Millions 'too embarrassed' to ask for financial help
27/06/2009
Almost a third of people fear they are going to be financially worse off by the end of the year than they are now. Furthermore 40% wouldn’t be able to cover bills if they didn’t receive their next pay cheque, according to new research from the charity Turn2us. Despite this, almost half (45%) say they would be too embarrassed to ask for help.
The survey also indicates a lack of public awareness of who to turn
to for financial help. For instance, 51% didn’t know you could turn
to charities, while nine in 10 wouldn’t know how to get help from them.
Turn2us has launched a nationwide campaign supported by actress and TV presenter Lisa Maxwell to raise awareness of the benefits, tax credits and charitable grants available for people struggling for money.
Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive of Turn2us, said: “People are experiencing severe financial anxiety as the recession continues to bite and are not well prepared should they lose their main source of income. Asking for help is not easy for anyone, but embarrassment shouldn’t prevent so many people from getting money they desperately need.”
“Support is out there. Around £14 billion of state aid goes unclaimed each year and over 3,300 charities exist that give grants to people in need. They cover many eventualities from paying utility bills to providing clothing allowances.”
Turn2us - which was founded and is funded by Elizabeth Finn Care - provides a free, confidential, online service designed to help individuals quickly and easily find the benefits, tax credits or charity grants available to them – all in one place. The site has a number of tools to make the process simpler, including a benefits checker, and grants search. There is also a ‘find an adviser’ tool to help locate someone to speak to face-to-face.
The video linked below gives the story from one man's perspective. Mike, a semi-retired publican found himself unemployed and unable to cope. In the clip, he explains how he managed.