Newark & Sherwood District Council

More and more people are encountering problems with their finances due to the current economic climate. We want to do all we can to help.

Problems paying council bills

If you are having problems paying council bills

• Don't panic
• Don't ignore it and hope it will go away - it won't.  
• Please call us as soon as possible and tell us about your situation. We can then try and help you.  

We can signpost you to local and national agencies that provide free, impartial advice. We’ve included details of other agencies and organisations that can provide help and support.

We can provide information on how you can claim the benefits you may be eligible for - so that you can get the financial support that you’re entitled to. Find out more about housing and council tax benefits.

Coping during the recession

We can offer general advice on coping during the recession including information on housing, working and family and relationship issues.

Local and national financial help lines and websites

Nottinghamshire County Council for welfare rights advice and legal advice 

Citizens Advice

The Citizens Advice service can help you resolve legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice

National website http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Local Offices at:

Sherwood and Newark Citizens Advice Bureau
5 Forest Court
Ollerton
Newark
Notts
NG22 9PL

Tel: 0844 856 3411

Sherwood and Newark CAB will be opening a new office in Newark soon.

Mansfield Citizens Advice Bureau
22 -24 Brunts Business Centre
Samuel Brunts Way
MANSFIELD
Nottinghamshire
NG18 2AH

Tel:  0844 856 3411

North Notts Helpline (CAB Telephone Advice) 0300 456 8369 

Directgov

Offers benefits and financial support advice.

Visit their website Directgov financial advice

National Debt Line

This is a helpline that provides free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.  Visit their website www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/

Call 0808 808 4000

Consumer Credit Counselling Service

Offer free, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt.  Visit the Consumer Credit Counselling service website.

Call 0800 345 4345.

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice charity offering free, impartial support and advice to anyone worried about debt. Visit the Debt Advice Foundation website. Call 0800 043 4050.

TheSite

Give general advice for young people, including a useful section on home, law and money.  Visit the website.

Turn2us

Provide free and confidential information and advice on benefits, grants, managing money and redundancy.  Also includes an online benefits calculator to work out what you could claim.  For more details visit the turn2us website or telephone 0808 802 2000 Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm.  

Nottinghamshire County Council has set up the Nottinghamshire Welfare Assistance Fund (NWAF) to provide emergency financial support to people who cannot get help from anywhere else.

Situations the fund can help with include:

• everyday living expenses after an emergency such as flooding or fire
• help to remain living in the community or help to establish yourself in the community
• leaving where you are living due to domestic violence
• caring for a prisoner or young offender on a temporary licence
• help with essential travel expenses in specific situations such as attending a close relative's funeral

The fund does not cover:

• lost, spent or stolen benefits
• housing costs or rent arrears
• costs normally covered by welfare benefits
• paying off debts and loans
• covering costs associated with care and provision
• shortfalls in Council Tax Support awards or reductions in Housing benefit

To apply you must be:

• over 16 years old
• living in Nottinghamhire for 12 months before applying or be leaving where you are due to domestic violence or leaving an institution and have a local connection to Nottinghamshire
• in reciept of a benefit that will form part of the Universal Credit or Guaranteed Pension Creddit. This includes Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Related Employment Support Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits. These benefit conditions do not apply to people claiming due to domestic violence (see above)
• able to access less than £100 in savings or a bank account

For more information about NWAF and how to apply visit Nottinghamshire County Council website

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