Elections on Thursday 2 May

You will need photo ID to vote at a polling station. If you don’t have ID, the deadline for a free Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm Wednesday 24 April.

If you need help managing your money or debts, there are agencies who can offer you advice.

Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council have joined forces with the Money Adviser Network, and are offering support to those struggling with debt via Money Matters, and Mental Wellbeing Hampshire Money and Debt.

Citizens Advice Rushmoor

Offers free, confidential, impartial, and independent advice on managing your finances, including opening bank accounts, problems with bank accounts, benefit overpayments, rent arrears, budgeting and general debt problems.

Aldershot office

  • 39 High Street, Aldershot

Farnborough office 

  • Council Offices, Farnborough

Christians Against Poverty

Offers free help with debt problems. A debt coach will work with you to prioritise your essential bills and negotiate with your creditors. If you are in severe debt, you can get help with insolvency options.

  • Local counselling centre based at north Camp Methodist Church, Lynchford Road, Farnborough
  • Head Office Tel: 01274 760720
  • Website: Christians Against Poverty 

Help with water and energy bills

If you are struggling to pay your water and energy bills, there are various schemes that may be able to help. Find out more in Auriga Services' help with water and energy bills document.

Payday loans

Citizens Advice Rushmoor has Citizens Advice Rushmoor - payday loans on its website. This includes information on what you should expect from a payday lender and what you can do if you have a problem with a payday loan.

Wessex community bank  

A not for profit community bank for people in Hampshire and IOW, Bournemouth, Reading, Newbury, Woking, Guildford and surrounding areas.

It can help you if you are finding it difficult to get a loan or current account and therefore vulnerable to being targeted by payday lenders. It offers affordable interest rates, with no hidden fees.

It also offers a range of other accounts, including a current account with free banking, so if you go overdrawn, you won't be charged interest.

National Debtline

Free, confidential and independent telephone helpline service on debt issues. The service offers specialist advice, self-help materials and individually tailored debt management plans.

Language line, an interpreter service, is available offering professional telephone interpreters in over 100 languages to translate what you and the adviser are saying to each other.

  • Tel: 0808 8084000
  • Lines open: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm; Saturday 9.30am to 1pm
  • Website: National Debtline

Business Debtline

A free debt advice service for self-employed and small business debts.

  • Tel: 0800 1976026
  • Lines open: Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm
  • Website: Business Debtline

Online resource: Martin Lewis - money saving expert

For help with debts, budgeting advice, a useful budgeting tool and ways to make your money go further.

Money advice service

Provides clear, impartial information about UK financial services to help you manage your money better and make more informed financial service choices. The Money Advice Service was set up by the government, is funded by the UK financial services industry and is run by an independent chair and board, appointed by the UK Financial Services Authority.

  • Tel: 0300 500 5000 - calls should cost no more than 01 or 02 UK-wide calls and are included in inclusive mobile and landline minutes. You can also ask to be called back.
  • Opening times: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
  • Website: Money advice service

Step Change

Charitable organisation offering free, confidential, independent and impartial advice tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

  • Central Adviceline: 0800 138 1111
  • Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm
  • Website: Step Change

Loan shark advice service

An organisation offering confidential support and advice as soon as you contact them.

Loan sharks are illegal moneylenders who do not have a Consumer Credit Licence. You will not get into trouble with the authorities for using them; it's the loan shark breaking the law.

You should not use them, as:

  • They might pretend to be your friend at first, but can be expensive and dangerous
  • You could pay them back for years, with no dent in the original loan
  • They won't just harass you, they might target your family and friends too

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