. Over the phone helpline advisors will perform an assessment of your situation and provide you with immediate help and advice or in more complex cases, the offer of a counselling appointment.

Call free on 0800 107 1340 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.

For more information on the service and details on how to get support please visit their website

Moneymadeclear

Moneymadeclear from the UK’s Consumer Financial Education Body, offers step by step guides for all your financial questions, and allows you to complete an online financial health check. When it comes to your money, their impartial information and tools can help you work out what’s right for you.

For more information on the guides please visit their website

TV licence concession

You can get a 50 percent reduction on your TV Licence fee if you're registered blind or severely sight impaired. The concessionary TV Licence will cost £72.75 for colour devices and £24.50 for black and white devices.

This licence will cover anyone who lives with you, as long as the licence is in your name.

To get the concessionary TV Licence you'll need to complete an application form and provide proof of your registration status. For proof of your registration status you'll need to include a photocopy of a certificate from your local authority or ophthalmologist indicating that you are blind or severely sight impaired.

For more information, please visit their website

Send the form, proof of registration and payment to:

Concessionary Licensing Centre

TV Licensing

Bristol

BS98 1TL

Alternatively, call the TV Licensing Helpline on 0300 790 0366.

If your sight loss is not registered or you are registered as partially sighted or sight impaired you're not eligible for this concession.

If you're 75 years or older you're entitled to a free TV Licence. All you need is a National Insurance Number or a recognised document for proof of age such as a passport, UK birth certificate, UK driving licence, or national identity card.

You do not require a TV licence if you use a digital set-top box solely to listen to television programmes through a hi-fi or stereo system. The set top box must be incapable of recording and must not be connected to a device capable of showing images.

For further advice and clarification on what TV Licensing can offer, please call the TV Licensing Helpline on 0300 790 0366.