1. You are here:
  2. Home
  3. / Benefits
  4. / Help with financial hardship

Help with financial hardship

The last 24 months have brought significant challenges to our communities with increased financial pressures for many people. If you are experiencing difficulties, free confidential advice and wider support is available.

Immediate financial help from Bury council

If your household has a low income and you are struggling with your finances, support is available. To check eligibility and apply visit Benefits.

  • Extra financial help may be available to help towards your rent and Council Tax: Discretionary payments
  • The Household Support Fund can provide one-off payments for food, fuel, repairs, school uniforms and clothing and other essential winter provisions: Household Support Fund - ends on 31 March 2022.
  • We can provide food and fuel vouchers (as well as referrals for) food parcels: Bury Support Fund
  • A confidential benefits checker to make sure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to: Benefits calculator and budget planner

If you are a Six Town Housing tenant, you can talk through your support options by calling 0161 686 8000 or email enquiries@sixtownhousing.org.

Further information and guidance

Further advice and support is available through the Bury Community Hubs .

Community Hubs are available to support residents and help with essential supplies or for any worries or concerns you may have about money or your general wellbeing. Hubs provide a focus in local neighbourhoods to connect residents to opportunities, services and support including public services, voluntary and community networks.

Contact your local Community Hub by calling 0161 253 5353 or email:

Support can be provided for the following:

Bury and Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau provide tailored advice to your individual needs with support including:

  • A benefit check, to ensure you are receiving everything you are entitles to and explore if there are any grants or discretionary funds available to you.  For further information on benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit which you may be entitled to, a free online calculator is available at Entitled to - Benefits calculator.
  • Debt advice, including money management and how to deal with priority payments.

Freephone Advice line: 0808 278 7804 available Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. Video drop-in service available: Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton - Video advice.

Wellbeing support

Get help if you are struggling with your mental wellbeing:

  • The Bury Directory contains advice and information on childcare, finance, health and wellbeing support with details of local and national support services and a specific section on staying well it winter - The Bury Directory - Winter well
  • A confidential helpline is available for all residents who are experiencing difficulties with their mental wellbeing including that caused by economic hardship. The Getting Help Helpline is available Monday to Saturday 8am-8pm, offering non-clinical support from experience call handlers. The helpline is 0161 464 3679.
  • You can also communicate with trained crisis volunteers (supported by clinical supervisors) by text message, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, simply by texting GMBury to 85258.
  • Information on broader support on mental wellbeing available in Bury and across Greater Manchester is available at Support for mental health and wellbeing.
  • If you are over 50 years of age, live and are registered with a GP in the Borough and not in receipt of adult care support, you can receive support from the Staying Well Team. A Staying Well Coordinator will contact you to arrange to visit you at home and have a chat with you about your health and wellbeing. If you prefer, we can have these conversations over the telephone instead. For more information visit: Staying well or call 0161 253 5151.

For further information on health and wellbeing visit: Health and wellbeing.