York Talk Money Campaign July 26

Here to help you, York Talk Money Monday 6 July to Friday 17 July

Be savvy with your bills this summer, save smart, live better.

York Talk Money is back from Monday 6 July to Friday 17 July 2026

Make the most of changes to benefits for families this summer

Universal Credit support for families has changed. The two-child limit no longer applies. If you have more than two children and get Universal Credit you can claim an extra amount for your third – or subsequent children.

This means more families can get help from Universal Credit – Use our better off calculator to make sure you’re not missing out. www.york.gov.uk/BenefitsCalculator

Changes to Free School Meals are happening from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Department for Education are expanding FSM eligibility to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit regardless of household earnings.

All parents/carers receiving UC must reapply for their child to receive free school meal. Check your eligibility and register with your school.

Find out more and how to get help to apply at www.york.gov.uk/benefits

York’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) offers fun activities for keeping active, being creative, and trying something new over the Easter, summer, and winter school holidays.

Children and young people in receipt of benefit-related free school meals can receive up to 4 sessions of free activities and nutritious food.

Find out more and how to book at www.raiseyork.co.uk/directories/holiday-activities-food

York Talk Money is here to help you make the most of your money. Whether it’s for your day-to-day spending, or to see you through planned and unplanned events.

Thousands of people in York are missing out on benefits and financial support they’re entitled to. With the cost of living still high, it’s more important than ever to make sure your finances are in the best possible shape.

Ask yourself:

Ø Are you missing out on financial support?

Ø Are you spending more than you need to on everyday essentials?

Here are some simple steps you can take

Check what financial support you could be entitled to using the independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator at www.york.gov.uk/BenefitsCalculator

Check out www.york.gov.uk/benefits to find out about local support schemes.

If you’re over State Pension age and on a low income, check if you can get Pension Credit. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. You might get extra help too, if you’re a carer, are disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Find out more at www.gov.uk/pension-credit

If you have children make sure you’re not missing out on help with childcare, school meals and more at

www.york.gov.uk/free-school-meals/eligibility-free-school-meals

www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

www.raiseyork.co.uk/childcare-search

www.raiseyork.co.uk/young-people/money-matters

Energy bills

1. Check you are on the cheapest tariff
You should check with your gas/electricity supplier to make sure you are on the cheapest tariff available for you. Some suppliers have tariff's for people on a low income.

Contact your energy supplier to make sure you are on the cheapest tariff available and see how much you can save.

2. See if you would be better off with a different provider. Use an accredited price comparison website to find and compare energy tariffs:

Check if you can save on your water bills

Yorkshire Water have 2 schemes.
Check if you are eligible for Water Sure or Water Support at
www.yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/help-paying-your-bill/

For lots more ways to save on your household bills
and where you can get help if you are struggling to make ends meet

Go to

www.livewellyork.co.uk/talkmoney

If you need assistance local services can help

It might seem difficult, but saving as little as £5 per week for a year, could build up over £250.

Save small amounts for those unexpected costs and to get ready for
- summer activities
- back to school and uniforms
- Christmas 2024

Spread the cost by setting something aside regularly.

Check out the best regular savings interest rates with your bank.

Money Saving Expert has advice on How to choose the right savings account

Open a Community First Community Bank savings account and you could get a £25 bonus.
Find out more about their Back to School and Christmas Savings Accounts at www.communityfirstcu.co.uk/savings

Borrow wisely

If you need to borrow use the Money Helper tool to see the different credit options available – including credit cards, loans, salary advances and many more.

Check out Citizens Advice guide for 'Top tips for borrowing'.

Community First Community Bank offer fair and affordable loans built around your needs. Whether you need a loan for an unexpected expense, a holiday or to help finance a new household item;

Community First offers special schemes too. Money management support to those working, including discounted and 0% borrowing rates, to making accessing the latest household appliances - including delivery, and where required installation's and the removal of old appliances - at discounted rates.

Find out more about how Community First Bank can help you manage your money and join today at www.communityfirstcu.co.uk or call 03030300010
Email info@communityfirstcu.co.uk

Don’t struggle alone. If you need help with benefits or money local organisations can help.
- See the calendar below.
- Visit www.york.gov.uk/BenefitsAdvice or your local community venue
- www.york.gov.uk/talkmoney to find out more about local advice services.

For more money advice, leaflets and information, please visit www.livewellyork.co.uk/talkmoney .

Pick up a Worrying about Money? leaflet at your library or community centre.

Drop-in to community hub information events

Special York Talk Money Community Events

Join us for our welcoming and informative community advice events with practical advice, resources, and free giveaways!

Get advice and support on benefits, energy advice, water support, plus digital support to get advice and claim online.

Don't miss out—come along, get the know-how and confidence.

See you there!

