Hard-up families in Hull look set to be offered "jam jar" accounts to help them clear debts and save for Christmas.
The Hull Families' Project in Greenwood Avenue is in early talks with Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union to launch the budget accounts.
Beth Allen, development co-ordinator at The Hull Families' Project, believes the approach makes sense given the amount of time spent helping people tackle their money problems.
She said: "We are still in negotiations with Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union and we have a meeting on Monday.
"A lot of people in Hull are struggling financially. The 'jam jar', or budget accounts, will be held at the credit union.
"We will encourage those struggling to manage their money to open one of these accounts.
"It will provide families with the means to manage their money, while helping to clear debts.
"It just so happens that we are looking to launch this in the run-up to Christmas, which tends to be a busy time for us."
Ms Allen stressed details concerning how the link-up will work are yet to be finalised, but essentially the project will direct users to the not-for-profit credit union.
It will then play a role in helping them run their account.
"It will not just be a case of us helping people sign up to one of these accounts and leaving them to it," she said.
"We will help them get the most from the account and we will also offer our other family support packages."
In the past four months, the project, a registered charity launched in 2009, has helped about 40 families across the city.
"Families come to us with a range of problems from relationship breakdowns to child behaviour issues," Ms Allen said.
"When we launched, we didn't tend to ask people if they had financial problems.
"Now, we are in the process of adapting our referral processes so we ask that question.
"Money and debt issues is an increasing problem in Hull."
It is not just the unemployed who are becoming crippled by debt, explained Ms Allen.
She said: "There are lots of people in paid work struggling, due to rising bills.
"Some of these people have seen their hours or pay cut or are paid a low wage."
Ms Allen is encouraging struggling families to attend The Hull Families' Project's surgeries, which are held each Wednesday, from 10am to 4pm.
Booking is not essential, but is advised. Call 01482 809333 for more details or to book.
• Visit hullandeycu.co.uk for more information about the credit union.• Business news for Hull and East Yorkshire
