You can ask for advice on any benefit from the people at the Benefits Service offices of the council. They are best placed to advise you on procedures and whether you are eligible for help in paying your bills. However, if you do not wish to do this or if you are having particular problems with paying your council bills, or you have any other bills outstanding, then you may wish to seek independent advice. This is available, free of charge, from the Citizens Advice Bureau at one of the following addresses:
| Bury St Edmunds | Haverhill |
| Citizens Advice Bureau
Risbygate Centre
90 Risbygate Street
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 1AA
Telephone: 01284 753675
www.burystedmundscab.org.uk | Citizens Advice Bureau
Lower Downs S lade
Haverhill
Suffolk
CB9 9EE
Phone: 01440 704012 |
Opening hours - see CAB website.
Ipswich and Suffolk Credit Union
63 Austin Street
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP2 8DF
Phone: 01473 690690
www.onesuffolk.co.uk/ipswichandsuffolkcreditunion
Welfare Rights Unit
If you have a social worker, you can ask them to do a benefits check for you. You can also get advice from the Customer Service Officer at your local Suffolk County Council Social Services Office. Ask for the Welfare Rights Unit by telephone or writing to:
Social Services Department
Shire Hall
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 1RJ
Phone: 01284 352000
Minicom: 01284 352050
Community Legal Advice
Community Legal Advice can provide independent advice about debt, education, benefits and tax credits, employment and housing problems and family breakdown. They work in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to provide services to people in need. There are no offices in the East of England but they can give telephone advice.
Telephone helpline on 0845 345 4 345 or search their directory to find a legal adviser near you by visiting: http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
Other organisations that can help:
Trade Unions
- Trade Unions may also offer free advice and support to their members.
- These advice centres can help you understand the reason for decisions about Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
- They can give independent advice, ask questions for you, and help you to fill in forms or to write a letter.
- They may be able to help you present your case to the Tribunal that hears your appeal.
Solicitors
- You may be able to get advice from a solicitor under the legal advice and assistance scheme.
- If you decide to use a solicitor, the scheme does not cover the cost of a solicitor to assist you at a hearing.
- You cannot get any money for things like solicitors fees from the Council or the Appeals Service.
- Details of local solicitors are contained in the Community Legal Services Directory which is available at any of the above CAB offices or any local solicitors office, or contact the CLS call centre telephone 0845 608 1122; minicom 0845 609 6677. Or visit: www.justask.org.uk
- Get free help or legal advice over the phone for problems with debt, housing, employment education and welfare benefits and tax credits from Community Legal Advice.
