...deal with debt?

DEALING WITH DEBT

We know debt is a big worry for many of our customers and in the current climate of rising fuel bills and inflated food prices, more and more people are struggling to make ends meet.

At Leeds Federated, we are committed to doing everything we can to help you get the help you need if debts get out of control. We are very pleased to announce that all neighbourhood staff and support workers have now been trained in giving basic debt advice, so if things start getting out of control you can always talk to us.

We can also refer you immediately for confidential and expert debt advice. We have developed partnerships with both St.Vincents and Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). That means that if we do refer you, you get an appointment fast! No queues, no waiting, no stress!

We understand that you might not want to talk to us about money worries, especially if you are in rent arrears. That's one of the reasons why we've teamed up with St Vincent's Support Centre and CAB, they are there to give you a confidential debt advice service. Their aim is to help you to work through your money worries and set up a budgeting plan. The debt service can act on your behalf and deal with everyone you owe money too. Face-to-face support will continue until you feel ready to manage your finances alone.

Many of our customers have already been helped by St Vincent's and CAB and we hope that many more of you will use this service if you need help with your debts.

Whether you are in rent arrears or not, if you are suffering distress due to mounting debts Just Ask your Income Management Officer or any member of your Neighbourhood Team to refer you for an appointment to see a Debt Advisor now.

Support from other Advice Agencies

Did you Know …… that although we have made these special arrangements with CAB and St Vincents Support Centre to get fast and confidential debt advice straight to our all customers, you can still contact them directly if you would prefer not to involve Leeds Federated? Although this service is confidential (Leeds Federated staff never get to hear about your circumstances) we understand if you would prefer to seek help without our support.

There are a number of FREE debt advice services in Leeds for you to contact directly, please see the details below.

CAB offer a range of advice services and have outreach workers based in various locations across Leeds. For more information and to receive telephone advice just call 0870 120 2450 mon - fri between 10am and 4pm.

St Vincent Support Centre: Phone them on 0113 248 4126 to access a range of services including Debt Advice, Counselling Services for a range of issues and their Learning Services providing Basic Numeracy, Literacy, or computer skills as well as English Language courses.

C.A.P. (Christians Against Poverty) is a free debt service open to anyone irrespective of their race, gender or beliefs. Just call their FREEPHONE number 0800 328 0006 to make an appointment for their advisor to visit you at home. CAP will deal with your creditors and manage your finances for you until you get back on your feet.

CCCS (Consumer Credit Counselling Service) is a telephone based debt advice service. Just call FREEPHONE 0800 138 111 mon - fri between 8am and 8pm. An appointment will be made for a trained Debt Advisor to call you back at a convenient time to help you deal with your debts.

'' …..so what if you don't live in Leeds? Can you still access Debt Advice if you need it? If you live in the Harrogate or Ripon area, then Jane Gordois your Income Management Officer, has already been arranging regular 'surgeries' for customers to speak in confidence about Debt problems to the St.Vincent Debt Advisor. If you would like to access this service, then just call Jane on 0113 3861000 to discuss your needs further.

…..so what if you don't want to speak to us about your debts and you live outside Leeds? Why not ring CAB direct to arrange an appointment of receive telephone advice during office hours.

Harrogate CAB Advice Line 01423 567150 or to make an appointment 01423 503576 or check out their website www.harrogate-cab.demon.co.uk

Wakefield CAB for advice and to make an appointment ring 0844 4994138 or visit their website www.wakefielddistrictcab.co.uk