Stevenage


Client Issue Abbreviations: BNF – Benefits, BSN – Business, CNS – Consumer, DBT – Debt, DSB – Disabilities / Health,
FML – Family, HSN – Housing, 
IMM – Immigration, LAW – Law, NON – No issue, OTH – Other, TAX – Tax, WRK – Work.

Note: each ‘By LCA’ page also includes any national resources.

ResourceResource NotesContact DetailsIssueTop
ACAS

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

Help and advice for employers and employees.

0300 123 1100
http://www.acas.org.uk/

Shortcode: *2 Pause 906

12
Action Fraud

National fraud and cyber crime reporting centre.

0300 123 2040
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

8
Advice Now

Advicenow provides clear, step-by-step, user-friendly practical guides, and 'top picks' from the rest of the web, to help you manage life's legal problems.

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/

BNF, 5, 8
AdviceNow self help guides

Advicenow guides are easy-to-read and practical. They explain what you need to know, where you need to go, and what you need to do to solve your problem.

https://www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides

BNF, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Age UK

The country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life.

0800 169 2081
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Chelmsford Age UK 112 Springfield Rd, Chelmsford, CM2 6LF – 01245 346106
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/essex/

4
Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer’s Society

National and local Dementia Helplines.

National helpline: 0300 222 1122
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Essex Office: 32 Wharf Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 6LU
Tel: 01245 260911
Email: Essex.Admin@alzheimers.org.uk

4
Ask the Police

Your policing questions answered.

https://www.askthe.police.uk

8
Benefits Calculators

Citizens Advice calculator - 13/10/2017 temporarily out of action.

Entitled To

MoneySavingsExpert

Turn2Us

BNF
Bereaved customers

British Banking Association leaflet

A guide to help you if you need to settle the banking affairs of someone who has died.

https://www.bba.org.uk/publication/leaflets/bereaved-customers/

5
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

BACP is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. We exist for one simple reason - counselling changes lives.

https://www.bacp.co.uk/

4, 5
Business Debtline

Free, impartial and confidential debt advice to small businesses and the self-employed.

0800 197 6026
https://www.businessdebtline.org/#

Shortcode: *2 Pause 952

1
Buttle

Grants for young people

020 7828 7311
http://www.buttleuk.org/

BNF
Cafcass

Cafcass stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Cafcass represents children in family court cases in England. We put children’s needs, wishes and feelings first, making sure that children’s voices are heard at the heart of the family court setting, and that decisions are made in their best interests.

https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/

5, 8
Capability for work questionnaire

ESA50

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capability-for-work-questionnaire

BNF, 12
Care Home costs - how care assessment needs works

How care needs assessment works / do I have to pay for care services?

Money Advice Service - https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-a-local-authority-care-needs-assessment-works

Essex County Council - https://www.essex.gov.uk/Health-Social-Care/Health-and-social-care-for-adults/charging-for-care-services/Pages/Do-I-have-to-pay-for-my-care-services.aspx

4, 5
Charis

Help with utility bills. Charis support those who are struggling to pay their bills or have other essential needs.

01733 421021
http://www.charisgrants.com/
Application form requests.
01733 421060 (automated service)

BNF
Child Maintenance Options

Our calculator can give you an indication of the amount that you could expect to pay or receive.

0800 988 0988
https://www.cmoptions.org/

Shortcode: *2 Pause 907

BNF, 5
Citizens Advice Adviceline Referral Tools (Herts and Chelmsford)

Please click on the name of the Local CA you require below - you will be taken to each of their appropriate referral points.

Broxbourne

Chelmsford

Dacorum

East Herts

Hertsmere

North Herts

St Albans

Stevenage

Three Rivers

Watford

Welwyn Hatfield

10
CLS Direct (Community Legal Services)

Benefit referral

Update Feb 2017 CLS is no longer accepting new clients see here: http://www.communitylegal.co.uk/

Tel: 0300 200 2020
www.legalservices.gov.uk

BNF
Community Legal Representation

ESA and PIP help and representation, by qualified lawyers.

