Graphic of a hand holding a heart with a pound sign inside

Help with money


If you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food. This includes the Household Support Fund and cost of living payments.

You should check if you can claim benefits - you might be able to do this even if you work, have savings or own a home.

For more useful information and help with money, visit the pages below.

Help with bills

Food

Warm spaces

Childcare

Older People

Jobs

Pension

Transport

What is it?

The SoundPound loan is for people who are new to Greater Manchester credit unions and are looking for a small loan. 

How much can I borrow?

You can apply to borrow £200 – £1000 and have the money paid into your account, sometimes on the same day.

The SoundPound is run by credit unions. Greater Manchester credit unions are helping local people to access safer savings and responsible loans.  This could save you hundreds of pounds compared to credit cards or pay day loans.

How much does it cost?

It costs nothing to join the scheme. The annual interest on a SoundPound Loan is 3.0% per month (APR 42.6%) on the reducing balance. This means that if you borrowed £500 to repay over 12 months, you would pay £50.23 per month, with a total repayment including interest of £602.76. 

How do I access a loan?

Visit the SoundPound website to find out more information.

Your local Credit Union will assess your finances and perform a credit check as part of your loan application.

If you have a poor credit score or low disposable income, you won’t just be turned away. They will work with you to build your credit score as well as your savings. Also, as Credit Unions are not for profit, any money made is reinvested back into the running of the Credit Union and the local area, allowing Credit Unions to continue to offer fair rates to all customers.

If you are eligible for a loan, our Credit Unions offer monthly and weekly repayment plans to suit your lifestyle. Your local Credit Union may also be able to offer you a larger loan.