Thursday, 19 March 2009

What Help Is Available To You If You Are In Debt?

By Mr Tootle

Monetary predicaments can come up rapidly, and can be very demanding. The major hitch is that we usually don't know who to get guidance from when we get into debt. This article is to present you with the basic information about the options you have when you are facing difficulties such as debt. Thankfully, there are a number of organisations nation-wide that lend a hand to people who have monetary concerns.

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service: This is a registered charitable trust that offers free guidance to people who are facing monetary challenges. Their guidance is autonomous, fair, as well as practical. You can call 0800 138 1111 to have a discussion with a counsellor who will carry out an evaluation of your monetary state, and will either offer you with emergency help, self-help materials, or call you in for an interview. The interview will either be phone based or in person and they will send you introductory information in advance.

They will completely review your debt and income and give a recommendation of what you should do. They will prioritise your basic living expenditure, priority debts, and after this review whether you have money left over to pay to the other creditors. If you do, they will call these and set-up interest freezes as well as talk creditors into accepting a longer repayment timeline.

There is also a national telephone helpline, called National Debtline, which is available to people in England, Wales, and Scotland. The service is free of charge, as well as autonomous. They will assure you of discretion as well. After your phone call, they will follow up with free informtion that can help you. They can also help you set up a management plan for your debt.

The third organisation is Payplan, which is one of the UK's top debt management companies. They help people who have trouble managing debt, and will also work in partnership with the National Debtline. They give a free debt management service, and aspire to assist people set up and follow a repayment plan. They are funded by the credit industry, who wants all people to have access to complimentary guidance on how to manage debts.

They will do a full appraisal of your funds, and then approach your creditors and discover ways to work out new repayment plans. You will then pay Payplan monthly, and they will re-direct these payments to your creditors. All the money you pay them is used to pay off your debt and they will allocate a case officer to you who will assist you in case you are having trouble with anything. You can call them at 0800 085 4298.

The Citizens Advice is a complimentary information and recommendation service that aids people with legal and financial issues. Generally their advisors are skilled volunteers and work out over 5.6 million cases a year.

Before meeting them, gather all your documentations including any court papers and information about your earnings and expenses. You can get a number for The Citizens Advice through your telephone directory.

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