Money advice team

On this page

Money advice team: who we are and how we can help
Money matters: cost of living support and advice
Money advice handbook: an easy to follow guide
Benefit checker: check benefits online
Paying your rent: what to do if you’re struggling to pay

Money advice team

The money advice team at Reading Borough Council are a friendly team of trained advisers. We provide free, confidential and impartial money advice for the residents of Reading. Seeking money advice will help you to feel less stressed and more in control of your financial wellbeing.

Who can we help?

We can help anyone who is:

• a council tenant
• affected by the benefit cap
• at risk of being evicted, and being supported by the housing advice team

If you are not eligible, visit our money advice page to find details of other organisations who are able to offer support and advice.

How can we help?

We can advise you on a wide range of issues and help hundreds of people every year.

We can help you:

• check you receive all the benefits and financial assistance you’re entitled to
• set a manageable budget to plan your spending, keeping costs down
• make an informed decision how to deal with debts
• challenge benefit decisions you disagree with

Key things to remember

• if you are struggling, you are not alone – you can get advice at any time and it’s never too late
• check you are receiving all the benefits and financial assistance you can
• ignoring your money problems won’t make them go away, but they can be resolved with some advice and support
• borrowing money to repay debts can seem like a good idea, but can easily make your situation worse, always get advice first

Contact us

If you would like to book an appointment for yourself, or someone you are supporting, you can do so using our online form.

If you are unable to use the online referral form, would like to discuss a referral, book an appointment, or receive some general advice contact us by:

Phone: 0118 937 2197
Phone line opening times:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am to 5pm
• Wednesday – 10am to 5pm
• Weekends – closed

Email: moneyadvice@reading.gov.uk

Money matters

We have a dedicated money matters area on our website full of information for everyone, on a range of topics including:

• Money advice
• Benefits
• Rent arrears and eviction
• Help with food, energy, and clothing costs
• Finding employment

Money advice handbook

We’ve created a money advice handbook for those who prefer to manage money on their own. The handbook is full of easy to follow sections on:

• Planning your spending
• Increasing your income
• Reducing your outgoings
• Dealing with debts and contacting your creditors

Benefit checker

We have a quick and easy to use online benefit checker that can tell you if you are missing out on any benefits or financial support. If you are, the checker will tell you how to make an application.

Paying your rent

You need to pay rent as a priority. If you have any issues paying your rent, contact your landlord straight away to make an affordable agreement to repay your arrears.

If you are being threatened with eviction, or being asked to leave your home by your landlord without a court order, you should remain in your home and immediately contact our Housing Service, by phone on 0118 937 2165 or by email housing.advice@reading.gov.uk