0800 0614676
http://www.communitylegalreps.org/
Email: help@communitylegalreps.org

BNF
Complaints leaflet

Complaints about Citizens Advice service.

http://www.cab.rogw.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Complaints_leaflet.pdf

10
Consumer Helpline

Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline

0808 223 1133
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Shortcode: *2 Pause 100

2
Coram

Children’s Legal Centre

Providing legal information and representation on all issues of the law relating to children and young people.

They provide specialist advice and information on child, family and education law to parents, carers and young people.

0300 330 5480
Main Page – http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/index.php?page=home
Law Advice sub page – http://childlawadvice.org.uk/

5, 8
Councillor

Contact your local Councillor or MP.

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

https://www.writetothem.com/

10
Crisis

Crisis is a charity for single homeless people.

0300 636 1967
www.crisis.org.uk

5, 6
Cyberbullying

Internet Matters
A not-for-profit organisation that’s purpose is to help keep children safe in the digital world.

https://www.internetmatters.org/

5
Dementia UK

Support for families facing dementia

0800 888 6678
https://www.dementiauk.org/

4
Domestic Violence Helpline (National)

The Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge, is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.

0808 2000 247
http://www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/

Shortcode: *2 Pause 925

5, 10
DWP

0800 055 6688 To claim
0845 600 0148 Existing clients
www.gov.uk

BNF
Energy Savings Trust

Advice on heating and hot water and grants for boiler replacement for those on a low income.

0300 123 1234
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

BNF
Entitled To

Benefits calculator

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/startcalc.aspx

BNF
Family Lives

A charity offering a range of advice on pregnancy, pre-schooling problems, problems at school, bullying, general family issues and divorce and separation.

0808 800 2222
http://www.familylives.org.uk/

5
Financial Ombudsman

We were set up by Parliament to resolve individual complaints between financial businesses and their customers. We can look into problems involving most types of money matters - from payday loans to pensions, pet insurance to PPI. If we decide someone's been treated unfairly, we have legal powers to put things right.

0300 123 9 123 or 0800 023 4567
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

Shortcode: *2 Pause 111

2
Fix My Street

Report, view, or discuss local problems (like graffiti, fly tipping, broken paving slabs, or street lighting)

https://www.fixmystreet.com/

6, 10
FRU - Free Representation Unit

FRU provides representation in employment and social security hearings. We only take cases from our referral agencies and cannot guarantee representation.

Note: Chelmsford CA is a referral agency.

http://www.thefru.org.uk/

8
Fundraising Preferences Service

Cease funding communications from Charities.

A member of the public can now visit the website and submit a request to cease communication from a specific charity or charities of their choice. More vulnerable members of the public, or for those without access to the internet, can call 0300 3033 517.

0300 3033 517
Fundraising Preference Service

10
Gambling

National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133

Gamblers Anonymous: 0330 094 0322
Chelmsford Gamblers Anonymous,
Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Road, Chelmsford CM2 6HR
Meetings, Wednesday 19:30 - 21:30

3, 5
Gov.UK

https://www.gov.uk/

BNF, 7, 8, 10, 11
Gov.UK

Visas and immigration

  • Asylum 0300 123 2235
  • Citizenship, EU Nationals and living in the UK 0300 123 2253
  • General enquiries and Visas 0300 123 2241
  • Sponsoring and employee or student 0300 123 4699

https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration

https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser

7
Herts Money Advice Unit

Find out what benefits you can get and where to go for money advice.

hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/advben/bnftsadvc/bacpdf

BNF
Herts Sunflower

Abuse and domestic violence.

08088 088 088
https://www.hertssunflower.org/herts-sunflower.aspx

5
Herts Welfare Assistance Scheme

We'll make sure you get the help you need by directing you to specialist support services who can give you confidential and anonymous advice. We can also help you get:

  • information about grants available
  • food packs
  • starter home packs
  • small domestic appliances.

0300 123 4044
https://www.hertshelp.net/our-services/support-in-a-crisis.aspx

BNF, 6
Herts Women's Centre

Women working to support women.

01438 742742
hertswomenscentre.org.uk

5
Herts Young Homeless

16-17 years old: 03003 230130
18-24 years old: 08000 355 775
All others: 03333 202 384
https://www.hyh.org.uk/

6
HMRC Child Benefit

Contact HMRC for information about eligibility, claiming and stopping Child Benefit, changing your personal details and making a complaint.

