Advice, benefits and money

Advice NI
The Independent Advice Network is here to help you improve the quality of your life. We offer information, advice, advocacy and representation on: Tax and Benefits, Debt, Housing, Employability / Help to work; Consumer Rights and older people’s issues.

1 Rushfield Avenue, Belfast BT7 3FP
Tel: 028 9064 5919

Independent Welfare Changes Helpline
Tel: 0808 802 0020
Email: info@adviceni.net.
For more information go to www.adviceni.net.

Age NI
Age NI provides an advocacy service for people experiencing difficulties negotiating the health and social care system, accessing appropriate levels of community care, dealing with issues relating to residential and nursing care. The charity’s advice and advocacy services also provide direct access to advice, information and practical support on a wide range of issues including welfare benefits, community care, housing and health.

Freephone: 0808 808 7575 (8am – 7pm 365 days a year)
Email: advice@ageni.org
For more information go to www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland.

First Connect Service
Age NI’s First Connect service offers dedicated emotional and practical support at difficult times in an individual’s life; situations which are often triggered by feeling the loss of independence or sudden unexpected changes in important relationships.

Times like these can impact on a person’s sense of control, self-confidence or self-esteem and quality of life. Through First Connect we are there to support older people and help them make sense of what is happening in their lives and to support them to make choices and access new opportunities and services that they consider best enhances and sustains their wellbeing and independence. We believe this approach will support older people to remain independent in their own homes and communities.

To make a referral to the First Connect Service freephone: 080 8808 7575 (8am – 7pm 365 days a year)
Tel: 079 7138 9488
Email: sam.cunningham@ageni.org.
For more information go to www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland/services/carewellbeing-services/first-connect-service/.

Benefit Enquiry Line
The benefit enquiry line provides general information and advice on the full range of benefits. It will help you with assessing eligibility for benefits and completion of benefits such as Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Credit.

Contact Freephone – 0800 022 4250
Make the Call Helpline – 0800 232 1271
Text number Minicom – 028 9031 1092 (for deaf and hard of hearing users only)

Phone Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm; Thursday 10 am to 5 pm excluding public holidays (An answer phone service is available 24 hours a day where a message can be left for a call back during office hours)
For more information go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/benefit-enquiry-line.

Bryson Energy Advice Line
As Northern Ireland’s Energy Agency, our goal is to support and motivate energy users to reduce their costs and greenhouse emissions. Over the years Bryson Energy has operated a range of fuel poverty and health related programmes such as grant administration, oil buying clubs, budgeting advice, handyperson, benefit checks and several retrofit programmes. Alongside fuel poverty focused activity Bryson Energy also assists Government meet its energy targets by promoting Energy Advice through both energy efficiency and renewable technologies.

Unit 1, Rivers Edge, 13-15 Ravenhill Road Belfast BT6 8DN
Tel: 080 0142 2865 or 028 9045 5008
Email: info@brysonenergy.org.
For more information go to www.brysonenergy.org.

Carer’s Allowance
Carers Allowance is the main benefit for carers. It is intended to replace the income you might otherwise earn from a job if you were not caring.  Contact details for the Disability and Carers Service which administers Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Credit.

Disability and Carers Service, Castle Court, Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1HR
Tel: 0800 587 0912 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm excluding public holidays)
Text number: 0800 012 1574 (for deaf and hard of hearing users only) Fax: 028 9049 0220
Email: mailto:dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk.
For more information go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/carers-allowance.

Community Advice (formerly known as Citizens Advice)
Community Advice provides free confidential advice and is open to anyone in the community. Staff are trained to advise on virtually any issue including :  welfare benefits, money and debt problems, tax, employment, consumer rights, housing, neighbourhood disputes, education and healthcare, immigration and residency queries, human rights, family and personal issues.

Dunanney Centre, Rathmullan Drive, Newtownabbey BT37 9DQ
Tel: 028 9590 6505
Email: advice@advicean.com
For more information go to http://www.communityadvicean.co.uk

Christians Against Poverty Debt Advice
Christians Against Poverty can help if you are feeling the weight of debt. You may think your situation is impossible, but there is hope. CAP’s friendly team will give you a listening ear in the privacy of your own home and provide a real solution to your debts.

They can provide a home visit, work out a realistic budget that prioritises your essential bills and can negotiate affordable payments with each creditor. CAP can help you to set up a debt management plan, walk you through insolvency options and will support you until you are debt free. All CAP’s services are given freely for everyone regardless of age, gender, faith or background.

