Mental Health and Money Worries
Our mental health can impact on how we manage our money. We may ignore bills or spend too much.
Mental Health and Money Advice offers clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money. It can help you understand, manage and improve your mental health and money concerns. MoneyHelper also provides a useful Money Problems and Mental Wellbeing guide.
Mind offer Money and Mental Health tips for everyday living including information about claiming benefits and dealing with services.
It is normal to feel low or anxious if you’re struggling with money worries or debt. Connect to Support Hampshire’s money worries page links to local organisations that can help with many money-related issues including debt, help with food and keeping our home warm. You can also find listings for local and national organisations which can offer finance, tax and debt advice and financial help for carers.
Step Change is a debt charity offering free, confidential and expert advice, including a Six-step guide to dealing with debt and stress.
Watch
Money and Mental Health - Andrew's Story A story about anxiety and gambling
Money and Mental Health - Catherine's Story A story about emotional spending
Money and Mental Health - Caroline's Story A story about debt, divorce and PTSD
Cost of living and mental health: Mental Health Foundation videos from people with personal experience
Listen
Money on your Mind podcast from Mental Health and Money advice.
Young People and Money Anxiety episode from BBC Sounds' Money Box programme.
Solent Mind's men's mental health Let's Talk Mate video podcast offers an episode on Money and Debt.
Need financial support?
You can call MoneyHelper on freephone 0800 138 7777, Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm or use their webchat for free and impartial help with money and pensions, backed by government. Explore their Money Navigator Tool to help you decide which money issues to tackle first, how to stay on top of bills, and know what extra help and support you’re entitled to.
Find out what you or the person you are supporting might be entitled to in the Mental Health and Benefits Handbook
Understanding Universal Credit - Universal Credit supports you if you are on a low income or out of work. It includes a monthly payment to help with your living costs. This site will help you understand what Universal Credit means for you. If you want to go straight to making a claim for Universal Credit visit gov.uk/universal-credit.
Discretionary housing payments is a way of helping you if the housing benefit or Universal Credit (housing costs element) you get is not enough to pay your rent. Payments are not the same as housing benefit or Universal Credit.
If you are not sure what you may be entitled to Turn 2 Us has a free online benefit calculator to help you.
Extra help to apply for
- Healthy Start Vouchers – get help to buy food and milk if you receive certain benefits and are pregnant or have a child under the age of four.
- Free Early Years Education funding – eligible families of two year-olds, and all three and four year-olds are entitled to some free early years education.
- Free School Meals – if you meet the income criteria and have a school-aged child.
- Council Tax Reduction – if you are on a low income or claim benefits and pay council tax your local council may be able to help.
- Winter Fuel Payments if you are aged 67 over you may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.
- Bereavement Support Payment – if you are on a low income and your husband, wife or civil partner has died in the last 21 months. Information about end of life care and bereavement from Connect to Support Hampshire.
- Funeral Expenses Payment – if you are on a low income and are responsible for arranging someone’s funeral.
- NHS Low Income Scheme – if you are on a low income you may be able to get help with NHS costs such as prescriptions, dental, eyecare, and healthcare travel costs.
- Hitting the Cold Spots - help if you are struggling to keep your home warm.
- Breathing Space scheme - could give you up to 60 days' respite from interest, fees and court action to reduce stress and give you time to deal with your debts.
- Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space scheme - If you are receiving mental health crisis treatment and struggling with problem debt, support is available for as long as your mental health crisis persists plus 30 days.
- Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also help with housing costs. Read or listen to Independent Age's simple Pension Credit Guide.