Financial inclusion

Find out how our Financial Inclusion team can help if you're struggling to know what support you can access.

Although there is a lot of financial support information available, it can be difficult to know what type of help you can access. 

Our Financial Inclusion Team, Suzanne Howes and Harvey Smith Our Financial Inclusion Team, Suzanne Howes and Harvey Smith

How can we help

Our Financial Inclusion team can help by providing free and confidential support and offering:

  • practical support
  • advice on budgeting
  • information about how to manage your bills

Our service is honest and non-judgemental, and treats everyone with respect.

We know that money worries can be stressful, so we will do everything that we can to support you. Contacting our team will allow you to talk to us about your money worries, plan your expenses and discuss your financial situation.

Get in touch

To start feeling better about your finances, please get in touch:

Telephone: 01263 516221

Email: financial.inclusion@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Write to us at:
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9EN

Booking an appointment

When you contact us, we will make an appointment to discuss your situation in more detail. These can take place:

  • over the phone
  • online
  • in our offices
  • at your home

What happens next

If you are referred to us for support, we will get in touch with you within 2 working days.

If you write to us by letter or email, we will aim to acknowledge this within 2 working days and provide a full response within 7 working days.

Where emergency support is required, we aim to respond within 48 hours.

What can we do:

  • check you are receiving the correct benefits and help you claim any you aren't currently receiving
  • help you to prioritise your bills
  • see whether you can cut costs through better deals and tariffs
  • help you access other grants or refer you to other services if necessary
  • listen to your money worries
  • carry out affordability checks for new applicants to help make sure you can afford your new tenancy
  • assist with providing access to emergency food and some basic essential items where necessary
  • help to request a review of a benefit decision
  • negotiate with creditors around payment plans
  • refer complex cases which need specialist support to organisations that can provide assistance
  • provide information about other services that can give advice and support
  • signpost and recommend training and employment opportunities

We cannot:

  • give specific advice about a particular debt or credit arrangement or advise you what action to take to deal with this
  • act as a debt counselling service
  • advise which debts to prioritise over others
  • provide transportation to benefits or medical appointments

Where issues are too complex for the team to support, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist help you need.

Further advice and support

With the cost of living increasing significantly, many people find it difficult to cover essential daily living costs. However, various measures are available to help people boost their income.

Do not assume you're receiving everything you're entitled to. Always check, and if you're still struggling or in doubt, please get in touch.

Visit our Cost of Living page for more information.

Useful links