Need a hand with the cost of living?
We're here to help
If you're worried about money, struggling with bills or finding it difficult to make ends meet, we're here to help.
Our Community Impact Team offers free, confidential advice and support to FCHO customers. Whether you need help with benefits, energy bills, rent payments or finding affordable food options, we'll work with you to find the right support.
Email: communityservices@fcho.co.uk
Phone: 0161 393 7117
Don't wait until things become overwhelming. Get in touch and we'll explore what help is available.
Benefits and welfare support
Many customers are missing out on benefits they're entitled to without realising it.
If you're unsure what support you can claim, need help understanding changes to your benefits, or would like a benefits check, our team can help.
We can:
- Check you're receiving the right benefits
- Help identify additional support you may be entitled to
- Signpost you to specialist advice where needed
Need support? Contact our Community Impact Team.
Rising energy costs can place significant pressure on household budgets.
If you're struggling to keep up with energy bills or other essential household costs, we can help you understand the support available and connect you with organisations that may be able to help.
We can offer guidance on:
- Energy grants and support schemes
- Managing household bills
- Financial support available locally
Learn more about saving energy and reducing bills
Please remember, cold can damage your health and your home so making sure your home is heated properly is important.
If you're worried about paying your rent or service charges, it's important to speak to us as early as possible.
The sooner we know you're experiencing difficulties, the more options we may have to help.
We can:
- Discuss affordable repayment arrangements
- Check whether you're receiving the right benefits
- Provide advice and support to help you manage your tenancy
If you're looking for ways to reduce your food shopping costs, there are local schemes that can help.
The Bread and Butter Thing and other community-based services provide access to affordable food and everyday essentials.
We can help you find services available in your area and explain how to access them.
If you're looking for work, considering a career change or want to develop new skills, our Directions team can help.
Directions offers support with:
- Job searching
- CV writing
- Interview preparation
- Training and skills development
- Accessing employment opportunities
Find out more about the support available through Directions.
There are also a number of trusted organisations that can provide additional advice and support.
Citizens Advice SORT
Free, independent advice on money, benefits, housing and consumer issues.
National Debtline
Free, independent debt advice and practical support.
Oldham Council
Information about financial support, household support schemes and local services.
Oldham Council 'we can help' webpage
Additional support
Help to make your money go further
Our Community Impact team can help you maximise your income with:
- Access to The Bread and Butter Thing affordable food service
- Checks on what benefits you’re entitled to - including Pension Credit, which gives you extra money to help with living costs including the Winter Fuel Payment.
- Give you tailored support to help you make your money go further
- Access to furniture and white goods to help make your house a home
Be scam aware
As the cost of living crisis impacts us all, remember to stay scam aware.
Citizens Advice offer this advice and it might be a scam if:
- It seems too good to be true – for example, scammers pretending to be energy companies to lure people into “too good to be true” deals
- You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company, organisation or a genuine person – take a moment to step back and double-check
- You’ve been pressured to transfer money quickly
- You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – like by an iTunes vouchers or a transfer service
- You’ve been asked to give away personal information such as passwords, PINs or other verification codes.