Where to get advice in Middlesbrough on benefits, Tax Credits, debt and money issues

Transcription

1 Where to get advice in Middlesbrough on benefits, Tax Credits, debt and money issues

2 This booklet has been produced by Middlesbrough Partnership and provides information on local and national organisations who can provide support and advice on the following: Advice and Information Benefit Entitlements Employment Energy Efficiency, Savings, Advice and Offers Health and Wellbeing Housing Savings and Low Interest Loans Support for Businesses The list of contacts is not exhaustive but should enable residents to be signposted to the main support services. Organisations listed can provide free, impartial and confidential advice and help to residents. The information in the booklet is accurate at the time of production. Index Page Advice and Information 3-5 Benefit Entitlements 6-7 Employment 8-9 Energy Efficiency, Savings, Advice and Offers Health and Wellbeing Support Housing Savings and Low Interest Loans Support for Businesses 19 2

3 ADVICE AND INFORMATION Christians Against Poverty Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is an award winning debt counselling charity with 130 centres across the UK. Middlesbrough Community Church have a heart for serving the people of Middlesbrough and has partnered with CAP to offer free debt counselling for the community. CAP offer a unique combination of budgeting advice, creditor liaison, provision of a CAP Account and personal support. They empower people to work themselves out of debt and transform their finances. CAP will help anyone regardless of beliefs or any other factor and clients are supported until they are debt free. Contact Details: Christians Against Poverty, St Aidans Centre, Clifton Street, Middlesbrough TS5 4BZ Telephone: anneyoung@capuk.org Website: Citizens Advice Bureau Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is a registered charity. It provides free, confidential advice on a wide range of subjects. It has the CLS Specialist Quality Mark for its work in welfare benefits, housing and debt. It deals with 24,000 enquiries per annum, of which 35% are debt related, and 30% benefits related. Middlesbrough CAB supports financial inclusion through: the provision of debt advice, including a team of 8 debt caseworkers providing specialist advice the provision of welfare benefits advice the provision of money guidance (information about budgeting and financial products). The Citizens Advice Bureau can provide help with all personal debt problems, including mortgage and rent arrears, bailiffs and county court action and help with all welfare benefit problems. Advice Centre for personal callers: 9 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. Opening hours: am 3.00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday am 1.00 pm Wednesday Telephone Advice Line: Available: am 1.00 pm Wednesday / 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Tuesday and Friday Visit for free, online advice and information from the Citizens Advice Bureaux service. 3

4 Council Tax Advice and General Enquiries Help and advice if customers are struggling to pay Council Tax or Non Domestic Rates. Contact for general enquiries or for any problems with arrears. Families Talking Provides advice and mediation to families facing separation or divorce. Please visit for more information. Illegal Money Lending Team This government-funded regional project is attached to Trading Standards and provides free and confidential advice to tackle the problem of loan sharks and help their victims. The Team ask that partners provide intelligence on victims / loan shark activity so that they can tackle their heinous crimes, provide practical assistance to victims and remove, or at least reduce, the blight illegal money lenders cause to some of the most financially excluded communities. You can contact the team in confidence on Website: direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks By text / SMS: Text loan shark and message to stoploansharks@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Middlesbrough Council s Money Advice Service (Trading Standards) Middlesbrough Council offers a money advice service to assist residents with multiple debt problems. The service provides practical help and advice in dealing with creditors and the courts and encourages clients to take the next steps to alleviate financial difficulties and worries. Unlike most commercial providers in this sector the service is completely free to Middlesbrough residents. A number of outreach surgeries are provided throughout the town and a home appointment can be arranged if necessary. The service works in partnership with groups to provide assistance to targeted groups and an evening surgery is provided, recognising that many people with debt problems may be working long hours or overtime to try and bridge the gap between income and outgoings. Contact Details: Trading Standards at Vancouver House, Gurney St, Middlesbrough. TS1 1QP Tel money_advice@middlesbrough.gov.uk Website : 4

