Do You Need Our Help?

A crisis can happen for all sorts of reasons – it could be financial, struggling with benefit delays, feeling unsafe in your home because of a partner or ex-partner, or struggling to cope generally. CHS may be able to help, or point you in the right direction for the support you need.

There is no need to struggle alone.

Scroll down this page to find out ways we can help.

We can help and on this page there is information about:

Confusion about Universal Credit
Access to Food Banks
Emergency Helplines
Feeling unsafe in your home
Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)

Universal Credit – key information

Universal Credit is a benefit paid by the government to help with living costs. It is gradually replacing the following older benefits:

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit (for most working-age claimants)

You usually receive one monthly payment instead of several separate benefits.

Who will move to Universal Credit

Most working-age people on the benefits listed above will move to Universal Credit. The government plans for all working-age legacy benefit claimants to move to Universal Credit by March 2026.

People over state pension age (currently 66, rising to 67) are not affected by Universal Credit and usually claim Pension Credit instead.

Rent and housing costs

Universal Credit includes a ‘Housing Element’ to help with rent.

This replaces Housing Benefit
The housing money is normally paid to you.
If your rent changes or you are worried about paying rent, tell Money Matters team as soon as possible so we can support you

Managed migration

If you currently receive legacy benefits and nothing has changed:

The DWP will send you a migration notice letter when it is time to move
You must apply within the deadline in the letter to avoid your benefits stopping
Please contact our Money Matters team so we can help you with your application

If you are currently in receipt of legacy benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance and nothing has changed then you don’t need to take any action until you receive the ‘managed migration’ letter from the DWP to tell you to take action. If you don’t understand, please ask for help.

Find the latest 2025-2026 benefits rate leaflet

Food Banks

We are a member of the Cambridge Food Poverty Alliance which brings together people and organisations in the City who are committed to reducing food poverty. Visit this useful link to see the emergency food provision available in Cambridge Emergency food signposting tool Also check if you are eligible for Healthy Start Vouchers to ensure you are not missing out.

Emergency Help Lines

Are you feeling stressed, worried or experiencing feelings you can’t manage? Talking to someone who will listen and won’t judge and will help you through is vital. All of the below are free phone helplines: Samaritans call 116 123 Available 365 days a year 24 hours a day NHS call 111 and press option 2 for a 24 hour service for people in a mental health crisis living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Lifeline 0808 808 2121 7-11pm 7 days a week

Citizen’s Advice

Cambridge and District Citizens Advice (Cambridge & South Cambs)

https://www.cambridgecab.org.uk/ Look up specific advice categories on website. Fill in online form to request further help.

Adviceline Freephone: 08082 787808 Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm

Video calls and in person appointments must all be pre-booked.

Community locations for in person help are shown on website and must be pre-booked.

Rural Cambs Citizens Advice

Huntingdonshire & Fenland – full service.

East Cambs – limited service for Universal Credit claim support, Debt advice and help with CLAS applications only.

https://www.citizensadviceruralcambs.org.uk/ Look up specific advice categories on website. Fill in online form to request further help.

Urgent queries only: phone 0808 278 7807 Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm.

Foodbanks: https://www.citizensadviceruralcambs.org.uk/food-banks-in-huntingdonshire-fenland-east-cambs/

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Domestic Abuse – Do you feel safe in your home?

You do not have to suffer abuse alone and there are people here at CHS who can help

Domestic abuse can happen in any household. It is widespread and under-reported, and can happen to men or women. Abuse generally has a negative impact on a person’s mental and/or physical well-being and also affects the emotional and social well-being of children in the household. It need not be physical violence – it may be emotional, psychological, financial or controlling behaviour. CHS is opposed to all forms of domestic abuse (whether between partners / ex-partners or between other family members and against vulnerable adults) and will positively support those who experience it. We will take strong action against the perpetrators of domestic violence where we have the power to do so, and work with partner agencies to help to increase the choices for those who are abused.

For more information visit our dedicated Domestic Abuse is Not OK page

Anti-Social Behaviour – ASB

Sometimes anti-social behaviour is more urgent because you’re in danger or going through severe harassment. If you feel in physical danger, call the police on 101 or 999 depending on how severe the risk is. Where necessary CHS can work with the police and other agencies to help resolve the problem. If you feel you’re being harassed, you can contact your Housing Officer and they will talk you through the options. Click here for more information