For more information go to www.capuk.org.

Contact details :

Daniel Black, centre manager Newtownabbey
danielblack@capuk.org
07983 420018

Irene Kilpatrick, centre manager Antrim
irenekilpatrick@capuk.org
0793 824 7635

www.capdebthelp.org

 

Consumer Council
The Consumer Council provide free, independent support and advice for all consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland. We also have powers to investigate complaints about energy, water, transport and postal services and undertake research to understand local consumer issues.

The Consumer Council, Floor 3 Seatem House, 28-32 Alfred Street, Belfast BT2 8EN
Tel: 028 9025 1600
Email: info@consumercouncil.org.uk.
For more information go to www.consumercouncil.org.uk.

Disability Action
Disability Action works to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens, by supporting inclusion, influencing Government policy and changing attitudes in partnership with disabled people.

Disability Action is unique in its work, as it is the only Northern Ireland wide pan disability organisation working with disabled people with various disabilities; physical, mental, sensory, learning and hidden. Their work is important as one in five people in Northern Ireland has a disability.

They offer a range of services including Information; Policy, Employment and Training Support, Capacity Building, Training on Disability & Diversity Issues, Transport and Mobility Assessment, all aimed at improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

58 Strand Road, Derry BT48 7AJ
Tel: 028 7136 0811
Email: derry@disabilityaction.org.

Portside Business Park, 189 Airport Road West, Belfast BT3 9ED
Tel: 028 9029 7880
Email: hq@disabilityaction.org.

11 Georges Street, Dungannon BT70 1BP
Tel: 028 8775 2372
Email: dungannon@disabilityaction.org.

6 West Street, Carrickfergus BT38 7AR
Tel:  028 9336 9367
Email: carrickfergus@disabilityaction.org
For more information go to www.disabilityaction.org.

Disabled Facilities Grant
This grant is available from NI Housing Executive to help to improve the home of a person with a disability and is based on the recommendation of an Occupational Therapist, for example installing ramps, or adapting heating or lighting controls. This will not affect any benefits currently received by the applicant.  Your local Housing Executive Grants’ Office will answer your questions at any stage of the process. If you are elderly or have special needs, arrangements can be made with some independent agencies to assist you.

Tel: 034 4892 0900
For more information go to www.nihe.gov.uk/disabled_facilities_grant.

Emergency Services

N. Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS)
Provider: NI Ambulance /Fire & Rescue Service
Northern Divisional Headquarters:
Ballymena Ambulance Station, 121 – 125 Antrim Road, Ballymena BT42 2HD
Tel: 999 / 112 in emergency or Tel: 028 2563 6760  Fax: 028 7035 3697
Email: NorthDiv.Secretary@nias.hscni.net
www.nias.hscni.net

NI Fire and Rescue Service
Provider: NI Fire & Rescue Service
NIFRS Northern Area Headquarters, Ballymena

Northern Area Command,
Prevention and Protection Department,
21 Henry Street, Ballymena, BT42 3AA
E mail : peter.melarkey@nifrs.org
Tel : 028 2565 1806

www.nifrs.org

PSNI  Newtownabbey Station

Phone : 101
Email : AntrimandNewtownabbey@psni.pnn.police.uk
Opening Hours : 11am-7pm Monday to Friday
Address : 418 Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 9RT

This Local Policing Team covers the Mallusk, Doagh, Ballyrobert, Ballynure, Ballyclare West, Ballyclare East, Hightown, Glengormley, Glebe, Collinbridge, Carnmoney, Burnthill, Ballyhenry, Whitehouse, Valley, Rathcoole, O’Neill, Carnmoney Hill, Abbey, Rostulla, Mossley, Monkstown, Jordanstown, Fairview and Ballyduff areas

PSNI Antrim Station

Phone : 101
Email : AntrimandNewtownabbey@psni.pnn.police.uk
Opening Hours : 11am-7pm Monday to Friday
Address : 24 Castle Street, Antrim, BT41 4AU
This Local Policing Team covers the Stiles, Steeple, Springfarm, Greystone, Fountain Hill, Antrim Centre, Toome, Shilvodan, Randalstown, Parkgate, Cranfield, Templepatrick, Crumlin, Clady and Aldergrove areas.

