Free debt and money advice
South Tyneside Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau are now offering guidance on a number of money issues, including:
- Budgeting
- Savings and investment
- Borrowing and mortgages
- Pension and retirement
- Insurance
- Tax
- Benefits and tax credits
The service is free and confidential with a guarantee of no sales pitches, no jargon. Just the facts.
For an appointment with the Money Guidance Officer, please call 0191 455 7958.
You can contact Citizens Advice Bureau on 0844 49 94 715 or drop in for an appointment on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10am and 1pm.
Visit South Tyneside Citizens Advice Bureau
Welfare rights
South Tyneside Welfare Rights Service can offer advice and support regarding entitlement to benefits, employment rights, debt and money problems.
See welfare rights
Neighbourhood Advice Centres
Boldon Lane Neighbourhood Advice Centre
89-91 Boldon Lane
South Shields
NE34 0AS
Please call to make an appointment: 0191 454 3924
Hebburn Neighbourhood Advice Centre
10 Victoria Road West
Hebburn
NE31 1LD
You can call the advice line Mondays to Thursdays between 2pm to 4pm on 0191 483 9806.
Benefits and council tax advice
Housing benefit
If you're on a low income, housing benefit can help you pay your rent. You will not be entitled to housing benefit if you live with a member of your family and pay rent to that person.
See housing benefit
Council tax
If you are having problems paying your council tax, you should speak to someone as soon as possible or you could incur further charges on your account.
The Council Tax office can be contacted on 0191 424 4330
See council tax
Council tax benefit
Council tax benefit helps people on low incomes pay their council tax.
You can claim council tax benefit if you are aged 18 or over and you have to pay council tax on your home.
Rent arrears (South Tyneside Homes)
Rent is one of your priority bills and must be paid in order for you to keep your home.
If you're having problems paying your rent, a income officer can help you set up a mutual arrangement to pay your rent. If you have defaulted on a County Court Order, they may still be able to help you.
Income officers can be called on 0191 423 4000. Or, you can see an officer without an appointment at one of the Area Housing Office 'drop ins'.
For more information, visit www.southtynesidehomes.org.uk/rent
Benefit entitlements
Checking your benefit entitlements and helping to complete forms are just some of the ways Action Station can lend you a helping hand.
To make an appointment, or to arrange a visit to your home, please call Action Station on 0191 455 8122 or call into the Centre and ask at reception.
West Harton Churches Action Station
85-91 Boldon Lane
South Shields
NE34 0AS
Visit http://www.actionstation.org.uk/
Please note that this is not a drop-in centre and advisors can be seen by appointment only.
Age Concern
If you are aged over 50 you can call into Age Concern for information and signposting regarding money issues.
19 Beach Road
South Shields
NE33 2QA
Phone: 0191 456 6903
Visit Age Concern
Moneymadeclear
Moneymadeclear is a new, impartial service that can help you with everything from budgeting to borrowing, savings to mortgages.
You can call the helpline on 0300 500 5000 and talk to a money guide over the phone. They can arrange a face to face appointment for you in your area.
There are also online guides and interactive tools on the website www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk and free copies of these can be sent out to you.
Home Heat Helpline
If you're worried about paying your heating bills or need some easy to understand advice on how to save energy then the Home Heat Helpline is here to lend a hand.
You can call the helpline on 0800 33 66 99 or visit the website for more information: www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
National Debtline
This helpline provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems and can be contacted on 0808 808 4000 or at www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
NHS Stressline
If you're feeling stressed because of job insecurity, redundancy, debt or financial problems, don't wait for things to get really bad before seeking help.
Call the NHS Credit Crunch Stressline on 0300 123 2000 or visit their credit crunch help webpage.
A health advisor will listen, guide you to useful resources and put you in touch with organisations that can help.
