Community Legal Advice (CLA) has produced a set of films that give advice in British Sign Language (BSL). The films are aimed at people who have large debts, have been made redundant or are at risk of losing their home. The advice is in BSL, but a voiceover has been added. - Read more

Directgov is the website of the UK government for its citizens, providing information and online services for the public all in one place. Directgov aims to provide easy access to government information and services. It does this by working closely with ministerial departments and non-departmental public bodies to collate key information all in one place. Directgov works closely with government departments and non-departmental public bodies to provide a comprehensive and accessible service for citizens. - Read more

Refuge is a charity which helps women in domestic violence situations. They have produced a new financial guide to help women. Who are in financial difficulties because of domestic violence, or who are experiencing financial abuse. Financial abuse takes many forms, from a man stopping his partner from working, to limiting her spending or putting his debts in her name. - Read more

The effects of the recession can be devastating for you and your family. You may lose your job or be asked to go on short-time working. You may be struggling to keep your home. Older people living on their savings have seen prices soar whilst their income decreases. Your debt problems may seem out of control. But however the economic situation may be affecting you, there are ways to help yourself and there are organisations that can help you cope if you are struggling. Here are some simple tips to help you get on top of things. - Read more

If you're having problems paying for your child's school uniform, you might get a grant from your local authority. However, some local authorities refuse to make grants for school clothing. Last year, a Citizens Advice Bureau helped one of their clients to successfully challenge Lancashire County Council after it refused to consider her request for a grant. Now Citizens Advice is campaigning to encourage more parents to challenge those local authorities. - Read more

If you're struggling to keep warm this winter, this is a reminder that most fuel companies offer reduced rates to low-income or vulnerable customers, such as older people, or people with long-term ill health. These reduced rates called social tariffs. Each company has its own set of rules about who qualifies for the reduced rates. For more information, contact your fuel supplier and ask for details of their social tariffs. - Read more

The rules about help with housing costs for owner occupiers on benefits have changed. From 5 January, new claimants will only have to wait 13 weeks before SMI is paid. The 13 week period applies not just to new claimants but to people who have already made a claim for SMI and who previously had to wait for 26 or 39 weeks, depending on their circumstances. A new two-year time limit on getting SMI has been introduced but only for new and some repeat income-based JSA cases. - Read more

With the recession, more and more people are being made redundant. If this happens to you, it can be an extremely difficult time for you and your family. You may have rights if you are made redundant - for example, your employers have to select people for redundancy fairly. They can't just make you redundant because they don't like you. If you're made redundant, you may have further rights, for example, notice of your redundancy and redundancy pay. - Read more

There have been a number of recent announcements with the aim of helping homeowners who are at risk of being evicted because of mortgage arrears. This is called repossession. In the pre-budget report, it was confirmed that some mortgage lenders will not start court action to repossess homeowners for at least three months. This is so that borrowers and lenders can have time to explore other alternatives. - Read more

On 1 October 2008, a new government scheme was introduced for people suffering from the asbestos related disease, diffuse mesothelioma. Under certain circumstances, people who have the disease may be entitled to a one off lump sum payment. If you are unable to make a claim under the 1979 Pneumoconiosis Act, have not received payment in respect of the disease from an employer, a civil claim or elsewhere and are not entitled to compensation from a Ministry of Defence scheme, you can claim a one off lump sum payment. - Read more

3.9 million children one in three - are currently living in poverty in the UK, one of the highest rates in the industrialised world. This is a shocking figure given the wealth of our nation. Poverty can have a profound impact on the child, their family, and the rest of society. It often sets in motion a deepening spiral of social exclusion, creating problems in education, employment, mental and physical health and social interaction. - Read more