Citizens Advice — Birmingham: free advice for families going through separation and court

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

When a relationship breaks down, the problems rarely arrive one at a time — money, housing, benefits and children all come at once. Citizens Advice Birmingham (formally Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau Service Ltd) is an independent local charity that gives free, confidential and impartial advice to people across the city. This page is about the Birmingham service, verified against the charity's official website (bcabs.org.uk) and the national Citizens Advice local-office listing on 2026-08-27. It is general information, not legal advice — always confirm current opening times directly with the charity before relying on them.

What this service is

Citizens Advice Birmingham is a member of the national Citizens Advice network, run as a local registered charity (charity no. 519639, company 2202427, FCA-regulated FRN 617509). Its trained advisers can:

Give advice on welfare benefits, debt, money, housing, employment, discrimination, consumer issues and family matters — including divorce and separation, arrangements for children and childcare.
Run a telephone assessment interview as the first point of contact, then book you through to a specialist adviser (for example debt or welfare benefits) where your problem needs in-depth help.
Point you to the national Citizens Advice family guidance on separating, sorting out money, making child arrangements and dealing with domestic abuse.
Operate the Citizens Advice Consumer Service line (0808 223 1133) for England consumer problems.

Important: Citizens Advice gives advice and information — it does not act as your solicitor or represent you in court hearings. For free practical support at the Birmingham courthouse itself, see our page on Support Through Court — Birmingham.

Who it helps

Anyone who lives in Birmingham — the 0808 278 7990 Adviceline serves Birmingham residents.
People facing separation or divorce who need to understand the benefits, debt, housing and money consequences — often the practical issues a family court expects you to have a plan for.
People who cannot afford a lawyer — there is no means test for first-stage telephone advice, and the service is free.
Family court users generally: Citizens Advice is the standard signpost for help with the paperwork problems that surround a family case.

How to use it (steps)

1. Call the Telephone Advice Line on 0808 278 7990 — free from all landlines and mobiles, Monday to Friday, 9.30am–4.30pm (closed bank holidays). This is the main access route. 2. Expect a short assessment interview — the adviser takes details and gives initial guidance on the spot. 3. If you need in-depth help (for example debt or welfare benefits), the telephone team will book you an appointment with a specialist adviser — contact the service to find out the options for visiting an office or outreach location. 4. Or use digital routes — the national website at citizensadvice.org.uk offers online advice, webchat and email for many problem types, including family. 5. Do NOT turn up at the Waterloo Street office — it is a head/admin office only, no advice given there and no personal callers. Access is by phone, online, or via booked appointments and outreach locations. 6. Bring your paperwork to any booked appointment — benefit letters, court orders, bank statements, correspondence — so the adviser can give concrete advice rather than generalities.

Contact & location (verified)

These details are published on the charity's official website and the national Citizens Advice local-office page (verified 2026-08-27):

Registered office: First Floor, Wellington House, 31–34 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5TJ — admin/head office only; no advice at this address and no personal callers.
Telephone Advice Line (Birmingham): 0808 278 7990, Monday–Friday 9.30am–4.30pm (free from landlines and mobiles; closed bank holidays).
Citizens Advice Consumer Service: 0808 223 1133, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm (free).
Textphone (Deaf/hard of hearing): 18001 03444 111445.
Email: enquiries@bcabs.cabnet.org.uk (for administration — for advice, use the Adviceline or the website).
Outreach locations: the national listing names community venues including libraries and other neighbourhood sites (e.g. Birchfield, Kings Heath, Small Heath and South Yardley libraries) — always confirm current sessions by phone before travelling.
Status: Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau Service Ltd — registered charity 519639, company 2202427, FCA-regulated (FRN 617509).

Costs (honest)

The service is free. Advice is free, independent, confidential and impartial — core Citizens Advice network principles, and the 0808 Adviceline numbers are free from all landlines and mobiles.
There is no means test for first-stage telephone advice.
The charity is funded by donors and funders — it does not charge clients for advice.
Watch out for anyone charging for "advice" connected to your court case — genuine Citizens Advice help is free. Verify through the official sites linked below.
If your case needs a solicitor, that cost sits outside this service. See our legal aid guide for help funding representation.

How it fits your court case

Before applying to court: advisers can help you sort the practical side — benefits after separation, rent/mortgage arrears, debt — which strengthens your position and your paperwork. Use the national family guidance on making arrangements for children and our own preparing for a hearing guide.
During the case: pair free advice from Citizens Advice Birmingham with court-day support from Support Through Court — Birmingham — the two charities do different jobs.
After a hearing: if an order affects your money, benefits or housing, advisers can help you work out the next step or challenge wrong benefits decisions.
It complements, not replaces, legal help: Citizens Advice explains rights and options; it cannot represent you or tell you what to argue in a family case. A McKenzie friend may fill that gap.
Domestic abuse: the national family guidance includes gender violence routes (safety planning and legal options) — raise it in your assessment interview and they will route you to specialist help.

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Birmingham, HMCTS, or gov.uk. Service details above are sourced from the charity's official website (bcabs.org.uk), the national Citizens Advice website, and the Charity Commission register, verified on 2026-08-27; opening times and service arrangements can change, so always confirm directly with the charity before relying on them. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Nothing on this page is an endorsement of any legal service, and Citizens Advice does not endorse this site.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.