Maximising Income Guide for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Once you have secured your devices and accounts, it is important to ensure nobody else has access to your banking app or online account. If someone close to you knows or would be able to guess your passwords or pin numbers that you use to access your banking app or account, it’s important that you change these credentials.

You may be able to do this through your banking app or online account, but if you are unsure, you can call your bank or go in branch to ask for help to do this.
If you have a joint bank account with the person who is harming you, it would be worth considering opening a new bank account which is solely in your name, so you have control over your own money.

We have more information on how to manage a joint account in our Joint Accounts guide.

You will also need to ensure you are aware of and have access to all funds which you are eligible for, for example by:

• Determining which benefits you are entitled to and making an application (for
  example, for Universal Credit, Carers Allowance or Disability Benefits).
• Determining whether you are receiving the correct amount, if already in receipt of benefits.
• If you have children, ensuring you have applied for/are receiving Child Benefit
  These benefits calculators can give you an idea of what/how much you might be eligible for:
  • Turn2us
  • Better Off Calculator
  • entitledto

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can support you when asking for parental contributions towards your children. You do not need to speak to the other parent in order to do this, as the Advisors from the CMS are trained to make this request on your behalf. The CMS offers 2 main different services:

• ‘Direct Pay’, where you arrange payments with the other parent yourself.
• ‘Collect and Pay’ where the Child Maintenance Service collect the funds and pay the money into your account without the other parent knowing your bank account details – there are charges for this service, some of these are recovered from the paying parent, but 4% is deducted from the receiving parent. Find out more information about the service here.

• Council Tax Support benefit

If you are on a low income or claim certain benefits, you may be eligible for a reduction of council tax. In some cases, this reduction can be as high as 100%. Council Tax Support is applied for like other benefits, with an application form, however it is not paid to you, it shows as a reduction on your council tax bill. You can find out if you meet the criteria for Council Tax Support and how to apply by visiting your local council’s website.

• Single Person Discount

If you have separated from the person that is/was harming you, and you are the only adult in your household, you may be eligible for the single person discount, which is a 25% discount on your council tax bill.

• Discretionary Council tax reduction

If you are in arrears with your council tax, it’s important that you speak to the council about this. If your financial situation has been impacted by economic abuse, you may be able to apply for a further Discretionary reduction of the council tax debt. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can call or write to your council to explain your circumstances, explaining that you have been impacted by domestic and economic abuse and ask about possible discretionary reduction (it is sometimes called an Exceptional Hardship Payment or EHP).

Some local authorities may have grants/funds available which may be helpful if you are struggling to pay your rent. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). A DHP is money given by the council to help if you are struggling to pay your rent, or if you need help with a deposit or paying rent in advance if you are moving house. You do not have to pay a DHP back. You will be able to find more information about these payments and whether you are eligible on your local council website.

Some energy providers may have funds and grants available to help if you are in crisis, some of these may be able to help reduce your arrears or debts. It is important to contact your utilities provider if you are struggling to pay your bills or if you are in debt. 

For some utilities funds may want to see that you have received debt advice prior to making an application to the fund. If so you can get Debt Advice for free from a number of organisations like

• PayPlan
• Citizens Advice 
• StepChange 
• National Debtline

On the Money Helper website you can look up free debt advice services that provide support online, on the phone, or face to face here. 

PayPlan provide advice and budgeting tools which can help you plan your finances and understand your banking options. 

Charis have helpful information on their website about some utilities grants and
trust, what’s available and which ones are currently open to new applications.

We highly encourage that you complete a credit check, so you have a full knowledge of the content of your credit file. Please do not set up new accounts with the credit reference agencies until you have made sure your accounts and devices are safe – find out more about how to do this here.

For more information about how to check your credit report for free, see our Credit Report Guide.