0300 200 3100 or 0161 210 3086
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/child-benefit

Shortcode: *2 Pause 947

BNF
HMRC Helpline

Have your National Insurance number with you when you call.

0300 200 3300 or 0135 535 9022
Mon – Fri: 08:00 – 20:00
Sat: 08:00 – 16:00
Sun: 09:00 – 17:00

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/income-tax-enquiries-for-individuals-pensioners-and-employees

Or by post:
Pay As You Earn and Self Assessment
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1AS
United Kingdom

Shortcode: *2 Pause 946

11
Housing Factsheets

A variety of factsheets produced by NHAS (National Homelessness Advisory Service), homelessness, eviction, disrepair etc. etc.

https://www.nhas.org.uk/factsheets

6
Immigration Law Practitioners Association

Provide information to members and others on domestic and European immigration, asylum and nationality law

020 7251 8383
www.ilpa.org.uk

7
Independent Age

Offering regular friendly contact and a strong campaigning voice, Independent Age can provide you and your family with clear, free and impartial advice on the issues that matter: care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility.
A charity founded over 150 years ago, we’re independent so you can be.

0800 319 6789
https://www.independentage.org/

4, 5
Jobseekers Allowance Claim line

You can usually claim JSA online, but the online application service is temporarily unavailable. Claim by phone instead.

0800 055 6688
https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/how-to-claim

Shortcode: *2 Pause 924

BNF
Law Centres Network -

More and more people need our assistance to tackle injustices, that endanger their homes, livelihoods or loved ones. Law Centres can now only assist 1 in 3 people who contact us.

http://www.lawcentres.org.uk/

8
Law Society

Find a solicitor.

www.lawsociety.org.uk

7, 8
Law Works

A charity working in England and Wales to connect volunteer lawyers with people in need of legal advice, who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay and with the not-for-profit organisations that support them.

https://www.lawworks.org.uk/

8
LawSavers

Simple, accessible, affordable justice for all.

01245 951300

http://lawsavers.co.uk/

8
Lawyers for your business

A Law Society initiative.

020 7242 1222

1, 8
Legal Aid

Check if you can get it.

https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid

8
Legal Aid Agency

Civil and criminal legal aid and advice in England and Wales.

0300 200 2020
www.legalservices.gov.uk

8
Local Authority

Find local authority by postcode.

http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/Start.do?mode=1

10
Mankind

Domestic abuse for men.

01823 334244
www.mankind.org.uk

5, 10
Marriage Care

We specialise in helping couples build and sustain strong, fulfilling, healthy relationships, and in providing support in times of relationship difficulty.

Why? Because better relationships make for better lives, more stable families and a stronger society.

We’re ready to help, whatever your circumstances.

0800 389 3801
https://www.marriagecare.org.uk/

5
Maternity - Working Families

Through our free legal advice helpline, we assist parents and carers in tackling complex issues around employment rights and benefits for families. We give employers the tools and guidance they need to support their employees while creating a flexible, high-performing workforce. And we advocate on behalf of the UK’s 13 million working parents, influencing policy through campaigns informed by ground-breaking research.

0300 012 0312
https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/

Some useful publications: https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/advice-information/

A weekly guide to maternity rights and benefits: http://www.cab.rogw.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Working-Families.pdf

BNF, 5, 8, 12
Maternity Action

Rights and entitlements during pregnancy, maternity leave and returning to work.

0808 802 0029 (Wednesday: 3pm – 7pm; Thursday: 3pm – 7pm; Friday: 10am – 2pm)
www.maternityaction.org.uk

5
Mencap

"Our vision is a world where people with a learning disability are valued equally, listened to and included"

For advice on a whole range of issues, social care, employment, housing, leisure, finances, personal support, support living services, wills and trusts and short breaks.

0808 808 1111
https://www.mencap.org.uk/

4
MIB (Motor Insurer’s Bureau)

Handles claims against uninsured and untraced motorists and endeavours to settle them fairly and promptly.

01908 830 001
https://www.mib.org.uk/

10
Mind

Mental health charity

0300 123 3393
www.mind.org.uk

4
Money Advice Service

Free and impartial money advice, set up by the Government.

0800 138 7777
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

3
Money Lending (Illegal) Team

Loan sharks are illegal moneylenders who often charge very high interest rates. You can check if a company is authorised to lend money and report loan sharks anonymously.

