Debt Advice
Debt can be a frightening subject, affecting many different people. Debt will not go away if you ignore it and can have serious, life altering consequences if it is not dealt with. It is not too late to get your debts under control.
Please remember that your rent is one of your priority debts and non payment of your rent can lead to you being evicted from your home. This is always a last resort for Hightown and we will work with you as much as possible to prevent this from happening, however we can only help if we have your full co-operation.
Our dedicated team can help you complete any budget planning forms, assist you in what benefits you may be entitled to and discuss an affordable repayment agreement with you for any rent arrears you may have.
If you have any queries regarding debts or feel we may be able to help you further please contact the Income Recovery Team on 01442 292 361.
Consumer Credit Counselling Service
CCCS is a registered charity offering free, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt.
For online debt counselling which is tailored to your individual circumstances try their Debt Remedy service now. Alternatively you can call their freephone helpline on 0800 138 1111 to speak to a Debt Counsellor.
How Credit Counselling Works
People in financial difficulties reach them through an 0800 free phone number, or online using CCCS Debt Remedy. Over the telephone, the helpline advisor will perform an immediate assessment of the situation ending in emergency help, self-help material or the offer of a counselling appointment. Through CCCS Debt Remedy, visitors receive online expert debt advice tailored to their individual circumstances.
Whether a client chooses to use CCCS Debt Remedy or has a counselling appointment, CCCS conduct a full review of the credit and debt situation followed by a recommendation. The first priority wherever possible is to allow for essential expenditure, priority debts and living expenses. They will assess whether the client has enough left over to make an offer of repayment to other creditors. If so, creditors are asked to freeze interest, stop penalties and charges, accept a longer repayment period and sometimes a reduced sum.
Such is the quality of counselling that many creditors now accept CCCS repayment proposals without further checking and the repayment records of clients they have counselled are uniquely good. This is because CCCS follow the two key principles of best advice and sustainable plans.
How Online Counselling Works
As some people prefer to be counselled anonymously, CCCS introduced an online process CCCS Debt Remedy.
CCCS Debt Remedy performs an immediate assessment of the situation ending in emergency help, self-help material or the option of continuing to an online counselling session. You can fill in your details, save where you are and come back later, and counsellors are available on the telephone to answer any questions.
As with a telephone appointment, CCCS conduct a full review of the credit and debt situation followed by a recommended course of action.
Who Uses Credit Counselling
Over-indebtedness largely results from a change in financial circumstances, caused by reduced income or overuse of credit, although relationship problems and changes in employment status are also common causes. Because of this, clients are from all walks of life and CCCS are able to offer help and advice to those on high incomes as well as those on low ones. A typical client on a repayment plan is mid-30's, married with children with an average debt of £24,000.