This year Debt Awareness Week is taking place between 24th – 30th March. Within this story, we share advice and information about debt and how we can support you.
At Plymouth Community Homes, we have a dedicated team of Financial Inclusion Officers - Michelle, Emily, Lisa and Jo. They work to support our residents with advice and support on managing debt, claiming benefits, and budgeting advice. They are qualified Debt Advisors and are here to help.
What help is available if I am in debt?
The first step is to ask for help and seek support. Help and support is available within our Income Recovery & Financial Inclusion Team who can be contacted on 0800 028 0350, where you’ll be put in touch with our Financial Inclusion Team.
Our officers are available to visit residents at home or appointments are available at our head office. At your first appointment you will be asked a lot of personal questions around your income and expenditure, but this is so that we can work with you to work out a plan of how best to help you.
Independent and free debt advice is also available from:
- Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) Plymouth - 08082787910. Plymouth CAB also run several advice drop-in services at various locations across the city. Check out their calendar on their website.
- Advice Plymouth also hold a drop-in Service at Ernest English House. More information about this service can be found on their website.
- StepChange- 08001381111. Information can be found on their website: StepChange Debt Charity. Free Expert Debt Help & Advice
- National Debtline 08088084000. Information can be found on their website: Free Debt Support | National Debtline
I’ve seen adverts on social media offering help with debt and was considering contacting those firms, would you recommend it?
It’s great that you are thinking about taking action towards tackling your debt. Often taking that first step is the most difficult.
However, we would not recommend taking advice from companies that are using social media to advertise their services. You may not get the best advice, or the best option to help you tackle your debt. You might find that you will end up paying significant fees to the company, sometimes thousands of pounds.
Instead, make sure that you contact us - or one of the organisations above that are free and independent - so you will not be charged any fees, and you will have an assurance that they will consider the best option for you.
I’d like to not get into debt if I can help it. Is there anything I can do?
One thing that could help is trying to put a little bit of money back each month into a savings account for those unexpected emergencies. For example, this might help to prevent the need for debt if you require to replace any essential appliances like your cooker or furniture items such as beds.
You might qualify for a Help to Save account from the Government if you are in receipt of Universal Credit and are working. The Help to Save account provides a bonus for those who regularly save over a 2 – 4-year period. More details about how the account works and eligibility requirements can be found here.
Any further advice?
The most important thing that you can do is to reach out to someone and ask for help. All free, independent debt advice services will do their best to find a solution working alongside you.
No matter how bad things may seem there is always something that can be done to help.
