Links and helplines

If you require further information you may find the following internet links useful.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

The CCCS is a registered charity which aims to assist people who are in financial difficulty by providing free, independent, impartial and realistic advice.

The CCCS freephone helpline is open from 0800 GMT to 2000 GMT Monday to Friday.

Tel: 0800 138 1111

National Debtline is a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Scotland and Wales. The service is free, confidential and independent.

Helpline: 0808 808 4000

Credit Action is a national money education charity.

Telephone: 0207 436 9937 E-mail: office@creditaction.org.uk

Citizens Advice provides free, confidential, and independent advice from over 3,200 locations.

Advice is available face-to-face, by telephone, and sometimes by e-mail. Most bureaux offer home visits.

Debt and You is a free online advice service run by Gregory Pennington Debt Management, a financial management company that specialises in consumer debt management.

Telephone: 0800 9705479 E-mail: info@debtandyou.co.uk

Business Debtline is a helpline that provides free, confidential and independent advice to small businesses about how to deal with debt problems.

Telephone: 0800 1976026

Credit history/reference agencies

Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) and bankuptcy

Mortgage arrears and repossessions

Other useful links

Help with housing costs

Illness and disability

General enquiries about Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance: 0845 7 12 34 56

Disability Law Service National Adviceline 020 7791 9800
Minicom: 020 7791 9801

Looking for work

Job Centre Plus: Benefit claims 0800 055 6688

Job Centre Plus: Looking for work 0845 6000 644

Managing on a low income/on benefits

Tax Credits

HMRC Tax Credits helpline: 0845 300 3900

Parents and children

Child Benefit Enquiry Line: 0845 302 1444

Pensioners and older people

DWP: Pension Credit Application Line 0800 99 1234.

DWP: Pensions Direct 0845 301 3011

DWP: State Pension Forecast 0845 300 0168

DWP: Winter Fuel Payment Helpline: 0845 9 15 15 15

The Pensions Advisory Service - helpline 0845 601 2923

Age Concern - information line: 0800 00 99 66

Help the Aged - Seniorline: 0808 800 6565

Carers

DWP: General enquiries about Carer's Allowance 01253 85 61 23

Widows and widowers

Self assessment

HM Revenue & Customs has a self assessment helpline which is open every day including bank holidays, but not including 25 & 26 December and 1 January, from 0800 GMT to 2000 GMT: 0845 900 0444, or from outside the UK +44 161 931 9070.

Shares and investments

FSA Consumer Contact Centre
(call rates may vary)

8am and 6pm Monday to Friday:
Main number - 0845 606 1234
Minicom/textphone - 0845 730 0104
From overseas - 020 7066 1000 (main switchboard)

Finding financial advice

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

FSCS Consumer Helpline: 020 7892 7300

FSA Consumer Helpline: From UK: 0845 606 1234

General information

Industry bodies

Mortgage comparison sites

Mortgage brokers

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