Organisations offering advice on money, benefits and other issues:

Citizens Advice Bureau

Free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on debt, benefits, housing, employment, immigration and consumer issues.  Face-to-face advice at drop-in sessions, along with telephone and email advice.  The Bureau can also help set up Debt Relief Orders.

Leighton Linslade Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 01525 373878
Opening times: Mon-Fri 10.00am to 1.00pm; Mon 4.00pm to 6.30pm

Ampthill and Biggleswade Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 01525 402742 or 01767 601368
Opening times: Mon-Thu 9.30am to 2.30pm

Dunstable Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 01582 661384
Opening times: Mon, Wed and Thu 10.00am – 12:30pm; Mon-Wed 1.00pm – 3.30pm.

Citizens Advice online - Advice Guide

Citizens Advice website with general information on people’s rights and responsibilities - including debt, benefits, housing and employment, consumer and legal issues.  Factsheets on various consumer and debt issues.

Advice guide - Benefits

StepChange Debt Charity (formerly Consumer Credit Counselling Service)

The UK's leading debt advice organisation, offering free help to beat debt. They provide expert budgeting help, debt advice and solutions, plus online debt, benefits and budgeting tools.

StepChange Debt Remedy - online debt advice tool

National Debtline

Freephone helpline: 0808 808 4000
Mon-Fri 9.00am to 9.00pm; Sat 9.30am to 1.00pm
24-hour voicemail to request an information pack

Free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. Provides self-help packs and factsheets. Can also help set up debt management plans and Debt Relief Orders.

Accepts telephone, email and written enquiries.

Payplan

Freephone helpline: 0800 280 2816
Mon-Fri 8.00am to 9.00pm; Sat 9.00am to 3.00pm

Free, independent debt management service funded by the credit industry.  Arranges debt management plans and organises Individual Voluntary Arrangements.  Negotiates repayment plans direct with creditors.

Money Advice Service

Money Advice Line: 0300 500 5000
Mon-Fri 8.00am to 6.00pm

Advice on all money matters including dealing with debt, benefits and pensions, financial products and guide to money for different stages in life.  Website has a range of factsheets on financial matters, and an online “Personal Money Health Check” tool designed to help people manage their money.

Advice in person, by phone or email.

GOV.UK - Benefits

Government website with information and links about money matters, including benefits, tax credits and debt, and links to other organisations websites for help with debts.

Age UK (formerly Age Concern and Help the Aged)

Freephone helpline: 0800 169 6565

Free, impartial advice for older people on anything from debt and benefits, health and housing, to tax and pensions.

Bedfordshire Advice Directory

You can use this Directory to find out where in Bedfordshire you can get advice and information on a wide range of issues and services.

Shelter - The housing and homeless charity

Advice about finding, paying for and keeping a place to live. Housing problems often start because of financial difficulties. If you are struggling with unmanageable debt, rent or mortgage arrears, you need to take action as soon as possible.

Shelter - Housing benefit and local housing allowance