Agency Finder: Money Matters, Debt, Benefits & Savings

Money Matters, Debt, Benefits & Savings

Agency Name (with link to website E-mail Address Contact Phone Number if available) Age UK [email protected] 0845 601 3446 Hertfordshire

← Independent Living ← Information & Advice

Age Range: 50+ Cost: mostly FREE, some services incur a charge Benefits Advice(from Herts n/a n/a County Council) Information available includes the following (see website for details):

← A to Z of Benefits ← Benefit Rates ← Guide to Benefits ← Factsheets and Leaflets ← Coping with Debt ← Who to ask for help ← Welfare Reform

Age Range: n/a Cost: n/a Citizens Advice 01923 267949 (Abbots) Bureaux (with new 0208 4210911 (Oxhey & monthly service [email protected] District) from Maple Cross 01923 720424 Club) (Rickmansworth) Free, independent, impartial and confidential advice and information on:

← Benefits - entitlement to benefits, helping with claims and appeals, housing and council tax benefits ← Consumer Rights and issues - negotiating with shops and businesses, compensation and refunds ← Debt and money advice - dealing with debts and creditors, budgeting, calculating affordable payments ← Housing - landlord and tenant problems, moving house, neighbour disputes, rent and mortgage arrears, evictions and repossessions ← Legal issues - help with magistrates' and county court summons, claiming through the courts, immigration and nationality issues ← Employment - problems at work, redundancy and dismissal

Age: 16+ Cost: FREE Step Change 0800 1381111

← Offers free, confidential advice and support if you’re worried about debt

Age: n/a Cost: FREE Directgov: Budgeting and n/a n/a finances

← Tips on managing money, saving on bills and support available

Age: n/a Cost: FREE Directgov: Debt and borrowing n/a n/a money

← Debt and borrowing money. Information about loans and buying on credit, and how to get out of debt

Age: n/a Cost: FREE Energy Saving n/a 0800 512012 Trust

← Free impartial energy saving advice including energy saving tips

Age: n/a Cost: FREE HertsSavers [email protected] 01707 269239 Credit Union HertSavers exists to help people who live and work within Hertfordshire to manage their finances by:

← Providing a safe and accessible place to save money ← Promoting the wise use of credit at a reasonable rate of interest ← Assisting them to understand their personal budget and net worth

Age: 8+ Cost: see website for further details Home Heat n/a 0800 336699 Helpline

← Advice on special payment options if you’re struggling with fuel bill

Age: n/a Cost: FREE National Debtline 0808 8084000

← Helpline offering free, impartial and confidential advice on managing debts

Age: n/a Cost: FREE 0300 5552222 (confidential Report a Loan [email protected]. helpline) or Text loanshark Shark uk and your message to 60003

← Lending without a license is illegal

Age: n/a Cost: n/a Thrive Homes Financial [email protected] 01923 693841 Inclusion Officer

← Helping budgeting – incoming and outgoings ← Prioritising your debts to try and avoid unnecessary penalties ← Helping maximise income by claiming correct benefits and tax advantages or other sources of income ← Negotiating with creditors on your behalf to agree affordable repayment plans ← Advising the best strategy to deal with multiple or other complex debt problems

Age: 16+ Cost: FREE Pre Tenancy Support Officer [email protected] 01923 693819 Hosted by Thrive Homes

← Providing Pre Tenancy Support to homeless families across Watford & Three Rivers District Council ← Support in accessing services and benefit maximisation ← Pre Tenancy workshops that provide guidance on rights and responsibilities for tenants in their new tenancies

Age: 16+ Cost: FREE uswitch n/a 0800 4047908

← Gas and electricity price comparison service

Age: n/a Cost: FREE Watford Credit Union(with new [email protected] 01923 236401 collection point in South Oxhey)

← Help and encourage people to save and manage money. We do not offer "financial advice" ← Make low cost loans available to members - loan rate is only 1% / month interest on decreasing balance ← Assist those excluded from conventional finance because there are many people who cannot comply with the large financial institutions credit rules, often through no fault of their own

Age: 16+ Cost: see website for further details Watford MENCAP [email protected] 01923 713620 Provide a range of services for people with a learning disability & their families and carers. These include:

← Personal Budgets, Supported Housing, Advocacy, Supported Living, One to One Support ← Organisations can refer or contact us for advice and guidance.

Age: any age (parental / carer consent will be required) Cost: FREE