5 Moneymadeclear Moneymadeclear from the UK s Consumer Financial Education Body, was established by the Financial Services Authority. The website provides impartial information and tools that can help individuals work out what s right for them. The website provides information on: Budgeting Cards and loans Mortgages and homes Insurance Pensions and retirement Savings and investment Tax and benefits A range of step-by-step guides and online calculators Moneymadeclear advice is also available over the telephone on and faceto-face [currently delivered by Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau). Resettlement Plus Helpline The Resettlement Plus Helpline ( ) is a national service that provides information and advice for people with a criminal record, ex-offenders, serving prisoners, their friends and families. This includes information on employment and housing issues. For more information visit: or helpline@nacro.org.uk Tandem Tandem provides free, confidential help and support on a wide range of money matters to all tenants and leaseholders of Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing, part of Fabrick Housing Group. This includes carrying out a full benefit entitlement check; help with debts including rent arrears; comparing loans and fuel tariffs; help with budgeting and other financial services such as basic banking and home contents insurance. Contact Tandem on or free from a landline on Visit for more details of advice providers in Middlesbrough and how to contact them. 5

6 BENEFIT ENTITLEMENTS Cleveland Housing Advice Centre Provides help with welfare benefit problems, advice on mortgage and rent arrears, bailiffs and county court action. Contact: 16 Borough Road, Middlesbrough or phone Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus provides a wide range of information and services on benefits advice, loans and grants. They support customers by providing advice on benefits available, the conditions for receipt, and the paying of them accurately and on time. They also make payments or loans from the social fund where customers need additional financial support. If you need to make a claim to benefit ring , lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. You can also claim some benefits online at gov.uk. For loans and grants ring or visit Middlesbrough Council Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefits For advice and assistance in helping customers pay less rent and council tax, contact the benefit service by telephone on , by fax on or via Housing Benefit housbens@servicemiddlesbrough.org Council Tax Benefit ctax@servicemiddlesbrough.org The main benefit office is located at Middlesbrough House, PO Box 98, 50 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2YQ. Benefit advisors are also located at the following service contact points: Grove Hill Youth and Community Centre, Bishopton Road, TS4 2RP Erimus Area Office, Shelton Court, Thorntree, Middlesbrough, TS3 9PD Ermus Area Office, Berwick Hills Centre, Crossfell Road, Middlesbrough, TS3 7RL Hemlington Library, The Viewley Centre, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, TS8 9JJ 6

7 Middlesbrough Council Welfare Rights Service The Middlesbrough Welfare Rights Unit provides advice on welfare benefits and tax credits with the aim of ensuring that Middlesbrough residents receive their full entitlement. The service provides: A daily telephone advice line Daily outreach surgeries in GP Practices and Community Centres Home visiting for the housebound Tribunal Representation A specialist Asian Advice service and a specialist service at James Cook Hospital Training on Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits for a wide range of professionals and services Newsletter with regular updates Welfare Benefit Take Up Initiatives Contact Details: Middlesbrough Welfare Rights Unit, Department of Social Care, PO Box 505, Civic Centre, Middlesbrough. TS1 9FZ Tel: Fax: welfarerights@middlesbrough.gov.uk Online welfare benefit and tax credit guides/information Citizens Advice online guide - Department for Work and Pensions. Useful A-Z guide to benefits - HM Revenue and Customs tax credits pages can help you find out whether you qualify for tax credits and how to apply - Advice Services Alliance - Low Incomes Tax Reform Group - provides detailed information on tax and tax credits for people on low incomes, including pensioners, students and low income workers. 7

8 EMPLOYMENT Careers Advice Service The Careers Advice Service provides free information and advice on learning and work. A confidential helpline is available from 8am to 10 pm, seven days a week on Citizens Advice Bureau Middlesbrough Citizens Bureau offers an employment advice service. Advice Centre for personal callers: 9 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. Opening hours: am 3.00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday am 1.00 pm Wednesday Telephone Advice Line: Available: am 1.00 pm Wednesday / 1.00 pm 4.00 pm Tuesday and Friday Employment and Training Schemes for Businesses and Residents Middlesbrough Council provides employment training schemes for businesses. For more information please call or businesssupport@middlesbrough. gov.uk. Resident support is available from the Neighbourhood Employment Gateways. There are three centres based in Middlesbrough - call your nearest for advice and support: East Middlesbrough Works, Hemlington Works, Grove Hill Works, FORWARDS Employment Support Service The FORWARDS Employment Support Service ensures people with disabilities who want to work, receive appropriate support, guidance and the opportunity to access sustainable jobs for real wages. To have support from the FORWARDs team, an individual must have an interest in finding paid work, live in Middlesbrough, be aged between 16 and 65 and be known to Social Care. Telephone: or forwards@middlesbrough.gov.uk. 8

