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Further advice

Find out how to get support from advisors such as Citizens Advice LeicesterShire, Jobcentre and Community Advice and Law Service.

Where can I go for help and advice? 

Citizens Advice LeicesterShire 

Free, independent and confidential advice on debt and budgeting, housing, employment, family issues, immigration and community care. 

There are a number of ways to get advice. 

You can get general advice over the phone from 9am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday. You can call the free phone number on 0808 278 7970.

Contact an advisor online through the Citizens Advice LeicesterShire website. 

If you want to make a new claim for Universal Credit call the Help to Claim line on 0800 144 8444. 

Help from the Jobcentre

The main benefit for people who are out of work or on low incomes is Universal Credit. This is a government benefit which you apply for online. It is managed through the local Jobcentre. 

You may be able to get advance payments while you wait for your full Universal Credit claim to be paid. You must pay advance payments back over up to 24 months. You can also ask the JobCentre about other financial help such as the flexible support fund to help you attend interviews and get into work, a budgeting advance (which you’d need to pay back) or a hardship payment if your claim is sanctioned or suspended.

Community Advice and Law Service 

Free, independent and confidential support for people with specialist welfare benefits, debt and housing issues. 

You can get advice over the phone on 0116 242 1120, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays. 

Contact an advisor online by visiting the Community Advice and Law Service website.

Advice for service providers 

Social Welfare Advice Partnership (SWAP) 

We host a forum for organisations that offer advice in Leicester. SWAP aims to allow regular communication between advice providers. Member of the group discuss any information, issues or future changes for Leicester's advice services. The group is important to us because members work closely with the public and it helps us to understand how local and national changes impact on you and your communities. Email us if you would like your organisation to join SWAP.