Dudley Council Advice & Support
If you are struggling financially, Dudley Council can signpost you to a range of support and services.
Citizens Advice Dudley & Wolverhampton
Citizens Advice provides free, impartial, confidential and independent Advice, Guidance and Information on the telephone and email.
Dudley Opening times:
To resolve your advice issue in the best possible way, please consider the options below.
Call our Contact Centre for additional information and guidance, on:
- 0808 278 7919 (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 9.30am-3.30pm).
- For help claiming Universal Credit: 0800 144 8444 (Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm).
- Email: AdviceCADudleyandWolverhampton@dudleycabx.org
Call our Contact Centre for additional information and guidance.
- Telephone: 0808 278 7919 .
The future opening of our Dudley Information Hub.
Dudley House,
Stone Street,
Dudley,
DY1 1NS.
Citizens Advice are in the process of setting up a new information hub at their local office in Dudley.
Information will be updated when ready. You can view the document ‘accessing our services’ to identify which route into the organisation is most appropriate for you.
You can also visit the ‘contact us’ section on the local Citizens Advice website and click the ‘Email Advice’ link.
You can also Telephone : 0300 3309 044 (local rate applies).
Crisis and Resilience Fund
From 1 April 2026, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) will be launched in England. This is a new Government-funded programme designed to help people deal with a financial shock and prevent repeat crisis. The new fund also includes changes to Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP).
The CRF is about more than short-term help. It also aims to support people to:
- build financial stability
- develop budgeting and money management skills
- increase household income where possible
- reduce repeat crisis situations
- strengthen confidence and independence
This means that when you apply for crisis support, we may also help connect you to services that can provide longer-term support.
The CRF provides:
- quick, flexible help for a low-income household facing immediate financial hardship
- support to help prevent future crises by helping you become more financially secure
- links to services that can help with income, debt, housing and wellbeing
- better joined-up approach with partners across Dudley so you can get the right help no matter where you ask (‘no wrong door’)
What the CRF is not:
- it is not a guaranteed payment for everyone
- it is not a replacement for benefits, such as Universal Credit
- it is not a long-term income support scheme
- it cannot pay off all debts
- it is not an emergency service for life-threatening situations (call 999 in an emergency)
Support is focused on people who need it most, based on circumstances at the time.
What do we mean by ‘financial shock’?
A financial shock is when something happens that suddenly makes it hard to afford essential living costs, for example:
- a sudden loss of income or reduced working hours
- an unexpected essential bill or cost
- a delay or change to your benefits
- illness, caring responsibilities, or a family emergency
- urgent housing problems that put pressure on your finances
Find out more at Crisis and Resilience Fund
If you are part of the Armed Forces Community you can also visit Dudley’s Armed Forces Covenant Webpages
For further advice and local support you can also visit Dudley’s Cost of Living Webpages
Page updated July 2026