Money Advice Service

You don’t have to look further than your daily newspaper to find headlines about rising levels of personal debt. The average household debt in the UK is £21,725 and this only accounts for debts such as personal loans, credit cards and utilities. With mortgages included the figures rises to £57,941. (Credit Action, July 2008)

It’s very common for a sudden change in personal circumstances, such as loss of employment or a relationship breakdown, to create a crisis situation where there is simply not enough money available to pay everything that needs to be paid.

If you find yourself in this sort of situation the Council’s Advice Service are on hand to help. Based at Lime Tree House, we offer free, confidential and impartial advice to anyone who lives in the Clackmannanshire area.

We can help by:

checking your benefit and tax credit entitlements,
suggesting ways to reduce unnecessary expenditure,
contacting creditors on your behalf,
giving advice on all forms of debt recovery, including court action,
and providing information on possible solutions such as rescheduling, trust deeds, bankruptcy and the Scottish Governments Debt Arrangement Scheme.

Our adviser will:

provide a free service;
listen and offer support;
treat everything you say in complete confidence;
always ask your consent before taking any action;
give you copies of all letters written on your behalf;
keep you fully informed about your case;
give you free access to our records on your case;
visit you in your home if necessary.

When you can be seen

If you write, phone or email, an appointment will be made for you to be seen within 21 days. In urgent cases we will do all we can to see you as soon as possible. The service is free and confidential. Home visits can also be arranged.

You can contact the Money Advice Service using the Contact Information below.

See also

Paying your rent

Council Tax Advice

Having difficulty paying your Rent or Council Tax