We can help you with a wide range of issues and concerns ranging from creditor negotiations to helping you complete court forms.
You can access help with basic money advice via our generalist advice service. You will be seen by a fully trained volunteer advisor. See our Home page for opening times. If you have a more complex enquiry and would like an appointment to see a Money Advice specialist, contact our administrator on 01273 733390 ext 29.
To find out if you are eligible for specialist assistance, you can check the Community Legal Services online calculator at www.clsdirect.org.uk . Eligibility will variously depend on your income, capital and complexity of your case.
If you have an appointment to see a specialist you must bring proof of income dated within the last month otherwise you will be turned away. Our specialist services are in great demand, if for any reason you cannot attend, please ring our administrator as early as possible on 01273 733390 ext 29 so that we can offer an appointment to someone else.
We can help you draw up a financial statement which will enable you to manage your money. A comprehensive budgeting tool is available on the Money Saving Expert website together with top tips on making your money go further. If you are in receipt of benefits, a simplified one page budget sheet can be downloaded from the British Bankers association website at www.bba.org.uk .
If, after meeting your essential household expenditure, you have surplus available income or savings, we can help you negotiate with your creditors so that payments offered are affordable. If you have non-priority creditors ( such as unsecured personal loans, credit cards and catalogue debts), we can advise you on other options that may be available to you depending on your circumstances. Options could include Bankruptcy, Administration Orders, IVA's, pro-rata re-payments or token offers. Information on these options is available from the National Debt Line
Things like Council Tax arrears, rent/mortgage/secured loan arrears, magistrates fines, gas/electricity arrears are all priority debts. We will help you deal with these debts first because the consequences of non-payment can be severe.
