Talk to Us

    When personal circumstances or characteristics combine with other factors, like the impact of increased cost of living, situations can be created where you are less able to sort out problems that you didn’t have, or were in control of, previously. You might now need professional help or advice that you have never needed before and this is true for lots of different sorts of people, for example: If you are caring for someone else, are on a low income, are recently bereaved or struggle with your mental wellbeing.


    Household Bills

    Through no fault of your own, you might be struggling to afford your bills; living in a cold, energy inefficient home; facing pressure sales tactics from companies; struggling to understand and act upon information or choices (such as getting the best deal) or lacking the confidence or ability to pursue a query or complaint. You may be worried about struggling to afford rent/mortgage payments; living in poor quality or overcrowded accommodation; threatened with homelessness or vulnerable to loan sharks/ high cost pay day loan providers.

    To help you, below we have compiled a list of local sources of information and advice on a range of topics. You don’t have to be in crisis, or referred by a specialist to use these, they are all open to the general public and residents of Stafford Borough.


    Gas, Electric and Water Bills

    You can reduce your energy bills, get help with fuel bill debts, broken or inefficient heating systems with support from Warmer Homes Stafford. There is information on the following websites or call free to speak to an adviser.

    Stafford Borough Council - Information about Warmer Homes Stafford

    Warmer Homes Stafford or telephone 0800 677 1785

    Your energy supply - Citizens Advice Bureau


    Rent or Mortgage Payments

    Speak to your lender directly if you’re struggling with your mortgage payments. Alternatively, you can access a free consultation with an independent Financial Adviser or Mortgage Broker at Unbiased.

    Homeowners might be able to get help towards interest payments on mortgage or loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home - Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).

    Citizens Advice Bureau can help you to reduce your mortgage cost.

    If you’re struggling with your rent, you should speak to your landlord directly. If you rent a home from Homes Plus (formerly Stafford and Rural Homes) please visit their website to see what help and advice they offer.

    Housing Plus Group

    If at risk of losing your home Citizens Advice Bureau will assist with housing related debt. Telephone operators can carry out an initial assessment and book appointments for housing advice contact: call-back@citizensadvicessw.org.uk for a call back within 3 days, 07736 929523 or 07736924929.

    Housing Options toolkit for advice and information to help prevent homelessness.

    Advice for Landlords if your tenant is having difficulty paying the rent.


    Access to Food

    Local Food Banks information and opening times.


    Council Tax

    Online forms and tools, including a calculator for Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit - Benefit service.


    Income

    Budgeting tool to consider your income and expenditure

    If you are experiencing problems with tax, and have tried to resolve your issue through HMRC, Tax Aid will provide free advice

    If you're leaving a job - Citizens Advice Bureau

    Calculate your redundancy pay


    Difficulties at work

    ACAS is an independent public body who provide free and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives.

    You can speak to a trained ACAS adviser for free and confidential advice about employment rights and your workplace problem.

    Contact: 0300 123 1100 - Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.


    Unemployment

    Building Better Opportunities in Stafford is a free programme for individuals looking to build their skills and confidence, gain new skills, get specialist financial advice and find employment.


    Benefits

    Staffordshire County Council offer a benefits calculator which will help you find out what benefits you can claim.

    Guide to benefits for people relevant to you - Turn 2 Us.

    Universal Credit help to claim - you can contact a Citizens Advice Bureau adviser through their free Help to Claim phone service, they will assist with registration up to the first payment and complete benefit entitlement checks. Contact: 0800 144 8444.


    Banking

    Work out which debts to deal with first - Citizens Advice Bureau

    Debt solutions for your non-priority debts - stepchange.org


    Mental Wellbeing

    Information and Support - Mind.org.uk

    If you just need to talk, any time of day or night - Staffordshire.gov.uk

    Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Service: Offer help for any type of emotional problem, or physical symptoms that can cause emotional distress.

    Urgent Help: Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust

    • Telephone Support, advice and triage: 0808 196 3002

    Watch our Community Information Webinars


    Relationship breakdown

    Ending a Relationship - Citizens Advice

    Calculate your child maintenance - gov.uk

    New Era aims to end relationship abuse through a wide range of individual and group support for adults, children and young people for as long as they need it. 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, specialised help is available for all victims of domestic abuse in Staffordshire when they need it most. The service also provides a webchat facility.

    Call 0300 303 3778 and speak to someone now.

    Domestic and Sexual Violence

    Staffordshire Women's Aid, 0300 330 5959.


    Physical Health

    Drugs and alcohol - ReSolv.org or call 01785 817885

    Sure Start Maternity Grant - is a one-off payment to help towards the cost of having a child.


    Other

     

    You can watch our Community Information Webinars again: 

    Webinar 1: Financial Hardship and Distress - 2 December 2020 
    Speakers:
    Councillor Jeremy Pert - Stafford Borough Council
    Sam Taylor and Hayley Smith - Stafford Borough Council 
    Martin Peake - Beat the Cold, Warmer Homes Stafford 
    Elena Dudley - Citizens Advice Bureau
    Kully Manak - National Careers Service

    Webinar 2: Mental Health and Wellbeing - 3 December 2020 
    Danny Finch - Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust
    Dan Gibbons - Re-Solv 
    Esther Bromley - Support Staffordshire
    Sharon Whitchurch - Starfish Health and Wellbeing

    Webinar 3: Sustainability and Capacity Building - 3 December 2020
    Lucy Gratton - Staffordshire Connects 
    Anne Ross - Support Staffordshire 
    Lucy Cox - Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services
    Sarah James - Staffordshire County Council, Doing Our Bit

    A to Z of Services