Useful numbers and links
Welcome to Useful Numbers and Links including Help and Advice, Services and Money, we hope you find the telephone numbers and websites useful.
If you have a telephone number or website address you think other customers would like to see, please feel free to email us your contributions.
Help and Advice
Citizens Advice Bureau (opens new window) The CAB can offer free and confidential advice on a wide range of issues such as debt and consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment and immigration as well as specialist advice on other matters.
Visit your local CAB website (the following links open a new window):Lichfield, Burntwood & District, Stafford, Cannock, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Tamworth, North Warwickshire.
Housing Ombudsman Service (opens new window)
Housing Ombudsman Service, 81 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4HN.
Telephone: 020 7421 3800
Email: info@housing-ombudsman.org.uk
Homes and Communities Agency (open new window)
All housing associations are regulated by the Homes and Communities Agency, a government body that is also responsible for funding.
Tenants Services Authority (opens new window) - The regulator for affordable housing whose goal is to raise the standard of services for tenants.
Telephone: 0845 230 7000
Shelter (opens new window) For free advice and help on any housing related matter, such as homelessness, problems with your landlord, eviction and much more, then contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444.
Samaritans (opens new window) 08457 90 90 90
24 hour helpline
Advice UK (opens new window) 0207 407 4070
(Independent Advice Agency)
Services
Help The Aged (opens new window) Specifically for older people to get assistance with claiming benefits or entitlements, such as Pension Credit, Council Tax benefit, Housing Benefit and paying for residential care. Contact the free telephone advice service on 0808 800 6565. Alternatively, The Department for Work and Pensions above may be able to assist you.
Age Concern (opens new window) Providign direct help to over a million older people each year. Services include; information‚ advice and advocacy services day centres and lunch clubs home help and 'handyperson' schemes IT and other training.
Freephone Information Line: 0800 00 99 66
NHS (opens new window) and NHS Direct (opens new window) - or dial 0845 4647 whenever you need health advice and information.
Gas Escapes - 0800 111 999
Call this number to report gas leaks.
Gas Care Register - 0845 955 5404
British Gas provides a gas care register for older, disabled or chronically ill customers.
Money
Energy Efficiency Line - 0845 9650 650
For more information on energy efficiency.
Child Support Agency (opens new window) 0845 713 3133
Benefit Enquiry Line (opens new window) 0800 88 22 00
(For people with disabilities, their representatives and carers)
Disability Living Allowance Helpline (opens new window) 0845 7123 456
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (opens new window) 0800 138 1111
FCL Debt Clinic (opens new window) 0800 716 239
(Free practical debt advice throughout the UK)
Housing Repossessions (opens new window)
Avoiding eviction from your home
Pay Bills Online (opens new window)
You can use this service to pay your rent and any other bills where the supplier is registered with Allpayments.net.
Savings on House Bill (opens new window)
Compare prices of suppliers and switch online to get your best deal. uSwitch costs nothing and saves you money.
National Debt Line (opens new window) For free independent and confidential debt advice you can call them on free phone 0800 808 4000. The National Debt Advice Line can advise you on prioritisation of your debts, teach you how to budget your finances and can show you how to format a letter to creditors.
Credit Action (opens new window) You can speak to Credit Action on their free helpline 0800 138 1111. Credit Action works in partnership with the Consumer Credit Counselling service and can offer you immediate help on all debt related issues.
Inland Revenue (opens new window) You may not be claiming a tax benefit that you are entitled to. (9 out of 10 families with children are entitled to tax credits), or you may simply need help in claiming a tax credit. For this you can contact the Inland Revenue on 0845 609 5000.
The Department for Work and Pension (opens new window) You can obtain information regarding your entitlement to Child Benefit by calling 0845 3021 444.