📅 Date: Wednesday 8 July

🕐 Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm

📍Venue: Acomb WMC, 12 Front St, Acomb, York, YO24 3BZ

📅 Date: Sunday 12 July

🕐 Time: 10.30pm - 3.00pm

📍Venue: York Community Stadium, Monks Cross, York YO32 9AF

Community drop-ins

Day and times	Venue	Advice provider
Monday - Twice monthly 10:00am - 12:00 noon	Huntington Community Centre 26 Strensall Road, Huntington, York YO32 9RG - 2^nd & 4^th Monday of the month	Citizens Advice York
Monday 10:00am -12:00 noon	Citizens Advice York West Offices, Station Rise, York YO1 6GA	Citizens Advice York
Monday - Monthly 11:00am – 1:00pm	St Sampsons Centre Church Street, York, YO1 8BE - 1^st Monday of the month	Age UK York
Monday 10.00am - 4.00pm	The Hub @ 30 Clarence Street, 30 Clarence Street, York Y031 7DE	Peasholme Charity
Monday 11.00am to 1.00pm	York Foodbank The Gateway Centre Front Street Acomb YO24 3BZ	Peasholme Charity
Tuesday 9.15am to 11.00am	Clements Hall Nunthorpe Road YO23 1BQ	CYC Benefits Adviser
Tuesday 10.00am to 12:00 noon	York Foodbank Vineyard Church 3 Fawcett Street, YO10 4AH	Peasholme Charity
Tuesday 1.00pm to 3.00pm	Marjorie Waite Court Evelyn Crescent, Clifton YO30 6DX	CYC Benefits Adviser
Tuesday 12:00 noon to 1.30pm	Community Café St Wulstan Church 48 Fossway, Heworth YO31 8SL	CYC Benefits Adviser
Wednesday Monthly 9.30am to 11.30am	Lidgett Community Café Lidgett Grove Methodist Church Wheatlands Grove,YO26 5NH - Last Wednesday of every month	Citizens Advice York
Wednesday 9.30am to midday	CYC Community Housing Office, 217 Lindsey Avenue, Holgate, YO26 4RL	CYC Benefits Adviser
Wednesday 9:30am - 12:30pm	The Old School Mill Lane, Wigginton, York YO32 2PU - 1^st & 3^rd Wednesday of every month	Citizens Advice York
Wednesday 10.00am - 4.00pm	The Hub @ 30 Clarence Street, 30 Clarence Street, York Y031 7DE	Peasholme Charity
Wednesday 1.00pm to 3.00pm	Living Word Church 189 Huntington Road, YO31 9BP	Peasholme Charity
Thursday 10.00am to 12:00 noon	Chapelfields Community Centre Sanderson Court Community House, Bramham Road, YO26 5AR	CYC Benefits Adviser Citizens Advice York
Thursday 10.30am to 2.00pm	Planet Food pay-as-you-feel café Southlands Community Centre, Bishopthorpe Road, YO23 1NX	CYC Benefits Adviser
Thursday 2.00pm to 4.00pm	York Foodbank St Joseph's Church Hall ,Sutton Way, Kingsway North, YO30 6JX	Peasholme Charity
Friday 9.30am to 10.30am	Advice Hub Tang Hall Community Centre Fifth Ave, Tang Hall, YO31 0UG	CYC Benefits Adviser
Friday - Monthly 10.30am to 12.30pm	Quick Queries Drop-In CYC Community Housing Office, 217 Lindsey Avenue, Holgate, YO26 4RL 2^nd Friday of every month	Citizens Advice York
Friday 10.30am to 1.30pm	York Foodbank Cornerstone 119 Millfield Lane, Tang Hall, YO10 3AP	Peasholme Charity
Friday 11.30am to 1.30pm	Community Furniture Store Unit 29 The Raylor Centre, James Street YO10 3DW	CYC Benefits Adviser
Friday 11.45am to 1.30pm	Foxwood Community Centre Cranfield Place, YO24 3HY	CYC Benefits Adviser

Watch our three information sessions recorded during York Talk Money our last campaign.

Jenny from MoneyHelper gives information on a range of topics from budgeting and saving to dealing with debt and talking to children about money. It will include demonstrations of tools and calculators available to help you manage your money and information about where you can go to get further support and guidance on all thing’s money.

Making the most of your money - Money Helper

It's more important than ever that everyone who is entitled to Pension Credit makes their claim. There are over 1500 people in York who are not claiming who could be eligible.

If you're over State Pension age and finding it tricky to make ends meet, you might be able to claim Pension Credit to top up your income.

York Welfare Benefits Unit will explain
- What is Pension Credit?
- How much Pension Credit could you get?
- Who is eligible to claim Pension Credit?
- How to claim Pension Credit
- What other help comes along with claiming Pension Credit, including Winter Fuel Payment

Find out about Pension Credit and how to claim - York Welfare Benefits Unit

York Energy Advice will help you make the right choices to save energy and money.
…And help the planet too!

Save energy & money - York Energy Advice