Debt and Money Management Advice
Advice is currently delivered through a range
of channels in Dover District:
Face-to-face advice
Research suggests that face-to-face money advice as provided by
The Citizens Advice Bureau, or other independent community advice
groups is likely to be more effective than other forms of advice
for the financially excluded.
The Citizens Advice Bureau, which has been in the Dover District
since 1964, offers a free, independent and impartial service. They
report that the average household debt in this area has increased
by 35% in the last 2 years, this figure is still rising. In 2007
they advised in 1050 debt cases but between 1st January
and 31st July 2008 the number of debt cases stood at
1054, a 100% increase. They predict that this figure will rise by
at least another 42% in 2009/10. Four Citizen's Advice
Bureau self-help kiosks have been secured for
the district. Three of these were funded from the Primary Care
Trust and one from Dover District Council. These will enable people
to help themselves, make appointments and arrange further help.
They will link to Dover District Council and Government
websites.
Court desk
The Dover District Council funded court desk has been extremely
successful with a 92 - 94% success rate in the Dover
Magistrate's Court. Agreements with Dover District Council
and Registered Social Landlords are made outside of court, where
possible.
Intermediaries
Since
the introduction of Debt Relief Orders (DRO), Citizens Advice
Bureau employs 2 intermediaries dealing with lower level debt,
which can be written off. This is a free service and training on
DRO’s can be given. The aim is to maximise income and home visits
can be arranged. If a situation is serious enough the customer will
be seen very quickly but less urgent cases may wait 3 to 4
weeks.
Telephone and email advice
This type of advice involves giving clients who are struggling
with their debts the information they need to negotiate an
affordable repayment plan with their creditors in order for them to
help themselves.
Fee-charging debt management companies
A debt management company helps people deal with their debts,
although they charge a fee and normally only deal with non-priority
debts. The customer pays the debt management company who
consolidates the debts and then distributes the money amongst the
creditors. They draft letters and negotiate with creditors. Using a
debt management company does not guarantee a favourable outcome or
prevent creditors taking action against the customer.
Other professional advice
For example banks, independent financial advisers and housing
associations.
Provision in Dover District
|
Service name
|
Type of Advice
|
Where and when
|
Service provided
|
|
Citizen’s Advice
Bureau
|
Face to Face
|
Maison Dieu Gardens, Dover
Monday to Thursday 10am – 3pm
Saturday 10am – 1pm Drop In Clinic
|
The Citizens Advice service helps
people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing
free, independent and confidential advice. They provide dedicated
debt advisors who are funded by the Financial Inclusion fund
provided by the Government.
|
|
|
|
Victoria Road, Deal
Monday to Wednesday 10am – 3pm
|
|
|
|
The Guildhall, Sandwich
Thursday 10am – 3pm
|
|
Shelter
|
Face to Face drop in Clinic
|
Well Resource Centre
Wednesday 10am - 12.30pm
|
Help with issues such as debt, welfare benefits, landlord/tenant
disputes as well as homelessness in addition to offering free legal
advice on all benefit problems and debts including fuel, mortgage,
rent and council tax.
|
|
The National
Debtline
|
Telephone and email
|
Telephone advice
0808 808 4000
Monday to Friday 9am-9pm
Saturday 9.30am-1pm
|
Provides free telephone advice, which is confidential and
independent. Self-help advice is given to its callers including
fact sheets and self help packs. They also takes email and written
enquiries. Expert advice is offered on the full range of debts from
rent arrears to congestion charges.
|
|
Bankruptcy insolvency debt
advice service
|
Telephone
|
Telephone advice
0800 074 6918
An experienced money advice worker is available 24 hours
|
Free, independent, confidential and non-judgmental advice on
Debt Insolvency or bankruptcy. Debt Self Help pack is
available on website.
|
|
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service
|
Telephone and email
|
Telephone advice
0800 138 1111
Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm
|
CCCS Is a registered charity offering free, confidential advice
and support to anyone who is worried about debt.
|
|
High Street Banks
|
Face to face
|
Various branches throughout the district
Normal banking hours
|
A number of high street banks now offer in house guidance on
money management and how to deal with and avoid debt.
|
|
Independent Financial Advisers
|
Face to face
|
Throughout the District
By appointment
|
There are independent financial advisors operating in the
district who offer a free 1 hour consultation to people who need to
review their finances to prevent problems arising or to plan for a
financially secure future.
|
|
Southern
Housing
|
Face to face
|
South Region
1 Eurogate
Eurogate Business Park
Ashford
Kent TN24 8XW
Telephone 08456 120 021
|
Southern Housing has a Financial Inclusion Strategy and provides
residents in their houses in Wingham with essential support to
enable them to maintain their tenancies and reduce financial
worries.
|
|
Town and
Country Housing
|
Face to face
|
East Kent Office
Unit 4b Denne Hill
Business Centre
Denne Hill
Womenswold
Canterbury
Kent
CT4 6HD
Fax: 01227 833437
e-mail: info@tchg.org.uk
|
Town and Country Housing offer a drop in session for advice for
their tenants on any subject once a month at the Gordon Road
centre.
|
|
Sanctuary Housing
|
Face to face
|
Tel: 0800 781 4755
Minicom: 01992 513 650
Fax: 01992 513 413
Email: londonsoutheast@sanctuary-housing.co.uk
|
Sanctuary Housing has appointed a Welfare Benefits Officer to
offer a dedicated advice service to tenants.
|
|
Age
Concern
|
Face to face
|
Deal Centre for the Retired, Park Street, Deal 01304 372608
– Advice surgery held every last Friday in the month 10am to
12pm
Riverside Centre, Dover 01304 207268 and The Cattle Market,
Sandwich 01304 614237
- In house adviser available Monday to Friday by
appointment.
|
Advice surgeries are held in all three Age Concern centres. In
the Deal Centre for the Retired the service is offered once a month
by the Dover District Council Health and Well-being team in
conjunction with the Department for Works and Pensions. Other
agencies attend these sessions to provide a complete service for
anyone attending the centre. In the Sandwich and Dover centres
in-house advisers signpost customers to the relevant agency to help
with their needs.
|
|
Porchlight, formerly known as
East Kent Cyrenians
|
Face to Face
Telephone and email
|
Centres in Dover at Fern Court and Prospects
Kent Outreach Service Helpline – freephone 0800 567 7699
|
Porchlight works to change people’s lives for the better by
helping the most vulnerable and isolated people in our communities
to access housing and related support services.
|
|
Migrant Helpline
|
Face to Face
|
Gateway Office, Castle Street, Dover.
Monday and Friday 9.30am – 4.30 pm
|
Migrant Helpline reports that a major concern of its clients are
money and debt issues. They work with Citizen’s Advice Bureau to
try to help resolve issues.
|
|
Dover
District Carers Support
|
Face to face
|
10 Victoria Road
Deal
01304 364637
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
|
Offer practical assistance when dealing with
forms or claiming benefits, representation and assistance when
problems arise with services, benefits etc and provide
information on local services and support, entitlements and
benefits, newsletters and training for Carers
|
|
Kent County Council Backing Kent People Campaign
|
Telephone and website advice
|
08458 247 247
www.kent.gov.uk
|
Information and advice on:
- making the most of your money
- saving money at home, managing debt and benefits
- finding a job, training or voluntary work
- what to do if you are being made redundant
- mortgage or rent payments
- planning your future and managing your money
|
Contact Community Development
Tel: 01304 872061
Email: communitydevelopment@dover.gov.uk
