Debt Advice

What help can we offer you?

Our Debt Advice Team is funded primarily by the national Money and Pensions Service. Our debt advisers all hold, or are working towards the Institute of Money Advisers’ Certificate of Money Advice Practice and are authorised intermediaries for Debt Relief Orders. Debt advice is also an integral part of our Energy Advice Services.

We provide a Countywide specialist Debt casework service delivered by fully trained staff covering all Debt and related matters including:

Credit Debt
Water Debt
Fuel Debt
Council Tax Debt
Mortgage and Rent Arrears
Income Maximisation
Support with Bankruptcy
Debt Relief Orders
County Court Judgements

If you have possession proceedings issued against you:

If you are at risk of losing your home because possession proceedings have commenced, we can assist you wherever you live. We have specialist advisers available to deal with debt matters where these are contributing to the risk to your home.

Our Debt
Advice Service
is Free,
Independent
and Confidential

How can you access this service?

An organisation that is already supporting you can make a referral. Or you can visit our offices, email enquiries@communitylawservice.org.uk or call 01604 621038.

We also offer a Drop-In Advice Sessions at our offices in Northampton, at the One Stop Shop in the Guildhall on Wednesday 10:00 – 12 noon.

Appointments with our specialist advisors are available at our offices in Northampton and Wellingborough. We also have outreach venues available and we may be able to visit you in your home if you are housebound.

If your problem is urgent, we will try to see you before any deadlines that you must meet. For non-urgent problems, demand for our service may sometimes mean that you have to several weeks for an appointment. You will be given the option of being referred to an alternative provider should the waiting time not be appropriate for your needs.

In 2023-2024 we provided specialist debt advice for 1261 people and helped with the management of £28,535,388of debt including the administration of 221 debt relief orders and support for 5 bankruptcies.

“You have significantly improved my money situation and now I can sleep better knowing my finances are in order”

Debt Case Study 2023/24

D was single, living in accommodation rented from a housing association. D was a care leaver and received minimal support since turning 18 and leaving care. They were considered unfit for work by DWP and receiving Employment and Support Allowance. The client approached CLS with their sister’s support

Their debt situation had got to the stage where all priority bills were behind, including rent, council tax, gas and electricity. D had started to sell belongings in order to make payments to creditors. The landlord had also disconnected the gas supply as they had not had access to carry out a gas safety check.

Actions Taken

An income maximisation check was undertaken and identified a potential claim for Personal Independence Payments, which D was assisted to make.
The housing association was contacted and access arranged to carry out a gas safety check.
D still had over £7,000.00 of debt outstanding. The landlord was contacted and provided written confirmation that they permitted the client to include rent arrears in a Debt Relief Order along with all of his other debts with no impact on his tenancy.
D was advised on the options available and chose to apply for a Debt Relief Order. CLS assisted them to apply for a Debt Relief Order

Outcomes

The Personal Independence Payment application was successful and increased the household income by £101.35, plus gave entitlement to an additional premium on Employment and Support Allowance of £81.50 a week.
As a result of the increased income, D was in a position to afford the ongoing bills
The Debt Relief Order was approved, clearing the £7,000 of debt.
The gas supply was reconnected meaning D could heat their home.

D was enabled to move forward with their life debt free. With the income having been maximised they were now in a position to pay ongoing bills and avoid falling into debt in the future.