In financial hardship
We’re here to help if you need it, whether or not you receive income support from us.
If you’re struggling to support yourself or your family, please contact us. We can often help in some way. We may be able to give you assistance, advice, or refer you to another agency.
Help if you’re in a financial crisis
There are a number of payments or advances that may help you get through a financial crisis. Even if you aren't able to get any of the assistance mentioned below, we may be able to help in other ways so please contact us.
Special Needs Grant
A grant to help you, in certain circumstances, pay for something when you have no other way of paying for it.
Advance Payment of Benefit
If you have an immediate need for something essential, you may be able to get an advance payment of your benefit.
Recoverable Assistance
A payment for something you need urgently when you have no other way of paying for it.
Temporary Additional Support
A payment if you can't meet your essential living costs from what you earn or from other sources.
Help if you’ve lost your job
Whatever your circumstances, if you'd like help finding a job, contact us. We'll try and match you to suitable full-time or part-time jobs. We may be able to help you increase your job options through training or other ways.
While you're looking for work we may be able to help you with living, housing and childcare costs.
If you’ve recently been made redundant, or are self employed and able to get Unemployment Benefit, you may also be able to get extra help through the ReStart package.
Help looking for work
We can support you while you look for work and can help you find a job that’s right for you.
ReStart
A package of assistance to help if you’ve been made redundant that offers:
- payments in place of in-work tax credits
- extra help with accommodation costs
- help finding a job that’s right for you
Tips to help you find a job
Some tips to help you with your job search.
Unemployment Benefit
Assistance while you look for work or train for work.
Unemployment Benefit - Student Hardship (StudyLink)
Assistance during study breaks while you look for work.
Websites that may help
Career Services
Providing independent career information, advice and guidance. There are pages on redundancy and tips for job hunting in tight econmic times.
Help if your relationship has broken down
We'll support you while you can't work and help you look towards independence in the future. When you're able to work, we can help you find full-time or part-time work that's right for your situation.
We may be able to help you with living, housing, and childcare costs.
If you're on a benefit you need to tell us about any change in your relationship as this may affect your benefit.
Supporting children and families
We can support you while you're looking after children. You may be able to get help with living expenses, health, housing or childcare.
Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) - Sole Parent
Assistance if you're a sole parents with one or more dependent children.
Family Violence Intervention Programme
Learn more about the Family Violence Intervention Programme and some of your options if you're experiencing, using or witnessing family violence.
Contact us
Everyone's situation is different. We're here to help if you need it.
Contact us if you:
- would like assistance
- aren't sure if you can get assistance
- are struggling to support yourself or your family
- would like more information.