Financial advice
Melin can offer you advice and support on a range of financial issues including budgeting, what to do if you're in rent arrears, and how to ensure that you're receiving all the benefits to which you're entitled.
- Benefit claims and debt advice
Melin's Shelter Advisor Mike Bailey can help you find out if you're claiming all the benefits to which you're entitled, including housing benefit, tax credits and disability living allowance.
If you have any queries or need debt advice, please call Mike on 08453 101102.
- Rent Arrears
We can offer you help if you're worried about rent arrears. Please contact your Housing Officer.
Independent advice
The housing and homelessness charity Shelter runs a housing benefit advice surgery from our office in Pontypool on Thursday and Friday from 9am till 5pm.
Shelter offers free independent advice on housing and welfare benefits, and debt and rent arrears advice. Home visits can be arranged. Please call Mike Bailey between 9am and 5pm Thursdays and Fridays on 08453 101102.
For more information about Shelter please visit www.sheltercymru.co.uk or call freephone 0808 800 4444.
If you would like independent advice about debt problems, or have any queries, please contact the National Debt Hotline on 0808 808 4000.
- Housing Debt Helpline Wales
The Housing Debt Helpline Wales provides free, independent, confidential and expert advice on housing related debt. For more information please visit www.housing-debt-helpline-wales.org
Alternatively you can ring 0800 107 1340.
- Credit Unions
Credit Unions offer competitive, low-cost loans and a safe place for your savings. The following Credit Unions operate in your area:
- Gateway Credit Union works with people who live and/or work in Torfaen and Monmouthshire. For more information, please telephone 01495 750020.
- Brecon and District Credit Union Limited operates in the Powys area. Please telephone 01874 620104.
- Smart Money Credit Union Limited operates in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent. Please telephone 02920 883751.
- Newport Credit Union Limited operates in Newport. Please telephone 01633 822224.
Illegal money lenders
If you would like help, support or advice about illegal money lenders, you can call the All Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (IMLU).
The confidential hotline number is 0300 123 3311. They can help if you are experiencing problems with loan sharks.
- Consumer credit
For an extensive range of money advice, including information about the best savings accounts, credit cards and mortgages, and special offers to help save you money, please visit www.moneysavingexpert.com
- Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,200 locations.
The Citizens Advice website contains up-to-date information on a wide range of topics, including benefits and housing, debt and tax issues, and employment rights and discrimination.
For more information, please visit www.adviceguide.org.uk
For an example of how Melin can help you with your finances, please click here.
