Useful contacts and specialist organisations

Step 7 is all about knowing when to get help. If you've got a problem, there are a number of organisations that can offer information and support to help you resolve it. Here we list some of them and explain what they do.

Useful contacts

Advicenow
We bring together the best law and rights information from over 200 internet providers and produce our own, easy to follow guides. You can also use our information search to find advice agencies that specialise in your problem.
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Community Legal Advice
You can use the Community Legal Advice website and helpline to find advice services and solicitors in your area. If you live on a low income or benefits, Community Legal Advice can also give you free advice over the telephone.
0845 345 4345 Open Monday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 9am-12:30pm. Calls cost from 4p a minute - or you can ask them to call you back.
See 'links to other websites' for their web-page.

Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice. Find your local CAB by visiting their website (see links to other websites on the right hand side).

Law Centres Federation
Law Centres are staffed by both solicitors and other workers who specialise in legal problems. They offer a free and independent service. You can find out if there is a Law Centre near you by visiting their website (see links to other websites).
020 7387 8570

The Law Society
The Law Society is the organisation that governs lawyers. You can search for a solicitor by area of law on the Law Society website (see links to other websites).

Specialist organisations

Some organisations specialise in giving advice and support about specific problems, or to particular groups of people. Here are some of the most popular:

Shelter offer specialist information and legal advice through their local housing aid centres and free helpline. You can use their website to learn about your housing rights and find out where your nearest centre is - follow the link on the right hand side of the page.
0808 800 4444

Consumer direct gives help and advice to consumers. Use their website to find out what your rights are (see links to other websites), or speak directly to an adviser on their helpline.
08454 04 05 06

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission provides information on rights about sex discrimination and a guide to making a complaint. Find their website in 'links to other websites'.
England: 0845 604 6610
Wales: 0845 604 8810
Scotland: 0845 604 5510

National Debtline gives free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems, as well as example letters to write to creditors and help with budgeting. Find their website in 'links to other websites'.
0808 808 4000

Youth Access is a network of services that provide advice and information (and other help) to young people. You can use their website to search for services in your area (see 'links to other websites').

Age UK (formerly Age Concern and Help the Aged) provides information and advice to older people, and their friends and relatives. You can get information and advice over the phone or use their website to find your local service (see 'links to other websites').
0800 00 99 66 7 days a week from 8am - 7pm.

The Disability Law Service provides confidential independent legal advice for disabled adults, their families and carers.
020 7791 9800 Monday to Friday 10.00am - 1pm, 2.00pm - 5pm
See 'links to other websites' for their web-page.

Working Families has a helpline that provides advice on employment rights, Tax Credits and benefits to low income families. Call free on 0800 013 0313 Monday and Tuesday -10am-4pm, Thursday and Friday 10am-1pm
See 'links to other websites' for their web-page.

Gingerbread has a helpline for single parents. Call free on 0808 802 0925 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, Wednesday 9am - 8pm.
See 'links to other websites' for their web-page.

March 2010