Help & advice
If you are having payment difficulties, we strongly recommend that you seek independent, free debt advice.
Please see a list of organisations and other useful contacts below
Money Made Clear
0800 917 7823 (freephone)
www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk
Money Made Clear from the Financial Services Authority. Cut out the jargon and give you just the facts about financial products and services, helping you to make an informed decision.
Advice UK
020 7407 4070
www.adviceuk.org.uk
All members provide free and confidential advice, but not all provide money advice.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
(UK and Northern Ireland)
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Visit the CAB website for the telephone number of your local bureau or look it up in your phone book
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)
0800 138 1111 (freephone)
www.cccs.co.uk
They offer a structured program of advice on how to manage your money.
Credit Action
0800 138 1111 (freephone)
www.creditaction.org.uk
They work in partnership with the CCCS and publish fact sheets about debt and budgeting.
Consumer Direct
08454 040506
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
They do not provide debt counseling, but can give advice when a creditor or debt collector is acting unlawfully.
Money Advice Scotland
0141 572 0237
www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
They provide details of advice agencies throughout Scotland that offer a free, independent, impartial and confidential advice service.
National Debtline
0808 808 4000 (freephone)
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
They provide a free, confidential and independent telephone advice service.
Business Debtline
0800 197 6026 (freephone)
www.bdl.org.uk
They provide free, confidential and independent advice for self-employed people and small businesses.
Pay plan
0800 917 7823
www.payplan.com
They provide free confidential advice on debt problems.
Shelter - the housing and homeless charity
0808 800 4444 (free phone)
England - www.England.shelter.org.uk or
Scotland - www.Scotland.shelter.org.uk
Shelter cannot house you, but we can give confidential help to people with all kinds of housing problems.
Other useful contacts
The organisations below may also be able to help you:
The Community Legal Service
www.clsdirect.org.uk
They aim to make it easier for you to get legal help and advice – visit their website for details of agencies in your area.
Jobcentre plus Office
Your local office can tell you if you are eligible for any State benefits - look in your phone book for details.
Financial Ombudsman Service
0845 080 1800
www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall London E14 9SR - Complaints resolution.
The Pension Service
0845 60 60 265
0800 60 60 285 (Minicom/textphone)
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
For a Pension Credit booklet.
Directgov
0845 300 3900 (Tax credits helpline)
0845 300 3909 (Minicom/Textphone)
www.directgov.gov.uk
For information about tax credits.