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Please use the online benefits calculators to check your entitlement. If you're entitled to benefits, you should make a claim as soon as possible as most benefits cannot be backdated. The benefit calculator will give instructions on how to claim and who to contact.
Benefit calculators are not designed for:
If you have extenuating circumstances that mean you cannot use the benefits calculator, and do not have someone to help you, contact RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 or see other ways to get in touch.
Please note the RCN Welfare Service cannot help you to complete claims for benefits.
If you have used the calculator and claimed any benefits you're entitled to, but still have financial difficulties, please see our Managing your Money resources below which include advice on charitable funding and other sources of financial aid, local authority assistance, dealing with debt, increasing your income, and more.
Many of our members find our budget planner tool and money navigator helpful.
If you have used the calculator but still have questions about your entitlement or which benefits to claim you can contact RCN Direct to request a referral to the RCN Welfare Service.
If you need advice on disputing, changing, or challenging a benefits decision, see the RCN Welfare Service's advice on Understanding Benefits.
If you need information about disputing a benefit decision or change to your benefits, see the RCN Welfare Service advice on Understanding Benefits.
(Debts include credit cards, loans, store cards, hire purchase agreements, and council tax arrears, utility arrears and mortgage arrears. Debts also include Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA) and Debt Management Plans.)
Debts include credit cards, loans, store cards, hire purchase agreements, and council tax arrears, utility arrears and mortgage arrears. Debts also covers Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA) and Debt Management Plans. Please note, for the purpose of this question, debts do not include your ongoing, contractual payments for mortgages, utilities and council tax.
Debt repayments can be negotiated so if your debt repayments are causing you financial difficulty, we recommend you seek money advice.
If you are unsure whether debt repayments are the cause of your financial difficulty we recommend you use this helpful budget planner tool before you seek further advice.
The RCN Welfare Service offers advice and representation on a range of issues which includes problem debt such as: Overpayment of wages, rent arrears, overpayment of NHS Pensions, welfare benefit and tax credit debts, council tax arrears and utility bill debts.
RCN members can access the Welfare Service by calling RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 or you can see other ways to get in touch.
At the current time, the RCN is unable to offer FCA Regulated Debt advice, so if you are seeking advice with consumer credit debts such as credit cards, bank overdrafts and/or Hire Purchase, then please use the links below for information on the steps you can take and how to access support
Individuals who are not members of the RCN can access guidance and details of where to get support from the MoneyHelper website.
Debts include things like rent arrears, council tax arrears, utility arrears, credit cards, loans and other types of debts.
We recommend you use the budget planner tool to help you get a good understanding of your expenditure costs, both fixed and flexible.
Your answers have indicated that you do not need to claim benefits, do not anticipate financial difficulties, and do not need advice on debt.
You may wish to use our budget planner tool and money navigator tools to help you feel more in control of your finances.
