Financial Wellbeing

Whether you're looking for tips to make your money go further, want to feel more in control of your finances, or need help and support with financial difficulties, we've got you covered.

We recently teamed up with MoneyHelper to bring you a range of tools and calculators so that knowing where your money goes, or can go, has never been easier.

If you are struggling with money or debt don't suffer alone. The RCN Welfare team can support members on a wide range of welfare related issues and are here to offer confidential, non-judgmental advice to try and help you get back on track.

If you want to know which financial wellbeing resources could be helpful given your situation or what the RCN Welfare Service may be able to assist with, use the Financial Wellbeing checker below.

Are you experiencing financial difficulty?

Yes No

Have you had a recent reduction in household income or, are you expecting a reduction to your household income?

Yes No

Have you had advice about your entitlement to welfare benefits and/or made claims for benefits that you may be eligible for?

If you are unsure about your entitlement to welfare benefits, we recommend you first read our section on benefits and use the online benefit calculators.

If you require advice after using the calculator the RCN Welfare Service, can assist you to check your eligibility for welfare benefits and advise you how to claim. Please note, we cannot help you to complete claims for benefits.

We can also support you to explore other ways of maximising your income.

To request a referral to the RCN Welfare Service, RCN members can call RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 or see other ways to get in touch.

Yes No

Do you have debts?

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.

Yes No

Debts include things like rent arrears, council tax arrears, utility arrears, credit cards, loans and other types of debts.

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

Money Advice Service: Options for Clearing your debts (England and Wales)
Money Advice Service: Options for Clearing your debts (Scotland)
Money Advice Service: Options for Clearing your debts (Northern Ireland)

Individuals who are not members of the RCN can access guidance and details of where to get support from the MoneyHelper website.

You have stated that you are experiencing financial difficulty but you do not have debt and you have already established your entitlement to welfare benefits. You may be concerned about managing a reduction to your income and benefit from advice about reducing expenditure and other ways to maximise your income.

We recommend you use the budget planner tool to help you get a good understanding of your expenditure costs, both fixed and flexible.

Do you want to know about your entitlement to benefits, check you are in receipt of the correct benefits or tax credits , and/or need help to challenge or change a benefit decision?

Yes No

We recommend you first read our section on benefits and use the online benefits calculators.

If you require advice after using the calculator, the RCN Welfare Service can assist you to check your eligibility for welfare benefits and advise you how to claim. Please note, we cannot help you to complete claims for benefits.

We can also support you to explore other ways of maximising your income and/or challenging a benefits decision.

To request a referral to the RCN Welfare Service contact RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 or see other ways to get in touch.

You have stated that you are not experiencing financial difficulty, you do not have debt, and you have already established your entitlement to welfare benefits.

Many of our members find our budget planner tool and money navigator helpful.

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Help with benefits

If you're confused by the benefits system, have questions about changes to your benefits, or need to challenge a benefits decision, we can help.

Managing your money

Resources, and tools to help you with budgeting, banking, car costs, utilities, tips on saving and advice on analysing spending habits.

Money worries

Advice if you're worried about your finances, rent/mortgage, or debt, as well as information on charitable funding, financial aid and where to seek support.