0300 555 2222
https://www.gov.uk/report-loan-shark

Shortcode: *2 Pause 923

3, 10
MP

Contact or find your MP or local Councillor.

http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

https://www.writetothem.com/

10
National Debtline

0808 808 4000
https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/Pages/default.aspx

Shortcode: *2 Pause 908

3
National Family Mediation

Helping families in conflict, especially those divorcing or separating.

0300 4000 636
http://www.nfm.org.uk/

5
Neighbour Disputes

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/problems-where-you-live/neighbour-disputes/

6
NHAS

National Homelessness Advice Service - Not public facing.
Provides advice to housing professionals, voluntary agencies and local Citizens Advice.

http://www.nhas.org.uk/

Public get pointed to (which mostly suggests they contact Shelter or Citizens Advice):

http://www.nhas.org.uk/member-of-the-public

6
North Herts Sanctuary

Providing shelter and targeted support to people in need.

01462 435835 or 01438 354884
northhertssanctuary.org.uk

6
Office of Public Guardian

Lasting Power of Attorney
Forms and guidance

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian

8
One Support

Housing related issues.

One Support provides a free service to people living within the community who may be struggling with housing related issues. Our aim is to help you maintain your tenancy, increase your life skills and to live more independently.

0208 821 5100
http://www.onehousing.co.uk/
29 Springfield House, Springfield Road, Chelmsford CM2 6JE
Email: essexfss@onehousinggroup.co.uk

6
Open Road

Helping families recover from the effects of drug and alcohol addiction.

http://openroad.org.uk/
0844 499 1323

4, 5
PayPlan

Free Debt help.

0800 280 2816
www.payplan.com

3
Pension Credit

A quick guide to Pension Credit entitlement, and links to an (anonymous) calculator.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit/pension-credit-toolkit-advice-and-guidance-for-stakeholders#quick-guide-to-entitlement

BNF
Pensions (Future Pension Centre)

0800 731 0175

10, 12
Pensions Advisory Service

General pension queries and complaints

0800 011 3797

www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk

10, 12
PensionWise

Free and impartial government guidance to help you understand what you can do with your pension pot.

01245 205567
0800 138 3944
https://www.pensionwise.gov.uk/

Shortcode: *2 Pause 942

BNF, 10
Phone

Charges to special numbers.

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/how-much-does-a-phone-call-really-cost/

10
Policy in Practice

Benefit Calculator

https://www.betteroffcalculator.co.uk/#/calculator/new/step1

BNF
Postcode Finder

Find postcode for an address or, a reverse search, find an address by postcode.

https://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode

10
Probate

How to obtain probate leaflet

http://www.probateforms.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PA2-How-to-obtain-probate-leaflet.pdf

5, 8
Probate Offices

http://www.probateforms.info/probate-registries/

5, 8
Red Cross

For temporary supply of equipment (walking aids / wheelchairs) – generally for 4 – 6 weeks then must return.

Red Cross Hardship fund (June 2020)

The Red Cross is administering a hardship fund which provides short term help for clients for up to a maximum of 3 months. After an initial misunderstanding over how to refer clients for help, we have now established that clients can contact the administrator, details provided by us, directly or with their consent we can pass their details on. Details of the fund are at https://hardshipfund.redcross.org.uk/

If you think this may be a suitable for a client, please see your supervisor.

Home delivery service – 01279 428569
Borrow or purchase equipment – 0344 412 2772
http://www.redcross.org.uk/

4
Refuge

Domestic abuse for women and children.

0808 2000 247
http://www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/help-for-women/

5, 6, 10
Refugee Council

Supporting refugees

https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/

7
Relate

We’re the UK's largest provider of relationship support, and every year we help over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships.

0300 100 1234
https://www.relate.org.uk/

Shortcode: *2 Pause 112

5
Rethink

Schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, personality disorders

www.rethink.org

4
RICA

Research Institute for Consumer Affairs

Consumer research focussing specifically on issues of concern to disabled and older consumers. RICA was founded through Consumers Association, publishers of Which? but is now an independent charity.

020 7427 2460
http://www.rica.org.uk/

2, 4
RNIB - Royal National Institute for the Blind

Supporting people with sight loss.

