If you are concerned about managing your money or you have debts, try not to worry, but do not ignore your problem – it won’t go away. If you're having trouble council bills, please contact the relevant department straight away - we may be able to help.

Council Tax

If you're having trouble paying your Council Tax contact Revenue Services. We can arrange a repayment schedule and you may be eligible for a reduction in your Council Tax.

Rents

If you're having trouble paying your council rent contact Housing Services. We can arrange a repayment schedule and you may be eligible to receive Housing Benefit.

There are many organisations that can give you advice about debt and money problems. They are listed below:

British Bankers’ Association (BBA) 

• The BBA produce some useful leaflets on proving your identity and a range of banking services.
• Telephone: 020 7126 8800. 

Financial Services Authority (FSA)

• The FSA provide an online financial health check service.  This can help you work out your financial priorities and make decisions about your money.
• The FSA also have an online budget calculator to help you to think about your spending and to work out whether you have enough money coming in to cover your outgoings.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)

• The CCCS provides free debt advice over the phone. Everything is free and confidential, from budgeting advice to practical Debt Management Plans. This service is available to everyone in the UK
• Email Consumer Credit Counselling Service
• Telephone: 0800 1381111
• Consumer Credit Counselling Service, Wade House, Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8NG

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

• CAB offer advice on debt problems and a very wide range of other money and non-money topics. For details on your local Citizens Advice Bureau, see our Citizens Advice webpage.

National Debtline

• This is a telephone-based service and is a national helpline for people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. They will discuss debt problems with you and explain the options available to you.
• Telephone: 0808 808 4000
• National Debtline, Tricorn House, 51-53 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8TP

Payplan

• Payplan provide free debt advice and management.
• Email Payplan
• Telephone: 0800 917 7823
• Payplan Ltd, Kempton House, Dysart Road, Grantham, NG31 7LE

The UK Insolvency Helpline

• This is a not-for-profit debt advisory service for debt advice and debt management.
• Email The UK Insolvency Helpline
• Telephone: 0800 0746918

Age Concern

• Age Concern provides information on income and benefits for older people.
• Email Age Concern 
• Telephone: 0800 00 99 66
• Age Concern England, Astral House, 1268 London Road, London, SW16 4ER

Credit Action

• Credit Action provides information and guidance for people with debt or money worries.
• Email Credit Action 
• Telephone: 0207 436 9937
• Credit Action, Howard House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Advice UK

• Advice UK is a registered charity and is the UK's largest support network for free, independent advice centres.
• Email Advice UK 
• Telephone: 0207 407 4070
• Head Office, 12th Floor, New London Bridge House, 25 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG

Talkaboutdebt

• Free online community and expert debt help
• Talkaboutdebt website

If you are struggling to live on the money you have or are experiencing problems with debt, you may want to think about whether you are getting all the benefits or tax credits that you are entitled to.

For more information and advice you can visit the central government money advice section on the DirectGov website. This also has a wide range of public service information and links to other organisations which you may find useful if you are looking for help or advice.

Opening a bank/building society account

You can get help and advice about opening a bank account from the Financial Services Authority.

You can get advice about opening and running a bank account from any bank or building society. And there are many organisations that can give you advice about money, including if you have already tried to open an account and have not been able to. Please see below details of some useful contacts.