Links

Useful links to benefits calculator, information on grants and other services sites

NIdirect

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/

NIDirect is the official Government website for Northern Ireland citizens, providing a single point of access to public sector information and services.

Money Advice Service - Get a Free Financial Healthcheck

Whatever the situation with your finances, it’s good to know where you stand and that you are making the most of what you have. The health check, a new online money planner from the Money Advice Service, is for everyone, and most of all, it's free. Click on the link below to take the healthcheck now:

http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/healthcheck?utm_source=BeatRecExt&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=RDN-SMu

Encyclopedia of Rights

http://www.lawcentreni.org/EoR/

The Law Centre NI’s Encyclopedia of Rights covers

-          the main benefits and tax credits,

-          rights in community care and long term care

-          rights of employees

-          immigration and marriage / civil partnership / durable relationships.

Help with Tax Problems

http://taxaid.org.uk/

Tax Aid are a UK charity providing free tax advice to people who cannot afford to pay a professional adviser.

Turn2us

http://www.turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us helps people access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other financial help

Young People's Learning Agency

http://ypla.gov.uk/

Information on grants, awards and loans for young people wishing to pursue further and higher study

Libraries NI

www.librariesni.org.uk

Information on joining the library, using our many free library services including computers with Internet access, free Online Library resources and our extensive range of books, audio books, DVDs and CDs available for loan. Also information on free library events for all ages.

BT

http://www.bt.com/includingyou/other-products-services-bt-basic.html

Information on BT Basic, a no-frills, low-cost telephone service. 'If you're on a low income, BT Basic lets you make and receive calls – and helps you manage how much you spend.' Click the link to read more

NHS Credit Crunch Stressline
 
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Onabudget/Pages/Creditcrunchstresshelp.aspx
 
Tel: 0800 100 900
 
The Credit Crunch Stressline offers counseling and expert advice to people who are feeling stressed because of job insecurity, redundancy, debt or financial problems.

The helpline is open daily from 8 am – 10 pm.
 
Queen's Students' Union Money Management Adviser
 
Contact Debbie Forsey, Money Management Adviser
 
E-Mail: d.forsey@qub.ac.uk  Tel: 02890971166
 
Debbie advises students on debt, this includes, overdrafts, credit cards, arrears of payments, budgeting, negotiating with creditors, consumer problems and any other debt issues
 
Visit this link for further info: http://www.qubsu.org/advice.asp
 
Cut the cost of commuting

Car Share Northern Ireland is absolutely free to use. Whether you are a driver, a passenger or simply interested in finding an alternative way to get about, then this is the site for you.

http://www.carshareni.com/Default.asp?uxi=&cr=check
 
Could you be sitting on a small fortune? 
 
There is £12 million in forgotten bank accounts in Northern Ireland and £6 million in forgotten Ulster Savings Certificates. To find out if any of it belongs to you visit www.mylostaccount.org.uk for bank and building society accounts and www.dfpni.gov.uk for Ulster Savings Certificates.
 
Debt Test.

Loans, credit cards, mortgage payments, bills – should you be worried about what you owe? The FSA Money Made Clear Debt test will help you to find out how likely you are to have problems with your borrowing over the next year or so.

Just answer a few simple questions about you and your finances, and it will

 Have you been affected by Benefit Cuts

Advice NI is conducting a survey ino the effects of benefit cuts on those reliant on the Social Security system. To complete the survey please click on this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2RYWQYS

Counselling and Psychotherapy Directory

This website provide the UK with a huge counselling support network, enabling those in distress to find a counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs. This is a free, confidential service that will hopefully encourage those in distress to seek help www.counselling-directory.org.uk

Help with Depression

Lifeline

Lifeline provides immediate help over the phone 24 hours a day for anyone in distress or despair. Face to face counselling and other therapies are also provided. 0808 808 8000

Aware Defeat Depression

Aware supports all those in Northern Ireland affected by depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression). www.aware-ni.org