ved tomer ro C us How to get Debt Advice App Controlling your finances can sometimes be a challenge. If you cannot pay your rent or mortgage payments You MUST NOT ignore it THE PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY The most important thing to do if you find yourself in debt is to contact the people that you owe money to. Rent Arrears If you fall behind with your rent or have arrears please contact us. Severn Vale Housing Rent Arrears Team: 01684 272727 Where to Find Free Independent Advice and Guidance: Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities Cheltenham, Cirencester and Tewkesbury Citizens Advice Bureau 6 St James Square, Cheltenham, GL50 3PR Tel: 01242 522491 Sessions at Tewkesbury Borough Council Offices on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10.00am - 12.00 noon Gloucester Citizens Advice Bureau 75-81 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1PN Tel: 01452 527202 Forest of Dean Citizens Advice Bureau Belle Vue Centre, Belle Vue Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AB Tel: 01594 823937 Stroud and District Citizens Advice Bureau Unit 8,1st Floor, Brunel Mall, London Road, Stroud, GL5 2BP Tel: 01453 762084 More information can be found at www.adviceguide.org.uk offers advice and guidance to help make sure that people in housing need can access and keep a home 3rd Floor, Messenger House, 35 St Michaels Square, Gloucester, GL1 1HX Tel: 0344 515 1286. Website: www.shelter.org.uk Drop in centre: Mondays, Wednesday, Friday 9.30am - 1.15pm National Debtline provides free, confidential independent advice for people with debt. Contact them on: 0800 808 4000 How to apply for Housing and Social Security Benefits Housing Benefit is to assist people on a low income to pay their rent to their landlord. The amount of benefit awarded will depend on the rent you pay, your household and financial circumstances. To apply for housing benefit contact your local council: Tewkesbury Borough Council Tel: 01684 295010 Cheltenham Borough Council Tel: 01242 262626 Gloucester City Council Tel: 01452 396396 Forest of Dean District Council Tel: 01594 810000 Stroud District Council Tel: 01453 766321 Cotswold District Council Tel: 01285 623000 Wychavon District Council Tel: 01905 822744 Providing confidential advice and information for people with disabilities, their carers and representatives, about social security benefits and how to claim them. Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800 88 22 00. Website: www.direct.gov.uk Avoid Loan Sharks Beware of using Loan Sharks to try and get out of debt. They charge very high levels of interest and often operate illegally. Credit Union Gloucestershire now has its own CREDIT UNION which can help people to start saving money and eventually get credit to help with debt. To contact Gloucestershire Credit Union please call: 01452 422712 or visit: www.gloscreditunion.org.uk UsefUl ContaCt Details 24hr information available at: www.adviseguide.org.uk GUiDE is Gloucestershire’s Health, Social Care and Disability information service. They hold a database of 4000+ local and national support organisations. This is a free and confidential service. opening times: 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. You can access this service by contacting GUiDe as shown below: t: 0845 658 3888 e: enquiries@guide-information.org.uk w: www.guide-information.org.uk Severn Vale Housing Society Limited Shannon Way, Ashchurch, Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 8ND t: 01684 272727 f: 01684 272728 e: info@svhs.org.uk w: www.svhs.org.uk Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm Registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1965. Register Number: 28557R. Registered Office: As above. Tenant Services Authority Registration No.: L4171. Document Control Created by: Income Management Date created: August 2011 Customer Approved: September 2011