Useful Organisations

There are a range of organisations that can help people with queries in relation to benefits and money matters.

Debt can affect anyone at any time in their lives. Individuals should get help if they are regularly worrying about money, struggling to pay bills, relying on overdrafts or credit cards and or missing credit card repayments. Some of the organisations detailed below can help people further about debt.

Age NI Advice and Advocacy

If you or an older person needs advice, information, or practical support on issues such as welfare benefits, community care, housing and health, contact the Age NI Advice Service to speak to a specialist advisor in confidence.

Advisors can provide a free benefit check to ensure that older people are accessing the benefits they are entitled to. Tel: 0808 808 7575 or visit Age NI - The leading charity for older people in Northern Ireland (ageuk.org.uk)

Disability and Carers Service

Disability and Carers Service administers Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Carer's Credit Tel: 0800 587 0912| Textphone Number: 0800 012 1574

Jobs & Benefits

Jobs & Benefits provides advice and information on services and local supports including jobs, benefit eligibility and benefits application, preparation for work and access to training.   

For Employment Services Tel: 0300 200 7822 or Textphone: 0800 587 1297
For Jobseekers' Allowance or Income Support Tel: 0800 022 4250  
For Universal Credit enquiries or support with claims Tel: 0800 012 1331  or Textphone: 0800 012 1441

MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper helps people access free, impartial money and pension guidance, that cuts through financial jargon and complexity, to help build confidence and reduce anxiety, in all types of money matters. MoneyHelper is provided by HM Government and Money and Pensions Service.

It offers free guidance on Benefits, Everyday Money, Homes, Money Troubles, Family and Care, Pensions and Retirement, Savings and Work.   For free and impartial Money Guidance Tel: 0800 138 7777  or WhatsApp 07701342744.

For Pensions Guidance Tel: 0800 011 3797 or visit the site for articles and support Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Benefit and Budget Calculator

This Free online calculator can help people make sure people they are claiming all the benefits they're entitled to. Visit The Housing Executive - Avoiding debt (nihe.gov.uk)

Advice NI

Along with its members, provides free advice and information on free and confidential tailored debt advice, budgeting advice, solutions to deal with the debt and help to negotiate with creditors on your behalf. Tel 0800 915 4604 or visit Welcome to Advice NI | Advice NI

Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

Providing free independent debt help to all, alongside practical and emotional support. It also provides money management education, life skills courses and job clubs. It has local debt advice services in both Bangor and Newtownards, working with Primacy Church in Bangor and The Link Family and Community Centre in Newtownards.

The Life Skills Course helps people to live and manage better on limited income and is run locally in Bangor and Newtownards.

For more details on when services are running can be found on the website using the postcode finder. Tel: 0800 328 0006 or visit www.capuk.org 

Community Advice Ards and North Down (formerly Citizen's Advice)

Community Advice Ards and North Down (formerly Citizen's Advice) help people resolve problems including debt, social security benefits, housing, legal, health, discrimination, employment, immigration, tax, relationship and consumer issues.

Community Advice Ards and North Down comprises the Ards, Bangor and Holywood offices and is a member of Advice NI which is the largest independent advice provider in Northern Ireland. Advice Line Number Tel: 0300 123 9287 or visit CAAND - Community Advice Ards and North Down

StepChange Debt Charity

Provides free debt advice and solutions to anyone struggling with debt. Tel: 0800 138 1111 or visit StepChange Debt Charity - Free Expert Debt Advice.

For help with Everyday Banking

Everyday Banking| Some organisations can help people to bank every day.

Post Offices now offer a free way for people to access their high street bank account for personal and business customers. Some banks may charge for selected services, please speak to your bank for details. Services include paying in cash and cheques, withdrawing money and checking your balance.

To check what personal banking services are now available from any Post Office branch and what you need to access your account. 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Textphone: 0345 722 3355 or visit Everyday Banking | Personal & Business Accounts | Post Office®

Ulster Bank offers mobile bank services where the bank comes to you and allows you to do all your usual everyday banking, like making deposits, withdrawing cash, and paying bills. For more information visit Banking near me | Ulster Bank NI