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Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire is braced for the busiest time of the year for debt advice
Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire is expecting 120 clients to seek advice for debt concerns in January, including council tax arrears, debt relief orders, credit card debts and water debts.
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Analysis of national data over a 12-month period reveals that on a single day - 29 January 2019 - Citizens Advice offices helped 2,776 people. This is 24% above the daily average.
In 2017 and 2018, the busiest day for debt advice fell on 31 January, with 2,762 and 2,775 clients seeking help respectively. This means over the past three years one person sought help from Citizens Advice every 10 seconds on our busiest days for debt advice.
Kingsley Taylor, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire, said:
“There is a surge in demand for our debt advice towards the second half of January.
“We know that dealing with debt can be hugely stressful and that Christmas is often an additional burden for anyone already in financial difficulty.
“Citizens Advice can offer free and independent advice and support to help you deal with your debts and get back on your feet.”
To help people kick off 2020 on a stronger financial footing, Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire is sharing its six top tips to help people get their finances in order for the new year.
Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire’s six top tips to sort out your debts. 1. Work out how much you owe - Make a list of whom you owe money to and add up how much you need to pay each month. If you don’t have your most recent statements, contact your creditor to find out what you owe. 2. Prioritise your debts - Your rent or mortgage, energy and council tax are called priority debts as there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay them. These should always be paid first. Separate these and work out how much you owe. 3. Work out how much you can pay - Create a budget by adding up your essential living costs, such as food and housing, and taking these away from your income. Any money you have spare can be put towards your debts. Citizens Advice budgeting tool can help. 4. Paying urgent debts - You might have to contact priority creditors quickly in urgent situations, like if you are about to be evicted. Tell them you’re seeking debt advice so you can find a way forward. You could try to pay them something if you can afford to. 5. Paying non-urgent debts - If you have any money left after paying priority debts, consider getting a free debt-management plan. You’ll make one monthly payment to the plan provider, who will handle paying your creditors. Or contact your creditors and offer them what you can afford to pay. 6. If you can’t pay your debts - If you’ve got little or no money spare to pay your priority debts seek advice from us straight away.
Reducing your regular living costs
If you’re struggling with money, there are steps you can take to save on your regular living costs. You might be able to save money by: • getting a discount on your council tax • switching to a cheaper deal for your gas and electricity • getting a water meter fitted • switching to a cheaper broadband, TV, or phone deal • getting cheaper travel • paying for your prescriptions in advance
Check if you can pay less council tax If you’re on a low income or claim benefits, you might be able to get Council Tax Reduction.
Each local council runs its own scheme, so what you can get depends on where you live.
You might be able to get a council tax discount for your property - for example if: • no one lives there • you live alone • you live alone apart from a live-in care worker • people you live with are full-time students or apprentices • someone you live with has a severe mental disability • you need a bigger property because someone has a disability
Saving money on your gas and electricity You might be able to save money on your energy bills by switching to a better deal. You could stay with your current supplier or switch to a new one.
Use our price comparison tool to compare deals and prices. If you’re in debt to your energy supplier you’ll need to follow a different process for switching. You might be able to cut your energy bills by installing insulation, glazing or a more efficient heating system in your home.
If you’re on a low income you might be able to get help with the cost of making improvements.
Energy Champions at Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire can help explain and provide information about switching energy supplier and other energy cost saving measures.
Switch to a cheaper broadband, phone or TV deal
You might be able to save money by switching to a different broadband, phone or TV provider.
Check your terms and conditions before you switch. If you’re part way through a fixed-term contract you might have to pay to leave early - this is called an ‘exit fee’. Exit fees can be expensive and it might be better to wait until the end of the contract before switching.
If you’re getting benefits You might be able to get cheap phone calls and broadband through BT Basic if you get any of: • Income Support • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit • income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Universal Credit
We are here to help, for further information and advice on Debt and money contact Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ debt-and-money/
Ci tizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire gi ves people th e knowledge and confidence th ey need to find th eir way forward. We offer free, confiden tial advice to everyone in Boston and North Kesteven.
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