BT
Tel: 0800 800 151
www.bt.com/help/home

NI Electricity Networks
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks), offer a critical care information service to customers who are dependent on life supporting electrical equipment eg Oxygen Concentrator, Personal Suction Machine, Home Dialysis, Electrical Profiling Bed, Electric Hoist, Nutrition Infusion Systems, Patient Vital Signs Monitoring Systems, Ventilator, Nebuliser, Electric Pressure Relieving Mattress, Household Lift/Stairlift or Medication Infusion Systems.

Being on the register means you will receive up to date information by phone during a power cut or a planned interruption.

To join our critical care service, please register online or contact:

NIE Networks, Critical Care Register
Freepost Nathn475 Danesfort, 120 Malone Road, Belfast, BT95BR
Tel: 0345 7643 643 to report a fault or in emergency
For more information go to www.nienetworks.co.uk/help-advice/vulnerable-customers/critical-care-register/critical-care-register.

NI Roads Division
DfI Roads, is the sole Road Authority in Northern Ireland, responsible for public roads, footways, bridges, and street lights.

Clarence Court, 10 – 18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB
Tel:  028 9054 0540 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm only)
Text phone: 028 9054 0022 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm only) (for deaf and hard of hearing users only)
Email: dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.

Report Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100 (24 hours a day)
Report a fault with your road 0300 200 7899 (24 hours a day)
www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/dfi-roads.

NI Water
NI Water offer a range of services if you have a disability, are an older person or need extra help for any other reason.  You need to join the Customer Care Register to get the extra free services you or anyone in your household would like to receive.

Westland House, 40 Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE
Tel: 0345 7440 088 Customer Care Register
Email: waterline@niwater.com
Floodline: 0300 2000 100 – Flooding Incident Line (24 hours)
For more information go to www.niwater.com.

Employers for Childcare
Employers for Childcare is an independent charity and social enterprise – 100% of the profits of our social enterprise go towards funding the work of our charity.

The charity’s services include the Family Benefits Advice Service, which provides independent financial advice and outreach to parents and employers – our helpline provides a range of free, independent and confidential advice on childcare and work-related benefits.  We also provide an outreach service to employers, parents’ and community groups where our trained advisors go out to organisations to offer one to one advice sessions.

Freephone helpline: 0800 028 3008 (Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm)
Tel: 028 9267 8200
Email: hello@employersforchildcare.org.
For more information go to www.employersforchildcare.org.

The Government has now closed the Childcare Voucher scheme to new entrants – for guidance on what financial support is available to parents, contact our Family Benefits Advice Service on 0800 028 3008

Energy Saving Trust
A leading and trusted organisation helping people save energy every day. Their experts speak with millions of householders every year, deliver first class programmes for governments and provide consultancy to UK businesses and international companies.

The UK is committed to achieving an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. To address these challenges, we all need to reduce our energy consumption and accelerate a move to sustainable, low carbon lifestyles.  Energy Saving Trust is independent and impartial so the advice they give is all about helping you.

River House, 48 High Street, Belfast, BT1 2BE
For more information go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

First Steps Women’s Centre – Benefits Advisor
Offer Benefit Checker Advice on Thursday and Friday’s and Free Confidential Counselling for both men and women within Northern Ireland

21a William Street, Dungannon BT70 1DX
Tel: 028 8772 7648
Email: fswc.gillian@gmail.com.
For more information go to www.firststepwomenscentre.com.

Improving Benefit Uptake (Social Security)
Improving the uptake of benefits and other Government supports and services by people who are entitled but not claiming is a key priority for the Department for Communities.
For more information go to http://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/benefit-uptake-programme.

Independence at Home
Independence at Home is a charity that exists to support independence at home for people with disability and long term illness. We do this by providing grants to people on the basis of need, regardless of age, gender and ethnicity, religious or cultural background.

We rely on referrals from health and social care professionals or from workers of voluntary associations, who have direct knowledge of their service users’ circumstances gained from a professional involvement in their care.

Independence at Home, 4th Floor, Congress House, 14 Lyon Road, Harrow HA1 2EN
Tel: 020 8427 7929 (Mon – Thur: 9am – 5pm)
Email: iah@independenceathome.org.uk
For more information go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/independence-at-home.

Law Centre NI
Law Centre NI offers free independent legal advice and assistance in the areas of Social Security, Employee Rights, Social Care or Immigration & Asylum eg Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

3rd Floor Middleton Building 10-12 High Street Belfast BT1 2BA
Tel: 020 9024 4401 (Advice line)
Email: admin.belfast@lawcentreni.org.
For more information go to www.lawcentreni.org.

NI Housing Executive
Offer a range of services to people living in socially rented, privately rented and owner-occupied accommodation as well as supporting and working with a number of other public bodies such as housing or benefits advice.

