You don't need to wait until things reach crisis point. The sooner you speak to us, the more options we may have to help.
Not sure what support you need? That's okay. Get in touch with us and we'll help you work out where to start.
How can we help?
You can also read the latest about support and updates available, find out about help available where you live, and discover more places that can help.
Money, benefits and budgeting
If your money isn't stretching far enough, we can help you look at your finances and explore what support may be available.
Our team can help you with budgeting, checking benefit entitlement and maximising your income. We can also provide information about Pension Credit, the benefit cap and local financial support.
Worried about paying your rent?
If you're struggling to pay your rent, or think you might miss a payment, please talk to us as soon as possible.
Money problems can happen to anyone. Talking to us early gives us a better chance of helping you find a solution before arrears become harder to manage.
Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to help you look at your budget, maximise your income, access benefits or grants, and look at other support available to you.
Benefits and Universal Credit
You could be entitled to financial support that you aren't currently claiming.
We can help you understand what support may be available and, where appropriate, help with benefit claims. Our team can provide guidance on benefits including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance.
You can also use the benefit calculators on the GOV.UK website to check what you could be entitled to.
Debt and missed payments
If you're struggling with debt, you're not alone. Asking for help early can make it easier to understand your options and get things back under control.
Our team can talk through your circumstances without judgement and help you find appropriate support. We can provide help around general debts and options including individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), bankruptcy and Debt Relief Orders.
You can also get free, independent debt advice from organisations such as StepChange and MoneyHelper.
Energy bills and keeping your home warm
If you're struggling to afford gas or electricity, are in debt to your energy supplier, or are worried about keeping your home warm, please ask for help.
Our Energy saving page brings together support including:
help with budgeting and energy debt
support from energy suppliers
grants and hardship funds
prepayment meter information
help available through local councils.
If you're considering having your gas supply cut off or your meter removed because you can't afford your energy bills, please speak to us first. There may be other ways we can help.
You can also find practical ways to reduce your energy use on our Energy saving tips page.
Food and everyday essentials
If you're struggling to afford food, there are local and national organisations that can help.
Depending on your circumstances and where you live, support could include:
One Can Trust for foodbank support in the High Wycombe area. We also work with One Can Trust to help our tenants who need food support.
Buckinghamshire Helping Hand for people experiencing financial hardship
Healthy Start if you're pregnant or have a young child and meet the eligibility criteria
Free school meals for eligible families
local foodbanks and community fridges.
If you're not sure where to go, get in touch with us first and we can help you find appropriate support.
Furniture, carpets and household essentials
If you're struggling to afford a bed, sofa, carpet, white goods or other essentials for your home, there may be help available.
Our dedicated furniture and carpets page has lots of links to organisations and schemes that can provide support.
Where tenants are experiencing financial hardship and other options aren't suitable, we may also be able to explore further support and help with applications for carpets and white goods.
Water bills
If you're struggling with your water bill, speak to your water company rather than ignoring the problem. They may have reduced tariffs or other ways of helping.
For example, Thames Water's WaterHelp scheme can reduce bills for eligible households on a low income or with high water use. Our Energy saving page has more information about the scheme and how to apply.
Broadband and phone bills
If you're claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you may qualify for a cheaper broadband or phone package through a social tariff.
These are lower-cost packages offered by broadband and phone companies to eligible customers.
Latest support and updates
£100 Household Energy Payment announced for 2027
The government has announced a one-off £100 Household Energy Payment to help households with rising energy costs.
Households in Council Tax bands A to D in England will be eligible under the main scheme, provided the property is occupied as their sole or main residence. Councils are expected to start making payments from January 2027.
The government has also announced a £100 million discretionary fund for councils, which will enable them to provide further support to some households struggling with energy costs, including some that aren't eligible for the main payment.
The government is due to publish more detailed guidance covering eligibility and payment arrangements. We'll update this page when more information is available.
Help available where you live
The support available from your council will depend on where you live, so it's worth checking what local schemes you could qualify for. Our Financial wellbeing page also has information about the Crisis and Resilience Fund for eligible residents receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire Council's Helping Hand service supports people on low incomes and those experiencing financial hardship. Support can include urgent help with household fuel and food.
South Oxfordshire
If you live in South Oxfordshire and are struggling financially, the Oxfordshire Crisis Support Scheme can provide one-off help in some circumstances with essential household items for people who are in, or at risk of being in, crisis with no other source of financial help.
Windsor and Maidenhead
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's Here to help page has information about their Crisis and Resilience Fund scheme, along with links to other sources of information and support.
More places that can help
There are lots of organisations offering free advice and practical support.
Money, benefits and debt
MoneyHelper provides free, impartial guidance about money, benefits, budgeting and debt
StepChange provides free debt advice
Turn2us can help you search for grants and other financial support. Its grants search covers more than 1,500 charities
Citizens Advice provides independent advice on benefits, debt, energy and other financial problems
Lightning Reach helps you identify grants and other support that may match your circumstances.
Energy and household bills
Better Housing Better Health supports Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire residents with keeping warm, energy efficiency and accessing financial support
Broadband Savvy: How to save money on broadband bills
Energy Saving Trust provides advice about reducing energy use
Use The Warm Home Discount Scheme to find out a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill
The WaterHelp scheme can reduce Thames Water bills by up to 50% for households on a low income or with high water use, with a simple online application and support available by phone.
Food
One Can Trust provides foodbank support in the High Wycombe area
Families on a low income can apply for free school meals for their children
Healthy Start provides help with food, milk and vitamins for eligible families with young children and during pregnancy
The Too good to go app lets you buy and collect food that would otherwise go to waste just because it hasn't sold in time
The Wycombe Community Friendly Fridge shares food locally; no referral is required.
Furniture and household essentials
Our Furniture and carpets page brings together the main sources of help available to our tenants, including Central Aid, Lightning Reach, Family Fund, Turn2us and local council support.
Not sure where to start?
Talk to us.
You don't need to know which benefit, grant, fund or organisation you need before contacting us. Tell us what's happening and we'll help you understand what support may be available. The important thing is to ask for help as early as you can.