PRIVATE renters are twice as likely to be in problem debt as the general population – but there is help out there.
Debt charity StepChange has revealed that one in six private renters is relying on credit to make ends meet.
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The Trapped in Rent report found that two in three StepChange clients who rent in the private sector struggle to afford their rent.
It also revealed that private renters in arrears were asked to make repayments at four times the amount of social tenants.
The study also revealed that problem debt has significantly affected some people’s ability to rent or buy a home and that housing worries were having a significant impact on health, wellbeing and work.
If you are struggling with problem debt here are six things that may help you.
Discretionary housing payment
You could be missing out on this little-known scheme that is available for those who find themselves unable to cover housing costs.
Discretionary Housing Payment is a pot of money handed out by councils to those struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
You may be able to get Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) if you are entitled to Housing Benefit, or the housing element of Universal Credit.
The exact amount you get depends on where you live though.
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The average amount handed out across the country is around £527, figures seen by The Sun previously revealed.
But some areas are giving out thousands of pounds and in one area as much as £4,496 was handed to a hard-up household.
Each local authority dishes out the cash on a case-by-case basis.
The cost of your housing, the size of your family and if you’ve fallen behind on rent are among the circumstances that will be taken into account to work out the help you’ll get.
Welfare Assistance Schemes
Many local councils have Welfare Assistance schemes to help struggling families.
Help available varies, but you could get free cash, food vouchers, and help for bills like rent and energy.
This one can be a bit of a postcode lottery when it comes down to what help you can get.
While in some areas you could get up to £1,000, some councils do not have a scheme in place at all.
Check with your council to see whether you are eligible and what you can claim.
Household Support Fund
This is also a scheme that can be accessed through your local council.
It is designed to help those in most need with payments towards the cost of food, energy and water bills.
Check with your local council to see what help is available as it does vary depending on where you live.
In North Yorkshire, thousands of locals received electronic supermarket vouchers worth up to £325.
Double-check with your council, as some councils restrict how often you can apply for money through this scheme.
Check what benefits you are entitled to
If you claim pension credit, income support or universal credit you may be entitled to further cost of living payments.
Depending on other tax credits or benefits you already get, you could get either three or five further payments.
You can use free online benefit calculators to work out what you are entitled to.
Entitledto’s free calculator works out whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit.
Debt charity StepChange also has a benefits checker which is free to use and won’t record your results.
Contact your provider
If you are struggling to keep up with bills it is always worth contacting your provider to see if there is anything they can do to help you.
Each company has a different policy but it is worth asking if they can help you either from a hardship fund or by giving you more time to pay.
Even if you are not in trouble right now but think that might change in the future they may be able to put a plan in place for you.
Free confidential debt advice
There are many charities that offer free debt advice and it is completely confidential.
Citizens Advice is a free service that can help you come up with a plan to get on top of your debt.
The organisation’s website has a useful page with advice on many aspects of debt, but you can contact them directly by phone, online or in person for more personalised help.
StepChange is another free advice service offering support and guidance online or over the phone, and it’s completely confidential.
Where possible, their advisers will help you come up with a plan to repay all your debts but in a way that you can afford.
National Debtline is a charity run offering free and confidential advice to people in England, Wales and Scotland.
You can contact them online or over the phone on 0808 808 4000, between 9am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.
An adviser will help you work out what you can afford to repay, and help you decide on the best solution for your debt.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
