Finding Debt Advice
However serious the problem seems to be - don't panic. One reason for not panicking is that there is a lot of free help and advice available. The important thing is to access that advice as soon as possible as the problems start to emerge. It is important to seek advice early for two reasons:
- There is often awaiting list for free, detailed advice on debt so the sooner you get on the list the better.
- The quicker you get advice and put it into practice, the easier the problems will be to solve.
Places to go for Advice and Help
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABs) and Local Advice Centres
Most large towns and cities have either a Citizens Advice Bureau or an Independent Advice Centre. You will get a similar range of advice from either of these. To contact them look up in the Yellow Pages under Counselling and Advice. Avoid the private counsellors or private debt counselling companies you see listed. They are there to make money out of you rather than to help you.
CABs and Local Advice Centres not only give advice themselves, they may also refer you to specialised services when you need those services. They will get you on the list for specialised free debt counselling. They will help you access half an hour of free legal advice including advice on whether you might be entitled to Legal Aid (now called help from the Community Legal Service Fund). Even if you don't qualify for more than the initial half hour of free legal advice, the Advice Centre will tell you which solicitors specialise in debt problems or any special type of problem you have. They may refer you to the local Trading Standards Department if your debts have arisen from dodgy traders or credit agreements.
The key thing they will do is to listen to your problem. They will try to sort it out there and then if that is possible (though it may not be in debt cases). They may contact creditors on your behalf, e.g. utility companies, to see if they can get the pressure taken off while a solution is found.
Some of the staff are full-time paid staff. Others are volunteers but all are very well trained and the standard of advice they give is high - frequently checked and audited by independent bodies. All provide absolute confidentiality about your affairs. Sometimes Advice Centres are provided by local authorities, particularly Advice Centres specialising in financial problems. These are also friendly, confidential and efficient.
Other sources of advice
There are also a number of charities specialising in offering advice on debt. Perhaps the best known of these is The National Debtline Service. It provides a National Telephone Helpline for people with debt problems. It also provides a range of very useful pamphlets and booklets on particular subjects, such as County Court Procedures, Bankruptcy and Harassment.
If you have difficulty in finding a nearby Citizens Advice Bureau or other Advice Centre, contact:
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
115-123 Pentonville Road London N1 9LZ
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Advice UK
12th Floor
London Bridge House 25 London Bridge Street London SE1 9ST
Tel: 020 7407 4070
www.adviceuk.org.uk
National Debtline
The Arch
48-52 Floodgate Street Digbeth
Birmingham B19 3RL
Freephone helpline: 0808 8084000
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Playpan
Kempton House
Dysart Road Grantham
Lincolnshire NG31 7LE
Tel: 0800 716239
www.fcl.org.uk
Remember none of these organisations can solve your problem for you. Only you can do that. But they can give you guidance and reassurance about the best way to go about solving the problem.