9 Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus is a government agency supporting people of working age from welfare into work and helping employers to fill their vacancies. Their purpose is to provide work for those who can and support for those who cannot. Jobcentre Plus has the largest database of job vacancies with around 5,000 vacancies across the Tees Valley every month. For free confidential support to get back to work quickly, update skills and help with job search call Jobcentre Plus on or visit Middlesbrough Network of Intermediaries The Network of Intermediaries (NOI) website is a useful tool that residents can use to search for suitable provision to meet individual needs. Next Steps For those in work who may be at risk of, or worried about, possible redundancy, free confidential face-to-face advice on changing jobs and updating skills can be obtained from Next Steps call Connexions Connexions provides a confidential advice and support service for all year olds (and up to age 25 for young people with special needs). Connexions helps young people to make informed career choices and gives impartial advice on education, employment and training. They can also help with other issues such as health, homelessness and relationships. For more information telephone: or connexionsmiddlesbrough@middlesbrough.gov.uk. 9

10 ENERGY EFFICIENCY, SAVINGS ADVICE AND OFFERS Affordable Warmth in Middlesbrough Middlesbrough has in place an Affordable Warmth Strategy that aims to reduce fuel poverty in the town. Fuel poverty is when a household has to spend more than 10% of income on keeping warm. The partners in the Strategy are committed to working with residents across the town to reduce fuel poverty through providing energy efficiency advice, helping people access measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation and increasing household incomes through maximising benefits. More detail on this can be found on the Middlesbrough Council website ( Cleveland Fire Brigade s Winter Warmth Scheme During the coldest months of the year, older people and other at risk groups are vulnerable to fire because of worries over the effects of rising fuel bills. Financial worries may lead to the use of cheaper and less safe forms of heating. In some cases they can be even at risk of hypothermia, from turning their heating off or down to unsafe levels in order to save money. In extreme cases their power might be unnecessarily cut off for failing to deal with arrears on their bills. Over the winter months Cleveland Fire Brigade work closely with the Energy Saving Trust (EST), and other partners and agencies who work with the vulnerable, to provide relief in the short to intermediate term. Community workers can be provided with easy assessment criteria, for referring clients to the Fire Brigade for a home fire safety visit, or for urgent same day assessments under our Winter Warmth Campaign. The aim is to: work with partners to identify vulnerable members of the community who may be at risk from using inadequate or dangerous forms of alternative heating and lighting work with partners to reduce or mitigate the causes of fuel poverty support and provide advice to those facing fuel poverty provide short term and more sustainable solutions to fuel poverty and related health problems associated with it For more information please telephone: Text phone: Website: 10

11 Energy Saving Trust Provides free advice and information for people across the United Kingdom looking to save energy, conserve water and reduce waste. This includes information on: Grants and offers for home improvements Energy saving products and tips to stop wasting energy and reduce your bills Heating and hot water Cavity wall insulation Loft insulation Generating your own energy For free, independent and local energy saving advice telephone or access the website: Home Heat Helpline Residents who are worried about paying their heating bills during the winter can call the Home Heat Helpline on They can provide help and advice about paying fuel bills. Middlesbrough Environment City (MEC) MEC is an independent charity that promotes healthy and sustainable lifestyles. The Middlesbrough Warmer Homes project, run by MEC, can provide advice and assistance on how to save energy in the home and can also provide support to residents to access cavity wall and loft insulation, working with partners including TADEA and Go Warm. For people on certain benefits these may be available free of charge through the government s Warmfront programme. MEC also occasionally has free offers of energy saving equipment including TV and computer powerdowns. Contact Middlesbrough Environment City on for more information or by dennisreeves.mec@classmail.co.uk. Visit: 11

