Council advice as credit crunch bites

As news about the credit crunch gets gloomier by the day, the Royal Borough has urged residents to get early help and advice if they are facing financial problems.

"Don't ignore money worries - they won't go away. Get proper help and advice as early as possible," said Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for adult and community services.

The council offers a range of advice services for local residents, including financial help with paying rent and/or council tax by claiming housing and council tax benefit.  However, it is important to get in touch as soon as personal circumstances change, for example when people become ill, lose their jobs or have to take a cut in pay.

Cllr Dudley said:  "We are living in extraordinary times and more and more people are beginning to feel the effects of the global financial situation. Particularly as we come up to Christmas, it is very easy to try to ignore the problems and hope they will disappear - however, they won't and it is absolutely essential to get the proper help and guidance as soon as possible."

The council has expert staff available to find workable ways forward, not only for housing and council tax benefit problems but also to help residents get advice about other issues including affordable housing, flexible home loans, social care for adults and children and grants that may be available for home heating and insulation.

Contacting council services couldn't be easier.  Here is a list of contacts which will be helpful for people who need help and advice:

General enquiries    01628 683800
Benefits (housing and council tax)  01628 796036
Social care services    
 Adult care    01628 683744
 Children and families  01628 683150
Family Information Service   01628 507587
Affordable housing    01628 683685
Energy efficiency    01628 683820
Flexible home loans    01628 683820

Information is also available on the Royal Borough's website www.rbwm.gov.uk or by calling at the council's customer service centre in the Town Hall, Maidenhead, or York House, Sheet Street, Windsor.

Other organisations for useful help and advice:
Citizens Advice Bureau    01628 621006 (appointments: 01628 674842)
Income Support &
Jobseekers' Allowance  0800 055 6688

Working Tax Credit &
Child Tax Credit   0845 300 3900
Pension Credit    0800 99 1234
Payplan (debt advice)   0800 917 7823
National Debtline (debt problems)  0808 808 4000
Financial Services Authority
      (guides on how to manage money) 0845 606 1234
Consumer Credit Counselling Service 0800 138 1111
Community Legal Advice   0845 345 4 345

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