Get help to deal with debt or money problems
If you are worrying about debts, wondering whether you are entitled to claim certain benefits or finding it difficult to make ends meet, then help is at hand. Free, confidential debt advice and money guidance services are available across the region to help you understand your options and start to deal with your debt or money problems. The website for your local credit union may also have a page of ‘Useful Links’ which will direct you to other advice services in your local area.
Click here to find your local credit union
Other sources of help and information include:
Northern Debt Line
If you live or work in the North East and Cumbria, specialist Debt Advice is available by calling the Northern Debt Line on 0300 3333 445.
Citizens Advice Bureaux and DAWN Advice work together to provide this free, confidential and independent advice service.
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) provide free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,000 locations including in bureaux, GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts.
Advice is available face-to-face and by telephone. Most bureaux offer home visits and some also provide email advice.
To find your nearest CAB, click on the following link http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cabdir.ihtml
DAWN Advice
As almost anyone can find themselves in debt, DAWN Advice offers a free and confidential Debt Advice service for families and individuals. Whether you have one debt or many, small or large, DAWN Advice can help you deal with the situation.
Advice is available by telephone on 0845 345 4 345 or 0300 3333 345.
For more information about the debt advice services available from DAWN Advice click on the following link http://www.dawnadvice.org.uk/legal-advice/debt.aspx
NHS credit crunch help
If you're feeling stressed because of job insecurity, redundancy, debt or financial problems, don't wait for things to get really bad before you seek help.
Find information on www.nhs.uk
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) is a national debt charity that gives free, impartial and realistic debt advice to people worried about their level of debt.
Through its free national telephone service, ten regional centres and online debt counselling service - CCCS Debt Remedy - the charity is able to help people with debt problems wherever they live.
Based on a proven and successful formula, this specialist advisory service has already helped thousands of people in the UK by providing counselling on personal budgeting, advice on the wise use of credit and, where appropriate, managing achievable plans to repay debts.
The CCCS free phone helpline 0800 138 1111 is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.
Its online counselling tool CCCS Debt Remedy is available 24 hours a day to provide an instant, anonymous assessment of your situation and free debt advice tailored to your particular needs.
Payplan
Payplan is the UK's largest provider of free debt solutions, including free debt management plans and Individual Voluntary Arrangements or IVAs.
Payplan takes a holistic approach to solving people’s financial problems. Payplan offers free debt solutions, help to reduce everyday living costs and protect against unexpected costs. Payplan strives to improve the quality of free debt advice and help everyone to become debt-free and stay that way, regardless of personal circumstances.
The telephone number is 0800 716239 and phone lines are open from 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.
Turn2us
Turn2us helps people to access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other help.
This free, accessible website has been designed to help you find appropriate sources of financial support, quickly and easily, based on your particular needs and circumstances.
Stop Loan Sharks / National Illegal Money Lending Team
Have you been approached by a loan shark?
Lending money without a licence is illegal. If you suspect someone is a loan shark you should report them IN CONFIDENCE, either by phone, by text/SMS or via email.
Phone 0300 555 2222 (local call rate, including inclusive mobile minutes)
Text/SMS Text loan shark and your message to 60003
Email Send an email to reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
National Debtline
This helpline provides free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
Call 0808 808 4000 Monday to Friday 9am-9pm and Saturday 9.30am-1pm or email National Debtline for advice.