12 HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPORT Individuals facing significant financial pressures can find their health and wellbeing negatively affected through the stress caused by financial uncertainty. The effects on mental health may need support, including possible increases in substance misuse such as alcohol or drugs. Those experiencing these kinds of issues can gain support from: MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT Mental health problems are very common. Approximately one in four people in Britain will experience some form of mental health problem during their life. If financial problems affect an individual s mental health or wellbeing then they should seek support from their doctor. Alternatively, they can contact: Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind Middlesbrough Mind can offer someone to talk to and help people cope with difficulties such as anxiety and depression. As the leading independent mental health organisation in the town, Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind can provide free, confidential services for people seeking mental health advice and support. Call or support@ middlesbroughmind.org.uk. Tees Time to Talk Tees Time to Talk is a new service designed to help anyone, aged 16 or over, deal with common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety or depression, as well as panic, phobia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. For more information telephone or access ALCOHOL / DRUGS SUPPORT Information on some substance misuse support services in Middlesbrough are provided below. A more comprehensive list of substance misuse services can be downloaded from the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership section of the Middlesbrough Partnership website ( 12

13 The Albert Centre The Albert Centre offers alcohol counselling, drug counselling, carers counselling, assertive outreach, user led support groups and structured group work. Telephone Hope North East Hope North East is a peer led service and incorporates 1-1 support, abstinence based group work, activities, laundry service, breakfast club, clothing bank and is the hub of the Boro Drugs Forum. Telephone Lifeline Project The Lifeline Project provides: A Tier 2 open access needle exchange Harm reduction and advice and information Specialist stimulant service (holistic/ complementary therapies) Pilot steroid project Health and medical interventions Contact details: PO BOX 99, Town Hall, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QQ or telephone: Platform Platform is a Young Persons Substance Misuse service delivered by Developing Initiatives, Supporting Communities (DISC). The service includes support staff and a nurse offering brief interventions, psycho-education, 1-1 support, family support, complementary therapies and activities. Telephone:

14 HOUSING Cleveland Housing Advice Centre Help with all personal debt problems, including mortgage and rent arrears, bailiffs and county court action. Help with all welfare benefit problems. Contact: 16 Borough Road, Middlesbrough or phone Endeavour Housing Association Endeavour Housing Association is a Registered Social Landlord that provides affordable accommodation in North Yorkshire, Tees Valley and South Tyneside. Endeavour: signposts and encourages residents to affordable credit such as Credit Unions promotes affordable contents insurance has a formal referrals process in place for tenants/residents affected by debt provides furnished tenancies ensures staff are trained in financial inclusion/debt awareness have introduced an Enterprise Fund to support our tenants back into employment/ education encourages tenants to use basic bank accounts In addition to this, Endeavour is in the process of introducing a new service to tenants for them to receive a full welfare benefit check to ensure their income and benefits are maximised. Contact Details: Endeavour Housing Association, St Marks Court, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees, TS17 6QN Telephone: (01642) Website: Fabrick Housing Group Partners Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing, which are part of Fabrick Housing Group, offer homes for rent and affordable sale across Middlesbrough and further afield. They can help people rent a home appropriate to their needs or take the first step onto the housing ladder and Erimus Housing also offers housing advice and support for 14

15 people looking for a home and for people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. Erimus and Tees Valley develop new properties and regenerate communities and operate a range of schemes and services including sheltered and supported housing for more vulnerable residents, financial advice and home contents insurance and ensure they involve residents in shaping services to meet their needs. Contact , which is free from a landline. Time2Buy Time2Buy is the Government s HomeBuy Agent for the Tees Valley and County Durham and offers affordable home ownership options on brand new homes to enable people to get a foot on the property ladder or buy a home appropriate for their needs. Time2Buy is a consortium formed by Fabrick Housing Group, Stockton Council, Housing Hartlepool and Endeavour Housing Association and is a first point of contact for anyone who cannot afford to buy a home on the open market. Visit the Time2Buy website at for more information or telephone:

16 Shelter Shelter can give free legal advice and support to families with any housing or homelessness issues such as mortgage repossession, rent arrears, domestic violence, re-housing and eviction. The only qualifying criteria is that the family live within the Tees Valley and have at least one child aged under six or have a family member who is pregnant. Referrals can be made via or telephone. Call Website: The Staying Put Agency The Staying Put Agency helps older and disabled people to remain in their homes. It can advise on repairs, improvements or adaptations and the availability of financial assistance, benefit entitlement, energy efficiency, home security and the support available to aid independent living. Telephoned: or stayingputagency@middlesbrough.gov.uk. SAVINGS AND LOW INTEREST LOANS Credit Unions Credit Unions provide savings and loan products for their members. Membership depends on having a common bond. These could be, for example: Living or working in a specific area Belonging to the same housing association Belonging to the same trade union Credit Unions aim to help members take control of their money by encouraging a savings habit. Once you have a reliable record as a saver, a member can apply to borrow money from their Credit Union at a very low rate of interest. All the Credit Unions in Middlesbrough have a live / work common bond. To find your local Credit Unions, log on to and use the postcode search box on the homepage. Every Credit Union in Middlesbrough has a website link on uk to make it easy to find contact details, collection point locations and other relevant information online. For more general information on Credit Unions in Middlesbrough call Elaine Gilmour on or Elaine-gilmour@cvl.org.uk. 16