Tel: 034 4892 0900 (8.30am to 5.00pm)
Housing Benefit enquiries 034 4892 0902 (8.30am to 5.00pm)
Repairs 034 4892 0901 (8.30am to 5.00pm for normal repairs – 24hr service for emergencies)
Email: cookstown@nihe.gov.uk.
For more information go to www.nihe.gov.uk.

Radius Housing Floating Support Service
Available to private home owners as well as housing executive tenants, the scheme can assist those people aged 55 and over to remain in their own home for longer by providing a low level housing support service.

The service can be provided for a period up to six months and is easily accessible by applying directly to Radius. An exit plan will be developed with the service user regarding longer support needs when they are exiting the scheme. Support can include: Befriending. Advising on food preparation. Reminding and non-specialist counselling where this does not conflict with similar services provided as personal care. Assistance with the maintenance of the safety of the dwelling. Assistance with arranging minor repairs to and servicing of domestic equipment and appliances. Assistance in how to engage with individuals, professionals and other bodies with an interest in the welfare of the service user. Assistance in dealing with claims to social security benefits and other official correspondence relevant too sustaining occupancy of the dwelling. Encouraging socialising, day trips, weekly luncheon clubs, coffee mornings and a range of other group activities

Tel: 0330 123 0888
Mobile: 078 7284 1260
For more information go to www.radiushousing.org.
Facebook: @RadiusHousing
Twitter:@RadiusHousing

Rates Relief – Land & Property Services
If you are a pensioner, you may be entitled to help with your rates through the Housing Benefit, Rate Relief or Lone Pensioner Allowance schemes.  There are allowances for certain tenants and homeowners. If you want more information about help paying rates on your home, contact the LPS Outreach Officer by email.

Tel: 030 0200 7801
Email: outreach.uptake@finance-ni.gov.uk.
For more information go to www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/guide-rates/help-paying-your-rates.

Rural Support
Rural Support provides a listening and signposting service for farmers and rural families across Northern Ireland through its helpline.  We can also provide face to face support, help you source information and advice about a wide range of issues.

Everyone’s circumstances are different.  We will take time to listen carefully to your concerns and needs and we will work with you to find the best way ahead.  The types of issues that we address include financial and debt problems, inheritance issues, physical and mental health concerns, farming paperwork and bureaucracy.

Location: Estate Buildings, Dungannon Road, Cookstown BT80 9AA
Tel: 0800 138 1678 (FREEPHONE Helpline) or 028 8676 0040
Email: info@ruralsupport.org.uk.
For more information go to www.ruralsupport.org.uk

St Vincent de Paul

Provider: SVP is an international Christian voluntary membership organisation.

There are a wide range of supports we can offer you, from practical help and advice, to a friendly ear all in the strictest of confidence. The Society of St Vincent de Paul currently has eight regional offices and a number of shops. Our focus is on practical approach to dealing with poverty, alleviating its effects on individuals and families through working primarily in person-to-person contact by a unique system of family visitation and seeking to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity for all citizens.

In addition to providing direct assistance to those in need, caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating holiday homes and other social support activities, the Society promotes community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves. Any assistance offered by the Society is given in a non-judgemental spirit, based on the needs of the individual or family seeking help.

North Office: 196-200 Antrim Road, Belfast BT15 2AJ,
Tel: 028 9035 1561
Email: info@svpni.co.uk.
For more information go to www.svp.ie.

Turn 2 Us – Financial Hardship
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations.

The Benefits Calculator takes less than 10 minutes to complete and it will tell you which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to, including tax credits.

The Grants Search can help you look for funds that might be able to give you a grant or other types of help.

We also award our own grants from the Turn2us Elizabeth Finn Fund, the Turn2us Response Fund and the Turn2us Edinburgh Trust.

200 Shepherds Bush Road, Hammersmith, W6 7NL
Tel: 080 8802 2000

Age NI is a partner organisation to help people over 50 access these grants: 0808 808 7575

For more information go to www.turn2us.org.uk.

For more information about your local area, please contact Stephen, community navigator:

Tel: 078 1419 6820 or email: communitynavigator.an@ageni.org

This list is intended to act as a guide to support services available for people living in Antrim / Newtownabbey area.  Inclusion is not exhaustive and does not necessarily constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation of that organisation or service.

If you are aware of organisations/community groups that would like to be included in this directory (free of charge), please contact the community navigator.

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