Week 0- Week 0

Welcome to Both Sides of the Road

BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH!

Both Sides of the Road has put together a series of links and information below to help you with more information about your finances, your entitlement to benefits, free goods, advice services and much more.

So, if you are thinking about changing to a cheaper gas or electricity supplier, changing your mobile phone contract, in need of financial advice or support and want to cut your costs, check out these links.

Benefit entitlements check
New - Disability Advocacy Service
Cold Weather Payments
Dealing with Debt
Money saving advice
Community Legal Advice
AdviceNow
Loan Sharks – Help and Advice
Citizens Advice
Trading Standards – Consumer Direct
Internet phone - free and cheap calls
Freecycle
Free goods and samples
More freebies!
Free Peace of Mind (Fire Safety)


Benefit entitlements check

Check your right to benefits online – child tax credit, family tax credit, pension credits and many more – it takes just 10-20 minutes and gives you the information you need about your entitlements.

This has been a big hit with residents in Splott – don’t miss out on what you need to know:

www.entitledto.co.uk

 

Disabillity Advocacy Service

You can contact Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People's Advocacy Service about issues related to your disability, care and for advice and support with applying for benefits.

Tel: 029 2025 5611
Minicom 029 2056 0303

info@cvcdp.org

To find more about us visit our website www.cvcdp.org

 

 

Cold Weather Payments

Government guidence on who is entitled to Cold Weather Payments - a payment of £25 a week when the weather is at it's coldest.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits

Real Help Now On Direct.gov.uk

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/campaigns/RealHelpNow/index.html

 

Dealing with Debt

Find the best advice on dealing with debt from one of the following links:
Get free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems, on the web, or on 0808 808 4000

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/

Get confidential advice and support for free on debt worries and regain control over your finances – speak to a debt counsellor on freephone – 0800 131 1111, or visit the website for online advice

http://www.cccs.co.uk/


Money saving advice

Fed up paying too much for your gas and electric bills? Want to check out the best mortgage deals to cut your costs?

http://www.uswitch.com/

Get advice on cutting your weekly shopping bills, how to swap to cheaper credit cards, getting a better mobile phone deal, get advice on challenging bank charges:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Moneymadeclear from the Financial Services Authority. We cut out the jargon and give you just the facts about financial products and services, helping you to make an informed decision.

http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk

Are you re-thinking your monthly budget? Use this handy online personal finance calculator to work out your income and outgoings each month:

http://www.moneymatterstome.co.uk/Interactive-Tools/Budgeter.htm

Community Legal Advice

This website offers free, confidential and independent legal advice for residents of England and Wales, including advice around benefits, tax credits and debt.  You can also use this site to search for local free advice centres.

http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/


AdviceNow

Provides accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues, in Plain English.  Includes advice on Benefits, Employment, Family issues, Housing, Money and Tax.

http://www.advicenow.org.uk


Loan Sharks – Help and Advice

Anyone who is a victim of a loan shark, or knows a friend or family member who is affected by their activities can call the Illegal Money Lending Unit on their newly launched hotline number on 0300 123 33 11 and speak to a specialist officer. Calls to the hotline will be completely confidential.  imlu@cardiff.gov.uk


Citizens Advice

The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice.  Search the website for information, call the advice line below, or drop in to the weekly session in Ely Library, every Thursday, 2pm – 4.15pm.

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Advice Line: 029 2034 6499


Trading Standards – Consumer Direct

Regionally based advisors are specially trained to give practical advice on all kinds of consumer issues - from problems with cars to faulty household appliances to issues with your gas or electricity supplier.

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

Telephone: 08454 04 05 06


Internet phone - free and cheap calls

Sign up for free and make free or very cheap phone calls to friends and family, in the UK and abroad

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/


Freecycle

Find things you want for free – household goods, garden items – even cars – and give a good home to things that can still be used – 15,000 people in Cardiff use Freecycle and it works:

http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK/Wales/Cardiff


Free goods and samples

Find vouchers and coupons for the latest deals – check out the directory of freebies available, find the cheapest petrol stations and much more

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/freebies-gold


More freebies!

Lots of promotional and free offers – from food to cosmetics.

http://www.freestuff.co.uk/


Free Peace of Mind (Fire Safety)

FREE home fire safety check and FREE smoke alarms with your local Fire and Rescue Service.  Call FREE now 0800 169 1234 or visit http://www.fireflash.org
Download the Flyer