Benefit or debt advice

We understand that many of your are on low incomes or benefits and managing you money may be difficult in today’s climate. We will try to help you where we can.

We have produced a booklet, Your money in your hands to try and help you make the most of your money and get all the benefits you are entitled to. The booklet covers bank accounts and credit unions, dealing with debt, managing your bills, access to benefits, getting into work and much more.

Benefits advice

If you qualify for Housing Benefit we will give you the forms you’ll need to make your claim, and help you fill them in, but it is up to you to find out if you qualify, and make sure your rent is paid on time.

You may be eligible for other benefits, such as council tax benefit, working tax credit, child tax credit, job seekers allowance and disability living allowance.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for benefits the Benefits Adviser page on the Department for Work and Pensions web site has a calculator to help you work this out. You can also check your eligibility for housing benefit via the Directgov website.

Dealing with debt

Millions of people in Britain have debts due to a combination of low incomes and over spending. If you are worried about getting into debt it is very important that you get help straight away and we can guide and refer you to other support agencies and services. Important dos and don'ts:

	Don’t ignore the problem or try to hide debts, things will just get worse
	Do get professional advice
	Don’t borrow more money to repay debts
	Do make a list of everyone you owe money to and let them know you are having problems. You might be able to come to an agreement with them (such as paying in instalments, or paying smaller instalments over a longer period of time)
	Do prioritise debts and pay these first – examples of priority debts are rent and service charges, council tax, gas and electricity

We have included some useful links to public services and agencies.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

The CAB helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers

Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) helps millions of people in the UK every day lead safer, fairer and more rewarding lives, free from poverty.

Directgov

Directgov is the government’s public information and online services website. Find advice and support on money matters, benefits, motoring, human rights, the environment and much more, all in one place.

Entitledto

Entitledto helps you check whether you are missing out on benefits and tax credits? Entitledto can help make sure you get what is yours.

Job Centre Plus

Jobcentre Plus aims to help more people into paid work, help employers fill vacancies, and give people of working age the help and support they are entitled to if they cannot work.

National Debtline - Tel: 0808 808 4000

National Debtline offers free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service - Tel: 0800 138 1111

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is a debt counselling service that can give you the information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family at a difficult time. As a charity, CCCS does not charge for any of its debt help and now you can access advice and construct a budget at the click of a mouse through its free service - CCCS Debt Remedy.

The Money Advice Service

Part of the Financial Services Authority, it helps you find the information you need regarding finances.