0303 123 9999
http://www.rnib.org.uk/

Shortcode: *2 Pause 106

4
Royal Association for Deaf People

They have an outreach in the library on Thursdays and offer advice in welfare benefits, debt, immigration, housing, discrimination, employment, and family law.

They also have connections with a deaf solicitor if a case needs further legal advice and the matter requires legal proceedings to be instigated.

Voice phone – 0845 688 2525
Text phone – 0845 688 2527
www.royaldeaf.org.uk

4
Royal British Legion

Support for the Armed Forces

0808 802 8080
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

10
Safer Places

Domestic Abuse.

0845 0177 668
http://www.saferplaces.co.uk/

5, 10
Samaritans

116 123 (free)
http://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-chelmsford-and-mid-essex
Email: jo@samaritans.org

4, 5
Scope

Scope is a charity that exists to make this country a place where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.

0808 800 3333
http://www.scope.org.uk//

4
Shelter

0808 252 0143 & 0808 800 4444
www.shelter.org.uk

Tools and checklists - http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/downloads_and_tools

Shortcode: *2 Pause 909

 

6
SSAFA

Soldiers, Sailors and Families Association, Armed Forces Charity.

01206 764 114
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/essex
Email: Essex@ssafa.org.uk

10
Stepchange - formerly CCCS

Helping people overcome their debt problems.

0800 138 1111
www.stepchange.org

Shortcode, *2 Pause 912

3
StreetLink

To advise Homeless organisations (CHESS etc.) about someone sleeping rough so they can be offered support.

http://www.streetlink.org.uk/

6
Support Though Court (was the PSU)

Support for County Court litigants.

Tel: 01245 245527 Mon – Thus 09:30 – 13:30
https://www.supportthroughcourt.org/
Support Through Court, Chelmsford County Court, Priory Place, New London Rd. Chelmsford CM2 0PP

Tax - Low Income

People on low incomes need their taxes to be as simple as possible. Our aim is to persuade politicians and HM Revenue & Customs to make the tax system easier and fairer for all while making tax and tax credit information available to those who are unable to afford professional advice.

https://www.litrg.org.uk/
Online contact form - https://www.litrg.org.uk/contact-us

BNF, 11
Trusted Traders

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/finding-a-trustworthy-trader/

2
Turn2us

A charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

Grant Search:
UID: supervisors@chelmsfordcab.org
PWD:Enquiries1

BNF
Unforgettable

Providing a range of dementia products, services and advice to improve the lives of those affected by dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss.

020 3322 9070
https://www.unforgettable.org/

4, 8
Universal Credit

This site will help you understand what Universal Credit means for you. If you want to go straight to making a claim for Universal Credit visit gov.uk/universal-credit

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/

BNF
Unlock

Prisoners advice.

A charity for people with convictions by providing information, advice and support to overcome the stigma of their previous convictions.

01634 247350
www.unlock.org.uk

8, 10
Vicar’s relief fund

St Martin’s-in-the-fields administers the above fund which makes grants to individuals in need. This is not limited to a geographic area and is intended for the whole community. There are no eligibility requirements on the basis of gender, age, origin, status, ethnic group, or faith. For clients in need of financial help – for example in a crisis, or to help set up home when they have previously been homeless.

https://www.smitfc.org/our-grants/

BNF
Victim Support

For people affected by crime or traumatic events to get the support they need and the respect they deserve.

0808 168 9111
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

5, 8
What to bring to Citizens Advice

This page gives you an idea of the kind of information it’s useful to bring with you. If you haven’t got everything that’s shown, don’t worry – bring as much as you can find.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-we-provide-advice/advice/what-to-bring-on-your-local-citizens-advice-visit/

10
Working Families - Maternity

Through our free legal advice helpline, we assist parents and carers in tackling complex issues around employment rights and benefits for families. We give employers the tools and guidance they need to support their employees while creating a flexible, high-performing workforce. And we advocate on behalf of the UK’s 13 million working parents, influencing policy through campaigns informed by ground-breaking research.

0300 012 0312
https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/

Some useful publications: https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/advice-information/

A weekly guide to maternity rights and benefits: http://www.cab.rogw.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Working-Families.pdf

BNF, 5, 8, 12