You can get independent advice on your finances through a variety of organisations. However, to ensure the advice you receive is impartial and free of cost we recommend you contact either Sandwell Citizens Advice Bureau, the National Debt Line or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.

In addition please download a free copy of our Finding Financial Freedom booklet here.

Sandwell Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

CAB advice line: 0121 552 2022
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Help at the heart of your community

The Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent organisation and a registered charity. It provides free, confidential and impartial advice to everybody in the community regardless of race, sex, disability, sexuality or nationality.

Sandwell CAB have bureaux in five towns across the borough. These are based in: West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury, Tipton and Cradley Heath.
These bureaux act as a one-stop-shop for clients. Advisers provide up-to date advice and information using a unique electronic information system, link clients with other services and agencies, write letters and complete forms on behalf of clients. In the twelve months between April 2004 and March 2005 CAB Advisers helped almost 19,000 people, who brought over fifty thousand enquiries to the bureaux.

The problems brought to the CAB by clients are varied, covering areas such as employment, debt, housing, benefits, consumer rights, legal matters and immigration. Advisers explain to clients their options and the possible outcomes of different courses of action, encouraging clients to make their own decisions and to act on their own behalf.

The CAB Service is based on four principles. It is:

• Independent – we always act in the interests of our clients, without influence from any outside bodies.
• Impartial – we do not judge our clients or make assumptions about them. Our service is open to everyone and we treat everyone equally.
• Confidential – we won’t pass on anything a client tells us – or even that they’ve visited us – without their permission.
• Free – no-one has to pay for any part of the service we provide. The work of the CAB impacts on people’s lives in many different ways.
• Through advice, campaigns, free skills training for volunteers, empowering individuals, increasing incomes and much more.