GREENWICH COUNCIL

If you have a problem about housing, social services, schools, planning, traffic, parking, rubbish collection or similar issues, then these are local council issues and are best dealt with by your locally elected councillor. To find out who represents you in your ward, click here.

Greenwich Council’s website has all the information you need about local authority issues, from queries about street cleaning to what events the Council is holding. You can visit the website by clicking here or you can call the switchboard 24/7 on 020 8854 8888.

GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES

The DirectGov website has everything you need to know about central government issues, including motoring, childcare, student loans, employment, benefits and taxes. To access this website click here.

LEGAL AND GENERAL ADVICE

Greenwich Citizens’ Advice Bureau offers free and impartial general advice ranging from benefits, debt and employment. You can visit their website by clicking here or you can give them a call on 08451 20 29 31.

Greenwich Community Law Centre provides advice about employment, equalities, debt, housing, immigration and welfare benefits. You can call them on 020 8305 3350

MONEY ADVICE

For advice on debt and money problems call the Greenwich Money Advice debtline on 020 8317 3342.

You can also contact Meridian Money Advice Service for free, confidential debt and welfare benefits advice, credit debts, County Court action, mortgage, rent and council tax. Call 020 8309 8646 to arrange an appointment.

Visit the National Debtline website or give them a call on 0808 808 4000.

PRIVATE SOLICITORS

If you wish to approach a private solicitor for advice and are on a low income, you may be able to get help with your legal costs.

You can get a list of solicitors in your area by checking the Community Legal Advice website or by telephoning 0845 345 4345.

IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM

For advice about immigration or asylum issues, visit the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner website.

New arrivals in the UK who live, work or study in Greenwich can seek advice and information from the South East London Migrant Advisory Service. The service is for migrants who have arrived in the country within the last ten years, including migrants with refugee status, people with exceptional leave to remain and asylum seekers. To qualify for advice, you must live, work or study within the borough of Greenwich. Call 08451 20 29 31 for telephone advice or to make an appointment.

EMPLOYMENT

For help and advice on job hunting, extra support and making or maintaining a benefit claim, visit the Jobcentre Plus website or call your local branch (Woolwich) on 020 8271 5600.

For people aged 13-19, Connexions offers advice on education and careers by phone, online or face-to-face from a local Connexions provider.
Call 080 800 13 2 19 or visit the website.

TAX CREDITS

If you are responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit. If you work, but earn low wages, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit. If you work more than 16 hours a week, you could get Working Tax Credit as well. Call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit the website.

PENSIONERS

If you are 60 or over you may be entitled to Pension Credit. Pension Credit guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of at least £130.00 a week for single people or £189.35 a week for couples. You can now claim Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in one call, with no need to fill in any forms. To apply call 0800 99 1234.

You could get up to £250 in Winter Fuel Payments if you are aged 60-79 or up to £400 if you are aged 80 or over. For more information call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 151 515.

SOUTH EAST LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

South East London Chamber of Commerce is a thriving organisation made up of men and women from businesses of all sizes throughout the boroughs of Greenwich, Bexley, Lewisham and Bromley.  The Chamber's monthly networking meetings are the envy of many other organisations with attendance usually well in excess of a hundred, held in attractive venues throughout the four boroughs; and where business can be seen and heard to be done between members.