17 Credit Union Collection/Contact Points: 5Cs CREDIT UNION LTD The Resource Centre, Bishopton Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough TS4 2RP Tel: Opening Times: Monday am am and Tuesday 9.15 am am HEMLINGTON CREDIT UNION LTD Flat 4, The Viewley Centre, Hemlington, Middlesbrough TS8 9JH Tel: Opening Times: Tuesday and Thursdays, 9.45 am am at Hemlington Library Wednesdays, pm 2.00 pm at Langdon Square Community Centre Saturdays, am am at Hemlington Library PALLISTER CREDIT UNION LTD Charlbury Rd Community Centre, Pallister Park, Middlesbrough TS3 8NH Tel: Opening Times: Tuesday am am at North Ormesby Library Thursday pm 2.15 pm at Charlbury Road Community Centre Friday 1.30 pm 2.45 pm at Berwick Hills Library TBN (Thorntee, Brambles Farm, Netherfields) CREDIT UNION Flat 2 Shelton Court, The Greenway, Thorntree, Middlesbrough TS3 9PD Tel: Opening Times: Monday am 1.00 pm at Shelton Court, Thorntree Wednesday am am at Netherfields Community Centre Thursday am 1.00 pm at Shelton Court, Thorntree Friday am 1.00 pm at Shelton Court, Thorntree PIONEER CREDIT UNION LTD (Open to all residents of Middlesbrough) The Meeting House, 11 Elder Court, Middlesbrough TS1 2SJ Tel: Opening Times: Tuesday 9.15 am am at Whinney Banks Children s Centre, Stainsby Road Tuesday 9.30 am am at Acklam Library Tuesday 12 noon 1.30 pm at Elder Court Meeting House Wednesday am 12 noon at Park End Community Centre Wednesday 1.15 pm 2.15 pm at Easterside Community Centre Wednesday 4.45 pm 5.45 pm at Middlesbrough Community Church, Clifton Street Thursday 9.00 am am at ACE Centre, Parliament Road Thursday am pm at Saltersgill Community Centre Thursday 4.00 pm 6.00 pm at Elder Court Meeting House 17

18 SOUTH CENTRAL MIDDLESBROUGH CREDIT UNION LTD Linthorpe United Reform Church, Clive Road, Middlesbrough TS5 2AG Opening Times: Tuesday pm 1.15 pm at United Reform Church Tuesday 5.15 pm 6.15 pm at United Reform Church Five Lamps Organisation The Five Lamps Organisation issues personal loans to low income individuals who are unable to access mainstream financial services and are consequently reliant on unaffordable credit and predatory lenders. They target the most disadvantaged communities with discreet advertising and processes via freephone contact, credit checking, a comprehensive financial review, a face-to-face meeting and approval within 7 days. Alongside the loan product, they also provide debt advice and support including referrals in-house to their existing programmes or externally as appropriate. Contact Details: Five Lamps Organisation, Eldon Street, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 7DJ Telephone: (01642) Website: 18

19 SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES Business Debtline The Business Debtline is designed to help any business that has cashflow or debt problems. Business Debtline provides practical advice that is designed to help you successfully manage your way through your financial difficulties. Telephone or access the website via: Business Link Business Link offers advice on understanding what help and support is available including free business health checks, online business support and access to appropriate finance. Call or visit Employment Training Schemes for Businesses Middlesbrough Council provides employment training schemes for businesses. For more information please call or Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus provides a service to employers who are looking to fill their vacancies. Advertising vacancies with Jobcentre Plus can save time, money and provide access to detailed knowledge of local business. To advertise vacancies with Jobcentre Plus call or visit 19

20 Tel: Web: _Mbro_Partnership_Money_Advice_A5_08/10