Debt Advice
What help can we offer you?
Our Debt Advice Services are funded primarily by the national Money and Pensions Service and by East Northamptonshire Council although 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
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 2022 – 2023 we provided specialist Debt advice for 1499 people and helped with the management of £20,904,697 of Debt including the administration of 175 Debt Relief Orders and support for 10 Bankruptcies.
“You have significantly improved my money situation and now I can sleep better knowing my finances are in order”
Case Study
Mr C had rent arrears with a Housing Association, a Credit Union debt and Council Tax arrears. No income was coming into the property. The client’s health was deteriorating through depression, anxiety and mental health issues but he had not engaged with the support worker for some time.
Action taken:
- Mr C’s support worker was contacted and engaged again with Mr C.
- An internal referral was made to a CLS benefits specialist to assist with applications for the benefits to which he was entitled.
- The local authority was contacted with regard to the outstanding Council Tax arrears and to claim Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) to be exempt from payment
Outcome:
- Mr C was awarded Employment Support Allowance , Personal Independence Payment and Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction (CTR) and was successful in being exempt from Council Tax. Council Tax Reduction was backdated and this cleared the majority of the arrears outstanding
- The Credit Union agreed to accept a payment of £10 per month.
- An application was successful to a Trust Fund to clear the rent arrears.
Mr C experienced less anxiety as a result of the support provided and the removal of the risk of enforcement action against him.
Our Services
Enquiries
For general enquires, please contact us on: