Money troubles

If you find youself getting behind with rent and bill payments don't ignore the problem and pretend it's not happening. There's a lot of help and advice  to get you back on track.    

Tips to remember

• Don’t ignore the problem - it won’t go away

•  Talk to us – we can offer advice and support

•  Read all our letters and answer our phone calls

•  Make a budget and see where you can make savings

•  Talk to the people you owe money to. Some companies will let you pay off debts in small amounts

•  Don’t borrow from ‘loan sharks’. They’re unlicensed money lenders who charge very high interest rates and sometimes use threats and violence to frighten people who can’t pay back their loan 

•  Find out if you can claim extra benefits.    

Types of debt

There are two kinds of debts:

Bills that should be paid first (priority debts) 

These are your rent as you could loose your home if you don’t pay it and your council tax, as you could go to prison. Other priority debts are court fines, child maintenance and water arrears.

Bills you should pay next (non priority debts)

These are things like your mobile phone and Sky contracts. If you don’t pay these, you might end up with no phone or a County Court Judgement, but you can’t go to prison for this sort of debt.

Help and advice

Our debt and benefits advisor can give help and advice on money matters, including making a benefits claim or paying off debts. Anything you tell us will be kept confidential