Advice and assistance

Following the withdrawal of dedicated government funding the Local Welfare Provision scheme within Bexley ended with effect from 1 April 2015.

The London Borough of Bexley does recognise that it is important to ensure that residents who require financial advice and assistance are able to access these services.

Budgeting loans are available to people currently claiming Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit. Loans can be provided for items such as furniture and white goods.

The Learning & Enterprise College Bexley includes training workshops on interview skills, writing a CV, completing job applications, careers advice, and advice on in work and back to work benefits.

Learning & Enterprise College Bexley offers adult education, vocational qualifications and employment support.

The Greenwich and Bexley Credit Union is a savings and loans co-operative owned and run by its members, all profits are put back into the business or paid out to members as a dividend on savings.

When you join and start making a regular saving into your account, you will always have some money put aside. You can withdraw your savings or take out a loan. As you repay your loan, you keep making a small contribution to your savings so you always end up with more than you started with.

Bexley Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities to help people resolve their legal, money, debt, benefit, employment, housing, consumer, discrimination and other issues. Advice is given in person, by email or phone.

Bexley Age UK is an independent charity providing support and a wide range of services to the over 50s in Bexley. Their services include information and advice, handyman services and day centres.

Bexley foodbank receives donations of non-perishable and in-date food. Care professionals registered with the food bank, such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, citizen’s advice bureau and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days of emergency food. Contact Bexley foodbank for more information about the agencies that hold foodbank vouchers and how you can get help.

Christians Against Poverty provides a free debt counselling service to everyone. They also offer a free money course and job clubs.

Kent Savers Credit Union promote saving and provide members with loans at reasonable rates. 

For people who are eligible, are homeless or threatened with homelessness we are able to help with securing properties with the deposit and rent in advance (1 month) through a low interest loan with Kent Savers Credit Union. The property must be suitable and affordable and the loan repayments affordable. Anyone needing this assistance can contact the Housing Options team by completing a housing support form.  

StepChange Debt Charity provides free debt advice through its telephone debt helpline and online debt remedy tool.

Shelter gives practical housing advice and support online, in person and by phone 365 days a year and helps with everything from mortgage arrears to finding a place to sleep.