In need of
financial advice?
How to get
Are you in debt or having difficulty making monthly bill payments?
Did you know help and advice is available? Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to?
This leaflet may help you get back on track with your finances.
In debt or having trouble with
your rent payment?
You should contact your Housing Manager as soon as possible. They will be able to help and refer you to our Debt Counselling Service, Welfare Rights or other local advice agency such as Citizen's Advice Bureau. They will be able to advise how to deal with debt and benefits and how you can maximise your income.
Are you claiming all
your benefits?
Every year millions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed. You may well find you are entitled to benefits of one kind or another, whether Child Benefit or Incapacity Benefit, but whether you qualify for them of course is down to your circumstances at any given time.
Everyone should do an annual check to discover what they are entitled to. One thing always to
remember about benefits is that the sooner you claim the better. Not all benefits can be backdated so if you don't move quickly you could be out of pocket.
Housing Benefit or Council Tax
Benefit
Housing Benefit provides help with paying rent and Council Tax Benefit provides help with your council tax if you are on a low income.
Contact Hackney Benefits Service for more information.
Benefits Services Keltan House
89 -115 Mare Street E8 4RU Tel: 0208 356 3399
Email: benefits.callcentre@hackney.gov.uk
Child Tax Credits
If you're responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit.
Tax Credits Helpline: 0845 300 3900
Working Tax Credits
If you work, but earn low wages, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit. Nine out of ten families with children get
tax credits, but you don't need to have children to qualify. You may also qualify if you are working and on low pay.
Tax Credits Helpline: 0845 300 3900
Pension credit
If you're aged 60 or over you may be entitled to Pension Credit - extra money each week. You could be entitled even if receive a state pension or personal pension. To apply for Pension Credits call 0800 99 1234.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Disability Living Allowance is a tax free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled. It is awarded regardless of your financial circumstances. Disability Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 88 22 00.
Attendance allowance
This is for those aged 65 or over who need help with personal care because they are physically or mentally disabled. It is awarded regardless of your financial circumstances. Disability Benefit Enquiry
Help and Advice
Hackney Homes in partnership with Hackney Law Centre provides a debt advice service for tenants in rent arrears. You can ask your Housing Manager to refer you for our confidential and free debt and money advice service if you have debt problems. You can be referred to other agencies, if specialist advice is needed.
Free debt advice organisations
in Hackney
Citizens Advice
236-238 Mare Street 491-493 Kingsland Road
Hackney Dalston
London E8 1HE London E8 4AU
Tel: 0870 126 4013 Tel: 0870 1264013
Hackney Community Law Centre
8 Lower Clapton Road London E5 0PD
Telephone: 020 8985 8364 Email: info@hclc.org.uk
Age Concern
22 Dalston Lane, London E8 3AZ Information line 0800 917 9830 Tel: 020 7249 7149
Email: info@ageconcernhackney.org.uk
Hackney Credit Union
Hackney Credit Union is a financial organisation that provides straightforward, affordable financial services to anyone living, working or studying in Hackney. 225 Mare Street, London E8 3QE
Tel; 020 8986 6868
You should be aware that there are companies that charge a fee for managing your debts. You might see an advert offering debt advice without realising that these organisations do not offer a free service. Before asking one of these companies to act on your behalf always check to find out of if there are any fees that may be charged and how much they will be.
Some National Debt Advice
Services
National Debtline
• a free telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Scotland and Wales. Tel: 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)
• a free confidential service to help provide advice on personal budgeting, advice on the wise use of credit and, where appropriate, managing achievable plans to repay debts. Tel: 0800 138 1111
www.cccs.co.uk
Advice UK
• a network of free, independent advice centres across the UK. Tel: 020 7407 4070
www.adviceuk.org.uk
Need information about a legal problem?
CLS Direct can help. Tel; 0845 345 4 345 www.clsdirect.org.uk
Some Community organisations
in Hackney
Hackney Chinese Community Services
28 - 32 Ellingfort Road London E8 3PA Tel: 020 8986 6171
Halkevi - Turkish and Kurdish Community Centre
92-100 Stoke Newington Road London N16 7XB Tel: 020 7249 6980
Agudas Israel Community Services
97 Stamford Hill, London N16 5DN Tel: 020 8800 6688
Hackney African Development Agency
22 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL Tel: 020 7249 3420
An Viet Foundation
12-14 Englefield Road, London N1 4LS Tel: 020 7275 7780
London Irish Womens Centre
59 Stoke Newington Church Street London N16 0AR Tel: 020 7249 7318
North London Muslim Community Centre
66-68 Cazenove Road, London N16 6AA Tel: 020 8806 1147
Asian Women's Advisory Service
Unit 5 Mare Street Studios, 203 - 213 Mare Street London E8 3QE
Tel: 020 8533 5796
Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation
39 Leswin Road, London N16 7NX Tel: 020 7923 3536
