Blackpool Council - Advice and Support

Consumer Advice

Whether it's advice about your rights, a dispute you need assistance with or to report a scam or rogue trader, our Trading Standards advice team is here to help. We offer free, impartial and expert advice to give you the facts you need to know to enable you to deal with situations confidently, or to stand your ground against unscrupulous traders.

Advice and assistance for Blackpool residents

We are open Monday to Friday for face to face and telephone advice at Progress House, with advice surgeries, including Saturday mornings, at the following locations:

• Customer First, Corporation Street: Tuesdays 10.00am - 12.00 noon
• Citizens Advice Bureau, Whitegate Drive: Saturdays 9.30am - 12.30pm
• Age UK, Redbank Road: Every second Wednesday of the month
• Age UK, Waterloo Road: Every third Wednesday of the month 10.00am - 12.00 noon

Complete our online Consumer Advice request form for your information to be sent directly to the Consumer advice team and we will call you back.

Financial Advice

Having financial difficulties and need advice on your debt, let us see how we can help you.  Or why not join the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Credit Union and help your savings grow.

Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Credit Union

• Your local, ethical and not-for-profit Financial Co-operative.

Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Credit Union is your local, ethical and not-for-profit Financial Co-operative. It is owned and run by its members and provides services only to its members here on the Fylde Coast.

The benefits of membership are:

• Members are also shareholders and any profit is paid back to saving members as a dividend - this year 3.00% and last year 3% on savings.
• Christmas savings accounts
• Low cost affordable loans - from £200 to £15,000
• Free life protection on savings and loans (terms and conditions apply)

Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Credit Union is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority and is part of the Financial Services compensation scheme which means that your money is absolutely safe.

Saving is easy and can be done by payroll deduction (from participating employers), direct debit, direct from benefits (such as Child Benefit, DLA, Pension Credit) or at any Post Office or Pay Point outlet.

For more information or to join, visit the Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Credit Union website or telephone 01253 478827

Debt advice

• Organisations that can help you if you're in financial difficulty

Are you struggling to make ends meet?

The following organisations provide free confidential support and advice

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

Blackpool Citizens Advice offer daily drop in sessions Monday - Friday on a first-come, first-served basis.  Telephone advice is also available Monday - Saturday on 01253 308400.

CAB Debt advice guide website - Is full of useful and helpful advice on dealing with debt.

National debt line

The helpline provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. Telephone: 0800 808 4000

National debt line website - Is also full useful and helpful advice on dealing with a debt problem

Rehab 4 Addiction

Rehab 4 Addiction offers a free helpline and intervention service for people suffering from drug addiction, alcohol addiction and mental health problems.  Rehab 4 Addiction was started in 2011 and provides free help and advice.

Website: http://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/

Discretionary Support Scheme

Assistance for vulnerable people who need short term emergency support, help to become established or maintain independence in the community.

The Blackpool discretionary support scheme can provide assistance to vulnerable people who need:

• Short term emergency support
• Help to become established or maintain independence in the community

We are unable to give cash.

The scheme does not cover any of the following:

• Short term advances - If you have recently made a claim for benefit and are experiencing a period of financial need before your first payment, speak to your local Jobcentre Plus Office to see if you qualify.
• Regulated Social Fund (Funeral Payments, Sure Start Maternity Grants, Cold Weather Payments, Winter Fuel Payments and Budgeting Loans).

For more information on qualifying criteria and to find out how to apply, telephone:

Local Enquiries 0845 608 8524
National Enquiry 0845 608 8526

Blackpool Council's Discretionary Support Scheme may be able to help if you require short term emergency support, help becoming established or maintain independence in the community.