We have professional debt advice officers who can provide free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and support.
This service is for people who have more than one debt.
How can the debt advice officers help me?
When you first approach the service we will check to see if any debts require urgent action, eg possible eviction or house repossession, court summons or other legal action.
Normally these will be dealt with immediately.
Your financial situation will then be reviewed, looking at income, essential expenditure and debt.
We will advise on:
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what options you have
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what creditors can and cannot do
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benefits and tax credits or other ways of increasing your income
We take into account your needs, those of your family as well as the requirements of your creditors.
No action will be taken without your consent and you will be kept up to date on the progress of your case.
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What are my options?
The debt advice officer will outline all of your options in greater detail, but your options may include:
Reduced payments
If you have income left after paying your housing costs, fuel and food, we can contact your creditors with a Financial Statement offering affordable repayments.
Debt Payment Plan (Debt Arrangement Scheme)
The Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a debt management tool introduced by the Scottish Executive. Our service is free but some money advisers may charge you for their services.
DAS can help you pay your debts in a managed way, without you having to worry about being pressurised by creditors, which could lead to you losing your home.
Trust deed
These are more formal arrangements that require a reasonable amount of available income or assets that can be sold to finance an offer to your creditors.
As a rule the Trust Deed will become protected by law. This means creditors cannot start any action against you during the period for which it lasts. This is usually three years, after which you are normally discharged from your debt.
Bankruptcy
This is usually a last resort for serious debt problems. If you wish to petition on your own behalf, you must owe at least £1,500 and meet certain criteria. Alternatively, for one of your creditors to petition, you must owe at least £3,000.
Token payments
These are regular payments - usually between £1 and £50 a month - that can be offered to creditors as a substitute for the full contractual amount.
Moratorium
Moratorium is a legally authorised postponement of your debt payments for a given period of time.
Mortgage to Rent
The Mortgage to Rent scheme helps people who are in danger of having their homes repossessed to stay in their home as tenants of a social landlord.
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Case records
The information you give is treated in the strictest confidence. You have free access to your case records and copies of correspondence can be provided.
Monitoring the service
We want your comments on the service you receive and welcome suggestions for improvement.
We have a long history of successfully negotiating on behalf of people in debt. So, if you need help, get in touch with us today.
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