Debt Advice

Follow the steps below to help deal with your debts:

For further assistance with managing your debts-you can pick up a copy of Ealing Homes Self Help money Advice Pack from your Area Office.
It is essential you seek advice if either a) any debt was taken out in joint names, or b) you did not sign an agreement when taking out the credit (for example, catalogues). This is because you may need advice to check whether indeed you are liable for the debt.

Once debts start to mount there is a process that you will need to go through in order for you to regain control of your financial situation. The fact that you have acknowledged there is a problem is a good starting point but there are a few important things of which you need to be aware:

· Always keep your creditors informed about what is happening
· Any offer of payments you make must realistically be what you can afford
· All your debts will need to be dealt with together
· You must make the payments regularly, not every now and again.

What you need to do:
Step 1: Work out what money you have coming in and how much you need to live on
Step 2: Make a list of all the people you owe money to and how much
Step 3: Sort out which debts need to be given priority and how much you can afford to give those creditors
Step 4: Offer your other Creditors a percentage of any further available income, ie: the biggest sum to the Creditor you owe the most.

Loan sharks
All credit lenders must be legally licensed; a lender who is not, and who ignores the rest of the rules, is often referred to as a ‘loan shark’.
No matter how bad your debts seem, never borrow from an unlicensed lender. They may demand extortionate payments, randomly increase the debt and enforce payment by illegal means, including threats of violence.
It will be impossible to negotiate with a loan shark – seek advice if you are being harassed.
To discuss your rent arrears and obtain advice on dealing with debt, call your local Area Housing Office.
From August 2008, your Housing Officer will be also be able to refer you to an independent Money Advisor based with the London Borough of Ealing’s Housing Benefits Department.
Contact your Housing Officer for more details:
West Area: 020 8825 8833
East Area: 020 8825 8822

Useful Contacts
Age Concern - 020 8579 7342
Law For All - 020 8600 3100
Child Benefit Office - 0845 302 1444
Child Support Agency - 0845 713 3133
Citizens Advice Bureau - 0870 1264037
Consumer Credit Counselling Service - 0800 1381111
Council of Mortgage Lenders - 020 7437 0075
Council Tax enquiries - 020 8825 5000
Disability Benefits enquiry line - 0800 882200
Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance Helpline - 0845 712 3456
Energywatch - 0845 906 0708
Housing Benefit - 020 8825 7000
Jobcentre Plus - 0845 377 1000
National Debtline - 0808 808 4000
Pension Credit Claim line - 0800 991234
Tax Credits Helpline - 0845 300 3900
TV Licensing - 08457 289289

Chas Central London
Tel No: 0207 723 5928 Fax: 0207 723 1686
Email: advice@chascl.org.uk
CHAS CL Christ Church House 19/21 Shroton Street London, NW1 6UG
Debt Counselling Service – Housing & Money Advice.

Ealing Direct
Tel: 020 8840 2356 Fax: 020 85744 South Ealing Road, Ealing,London, W5 4QA
Offer clients support in employing their own carers and dealing with the associated paperwork
Eligibility: Aged 65 or over, mental health needs, those learning disabilities, of those parents responsible for a child with a disability.

Now let's talk money
The ‘now let’s talk money’ campaign offers a free phone service, provided by the Government, to help people on low incomes. When you call, you’ll learn where to go for affordable credit, information about banking, or free face-to-face money and debt advice. The organisations you’re referred to will keep everything you say private, and no one will judge you – they just want to help. The number to ring is 0800 012 1656 and calls are free unless made from a mobile phone. More information can be found on their website.

Credit Union Solutions
Credit unions are community based, not-for-profit financial co-operatives owned and controlled by their members. They offer savings and loans at low interest rates.

Credit unions are regulated by the Financial Services Authority, and money saved in a credit union is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme on the same basis as it would be if it was held in a bank or building society.

Visit Credit Union Solutions for more information.