Get advice and support around employment, housing, money and debt advice.
Debt and money advice
Money worries can cause additional stress that you don’t need and can often impact on your health too.
You can find out if your finances need a bit of work by taking part in our online assessment.
If you do need some support then there’s lots of free specialist debt advice available close to home.
Getting local advice is particularly recommended if you have debts such as rent, mortgage or council tax as your local advisers have local knowledge and will be able to negotiate with organisations on your behalf.
On this page there's lots of advice and help on debt and benefit services.
Citizens Advice debt advice
The Citizens Advice service is the UK’s largest independent advice provider and advice is available for a whole range of issues including debt, housing and legal issues.
The advice offered by Citizens Advice is via accredited debt advice workers.
Read the Citizens Advice guide for debt and money.
You can also search for your local Citizens Advice branch.
North East Derbyshire CAB debt resource
North East Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau have developed a free online resource that can help you deal with your debt and financial problems.
It also includes a free online debt management planner for people who feel confident enough to manage their debts themselves.
Money Smart
Budgeting is an essential tool to help you manage your finances.
Money Smart can help you work out what money you have coming in and show you how and what you spend it on. It can also help you make most the most of your income.
It includes information on where you might be able to make savings on what you spend.
Information is also available on organisations that you may be able to get grants from and where to find emergency aid and assistance.
Money Advice Service
The Money Advice Service offers free, impartial money advice and their website provides a whole range of information and useful resources.
Derbyshire Law Centre
The Derbyshire Law Centre provides a wide range of legal advice covering debts, housing, employment and more.
National Debtline
National Debtline is a free and confidential debt advice service. You can call them on 0808 808 4000.
National Debtline also provides a wide range of fact sheets on topics including bankruptcy, energy debts, mortgage arrears and more.
You can browse their extensive fact sheet library.
Money Saving Expert
The Money Saving Expert provides a whole range of information, advice and resources around money and ways to make savings.
Money Sorted in D2N2
Would you like support to help you feel more in control of your finances? Know you need to do something but don’t know where to start?
Money Sorted in D2N2 can provide help tailored just to your needs. Whatever your circumstances, they can provide support to make a real difference around money as well as improve your ability in dealing with money.
Energy bills
You may be able to get a better deal and save money if you shop around for your energy supplier.
Information and advice about switching your energy provider is available from Citizens Advice.
Benefits
The benefits system is complex and it’s important to make sure that you get all the help that you’re entitled to.
Find local and national advice on welfare rights and benefits here:
Citizens Advice benefits advice
Citizens Advice can provide information on benefits and tax credits whatever your situation.
There’s also information about council tax and housing costs, national insurance, payment of benefits and problems with benefits.
You can search for your local Citizens Advice branch.
Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre
The Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre provides help with benefit issues and appeals.
Department of Works and Pensions
More information on the benefits available can be found on the Governments Department of Works and Pensions.
Welfare rights
Derbyshire County Council’s welfare rights team has a wealth of information about benefits and can help you make sure you’re getting what you are entitled to.
Find out more about welfare rights.
Healthy Housing
Everyone has the right to a safe, secure roof over their heads but sometimes things can go wrong.
Housing issues can cause you unnecessary stress and worry and it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities.
The organisations on this page can help you with issues including renting or buying a home, keeping up with payments or just finding somewhere to live.
You can also find advice on handling problems with your landlord and help to avoid losing your home.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offers help on a wide range of different topics including housing.
You can find help on finding a place to live, managing rent and mortgage payments, homelessness and more on the Citizens Advice housing pages.
You can search for your local Citizens Advice branch.
Derbyshire Law Centre
The Derbyshire Law Centre offers free, specialist housing law advice to Derbyshire residents.
Visit the housing section to find out how they can help with any housing related issues you might have.
Pathways
If you live in Chesterfield or North East Derbyshire and are homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless, advice is available through the Pathways service.
You can get in contact with Pathways by calling 01246 498204 or by visiting the Pathways website.
Help with housing costs
If you are on a low income then you could be entitled to help with housing costs. Find out more at Derbyshire County Council's welfare benefits page.
You can also get help with rent and council tax on the council's council tax pages.
Framework
Framework offers housing help for young people aged between 18 and 24. You can find out more about the services on offer at Framework’s website.
P3 - I Decide
P3's service I Decide offers accommodation and tenancy-based support for people in Derbyshire aged 16 and over who are experiencing mental health issues. Find out more at P3's website.
Alternatively you can call them on 01773 742051. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
P3 - Derbyshire Homelessness Service
The Derbyshire Homelessness Service provides housing and support for people aged 18 plus experiencing homelessness.
This service provides a safe place for adults who are homeless to live and combines it with a personalised support package to tackle the root cause of their homelessness.
The service operates both 24-hour, staffed hostel accommodation, available in Erewash and South Derbyshire, alongside supporting people to access housing in the community.
Find out more about the Derbyshire Homelessness Service.
Shelter
Shelter is a national charity that helps people who may be struggling with bad housing or homelessness. They offer advice, support and legal services.
You can talk to an advisor on their non-emergency helpline on 0808 800 4444
Or visit Shelter's website.
Employment
Employment can improve your physical and mental wellbeing and there are different ways to help you along your way to employment.
National Careers Service
Gives free and fair information, advice and help about career opportunities, learning and employment.
Derbyshire residents aged 19 years and over, and those aged 18 who are not currently in education, employment or training, can take part in this service.
Below are examples of just some of the advice and support that you can receive at a session:
- advice and information on courses or training - this can include how to get funding and what further opportunities there may be exploring such as, volunteering and work experience opportunities on offer across the county.
- careers planning including help to understand the current labour market, finding the skills you already have, new career paths and ways into employment.
- how to write covering letters that will gain the attention of prospective employers
- how to write a CV or update an existing one.
- helpful tips on finding new employment such as making the most of 'Find a Job', using social media and exploring the hidden labour market.
- guidance on how to write an application form and relating it to a possible interview
- help with interview skills, including tips on preparing and planning for the types of interview and questions to expect.
For more information visit the National Careers Service.
Disability Employment Service
If you have a disability or long term health condition, the Disability Employment Service can support you to secure employment.
The service helps you find the right training and volunteer opportunities for you, as well as paid employment.
Once you have got a job you can access advice about reasonable adjustments and other in-work support.
For more information email disabilityemploymentservice@derbyshire.gov.uk
Building Better Opportunities
A support programme for you if you are not in any paid employment and aged over 16 (or aged 15 if not in employment, education, or training).
The programme aims to help you become more socially connected and to help remove barriers you might have when trying to access training or employment.
The programme is funded jointly until April 2022 by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund operating and has three parts:
Towards Work
Can support you if you want to access training or employment but have barriers preventing you from moving forward. Examples of barriers could be mental health, disability, low skills, criminal record and childcare.
You will get personalised one to one support to help you move closer to work, education or training for 12 months, including 3 months in-work support.
You can get support with the costs of travel, childcare, qualifications and other barriers if identified in your needs assessment.
For more information visit Towards Work.
Money Sorted
Can support you if you need help with your financial situation and would benefit from independent support with your money management and other barriers around this.
- You will get personalised one to one support with work for 6 months
- You can get support with the costs of travel, childcare etc. if identified within your needs assessment as a barrier
For more information visit Money Sorted.