Help with your finances
If you have worries about money, it’s never too late to get advice and help. This page is intended to signpost you to a number of useful contacts who can provide help and advice when you need it most.
Debt advice
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There is plenty of free advice available regarding debt.
Quite often, the earlier you tackle any problems, the quicker
they will be solved.
National Debtline provides free, independent, confidential
and impartial advice on how to deal with debt problems. Contact them on 0808 808 4000.
For people eligible for legal aid, you can get help from
Community Legal Advice which is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid. Alternatively, call them on 0845 345 4 345. Bankruptcy-Insolvency.co.uk-debt advice service The Illegal Money Lending Team can help anyone who
is having problems with loan sharks. A ‘loan shark’ is anyone who is lending money without having a licence from the
Office of Fair Trading (OFT). These unlicensed money-lenders are working illegally.Contact them on 0300 555 2222,Local help which is free and impartial is available through Citizen’s Advice Bureaux (CAB). Their website is www.citizensadvice.org.uk and local offices are listed in Yellow Pages. |
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Other organisations that can help you
There are a number of other support agencies who may be able to help you. For example:
· Age Uk
· Royal National Institute for the Blind
· Macmillan Cancer Support
· Shelter
· The Royal British Legion or the Royal Airforce Benevolent Fund
can help anyone with connections to the armed forces who are struggling with financial problems.
Energy bills
Read on for ideas on how to save money on fuel bills:
Compare the market! For a number of years, different energy companies have been allowed to compete in supplying gas and electricity to homes. Check which ones provide energy where
you live and which offer the best deal. Regularly compare the price you pay for your electricity and gas by using price comparison sites. Using the same supplier for both
your gas and electricity will often save you money. You can also get help and advice on switching suppliers to save money by visiting the Energy Help Line website. To find out more about grants, visit the British Gas Energy Trust
My Home Energy Switch! Do you want to pay less for your energy? With energy bills on the rise call us free on 0800 051 5346 or visit www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk today to find the best price for your gas and electricity. Click here to view a flyer about the service they provide!
Keep track of Direct Debits
If you pay by Direct Debit, keep a track of how much you pay each year. Sometimes, energy suppliers advise, unnecessarily, that you need to increase the amount you pay each month. If this is the case, be clear and firm about how much you wish to pay and request any credit back in a refund.
Check your bills
If you haven’t given your supplier an accurate meter reading, your bill is likely to be an estimated amount. Always check your bills to make sure the amount
charged is about right, or phone your suppler with an up to date meter reading.
Winter Fuel
Winter Fuel is a helpline available for anyone aged over 60,
who is normally resident in UK and needs help keeping warm
in winter. Contact 08459 151 515.
Making the most of your money
Keep up to date with your bank balance
Checking bank balances couldn’t be much easier these days.
All ATM machines offer this as a free facility, although you
should be aware that some ATMs will charge you to withdraw
money! These charges vary, but you will always be asked
permission before the charge is taken. Most banks offer
an online or telephone service so you can always get an
up-to-date record, as well as monthly statements.
Using direct debits or standing orders means you do not
have to worry about paying your bills. However always
make sure you have enough funds to cover these
regular payments to avoid costly bank charges.
Get help with bank accounts and overdraft charges
The Financial Services Authority Money Made Clear
website has a lot of helpful information about bank
accounts for anyone who finds their finances are being
swallowed up by overdraft charges
Keep track of Direct Debits
If you pay by Direct Debit, keep a track of how much you pay each year. Sometimes, energy suppliers advise, unnecessarily, that you need to increase the amount you pay each month. If this is the case, be clear and firm about how much you wish to pay and request any credit back in a refund.
Check your bills
If you haven’t given your supplier an accurate meter reading, your bill is likely to be an estimated amount. Always check your bills to make sure the amount
charged is about right, or phone your suppler with an up to date meter reading.
charged is about right, or phone your suppler with an up to date meter reading.
|
Winter Fuel
Winter Fuel is a helpline available for anyone aged over 60,
who is normally resident in UK and needs help keeping warm in winter. Contact 08459 151 515. |
Making the most of your money
Keep up to date with your bank balance
|
Checking bank balances couldn’t be much easier these days.
All ATM machines offer this as a free facility, although you should be aware that some ATMs will charge you to withdraw money! These charges vary, but you will always be asked permission before the charge is taken. Most banks offer an online or telephone service so you can always get an up-to-date record, as well as monthly statements. Using direct debits or standing orders means you do not
have to worry about paying your bills. However always make sure you have enough funds to cover these regular payments to avoid costly bank charges. Get help with bank accounts and overdraft charges
The Financial Services Authority Money Made Clear
website has a lot of helpful information about bank accounts for anyone who finds their finances are being swallowed up by overdraft charges |
