Financial assessments
Find out what benefits you may be entitled to
Complete the benefit calculator to find out what benefits you may be entitled to, financial support you could get in work and help with childcare costs. Find out about grants and other benefits: free school meals, healthy start, warm home grants and more.
Money
Support and advice is available for help managing your money
Offers support on a range of money related issues, from banking, benefits, borrowing, debt, to food banks and more. You’ll find lots of useful hints and tips with links to key services.
Some useful inks to help you with financial pressures.
Find out what support is available to help with the cost of living. This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
Pension Credit
Do you (or someone you know) need to check if you are eligible for pension credit?
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) and easy read format.
You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit supports you if you are on a low income or out of work.
Universal Credit supports you if you are on a low income or out of work. It includes a monthly payment to help with your living, housing and childcare costs.
Universal Credit supports you if you are on a low income or out of work. It includes a monthly payment to help with your living, housing and childcare costs.
This replaced:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
For further information see: Understanding Universal Credit | GOV.UK
Housing support and homelessness
Support and advice is available with housing
Offers information and advice on a range of topics to help reduce risk of homelessness.
Specialist advice and support for people rough sleeping, anyone needing help with their tenancy, and dedicated services for young people 11-19.
An online tool which helps adults in Leicestershire find information on a range of services, including money, debt, benefits, your home, work, learning and volunteering.
Clothing, furniture and foodbanks
A list of charities that can help you with food, clothing and furniture.
Support and advice is available
Find food banks in Leicestershire easily, using a map view.
Find new and second-hand furniture including beds, fridges, sofas, tables and washing machines.
Locations, opening times and more.
Advice on how to upcycle or donate your old furniture.
The Rural Food Hub Network, funded by UKSPF, aims to supports residents living in our rural areas of Melton Mowbray with emergency food and other essential items.
Reducing waste and saving money
We all like to save some pennies and if we can do this while reducing our carbon footprint this can only help the environment we live in.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Warm Homes
Support and information to help you stay warm at home
The Warm Home Guide
Employment
Employment is not only good for your mental health, it allows you to meet people and improve your confidence.
Careers in Childcare
Careers in childcare can be so rewarding. Are you trained or training to work in the early years sector? If so, check out these links to help you decide what your next steps could be.
leicestershire.gov.uk/career-in-childcare
Childminders are also key providers across the early years sector. You can find our more about becoming a childminder here
Support and advice is available to help you find work
Job search, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), job offers, right to work share codes, apprenticeships and volunteering.
Information on a whole range of issues linked to work and employment.
Is for you, if you need help getting work ready or are looking for jobs. There is a specific section for over 50s.
This site gives support with looking for work, changing careers and links through to courses and training in your local area.
Help with getting into work. They are Leicestershire based and also link in with Go Learn adult learning.
Find an apprenticeship anywhere in England.
Further information
How Five to Thrive can help families with financial worries
While Five to Thrive doesn’t solve financial hardship directly, it can be a powerful tool to help families manage stress, strengthen bonds, and support children’s emotional wellbeing during tough times.
Money worries create enormous stress in families—sometimes called toxic stress when it’s constant and overwhelming. But when adults use Five to Thrive to stay connected, responsive, and nurturing, they help buffer children against the negative impact of poverty.
Here’s how Five to Thrive supports families with financial difficulties:
🟥 Respond
✅ What this looks like:
- Staying emotionally available, even when you are stressed.
- Noticing when your child is worried or acting out because they sense tension.
- Offering comfort and reassurance: “I know things feel hard right now. You are safe and loved.”
✅ Why it matters:
Children often pick up on anxiety but don’t understand it. Responsive care helps them feel secure even when circumstances are uncertain.
🟧 Engage
✅ What this looks like:
- Spending positive time together that doesn’t cost money (walks, playing games, cooking together).
- Keeping routines to create stability.
- Staying connected to supportive people or community services.
✅ Why it matters:
Engagement helps protect against feelings of shame, isolation, and fear that often come with financial hardship.
🟩 Relax
✅ What this looks like:
- Building calming moments into your day—deep breaths, quiet time, bedtime stories.
- Finding ways to self-regulate so you can be present for your child.
- Encouraging relaxation for your child, even in stressful times.
✅ Why it matters:
Stress impacts everyone’s nervous system. Relaxation routines help keep anxiety from escalating.
🟦 Play
✅ What this looks like:
- Free or low-cost play: drawing, singing, park visits, imaginative games.
- Using play to strengthen relationships and let off steam.
- Finding joy together, even during hardship.
✅ Why it matters:
Play builds resilience and supports healthy brain development—especially important in adversity.
🟪 Talk
✅ What this looks like:
- Talking honestly (in an age-appropriate way) about what’s happening.
- Naming feelings: “We don’t have much money for treats right now. That feels hard.”
- Reassuring your child that it’s not their fault.
✅ Why it matters:
Talking helps children process worries and feel included rather than confused or afraid.