YOUR DEBT WORRIES CAN BE SOLVED
Experts urge those struggling to seek advice early
PROBLEM debt rarely comes alone, often accompanying a change in circumstances such as divorce, redundancy, illness or, in many cases, simply an unexpected crisis that can dramatically affect someones finances.
In a situation where every penny available is spent on paying essential bills and repaying problem debts, difficult decisions have to be made.
New research conducted by debt charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) says more and more people are depriving themselves of heat, light, hot food and hot water to keep costs affordable.
The study found that one in two of their clients with a prepayment meter have selfdisconnected and more than a third of those questioned have gone without food to pay for energy.
Worryingly, more than half of the debt charity’s clients regularly lived in the cold in the past two years in order to afford other basics like food.
Emma Jackson, National Director of CAP in Scotland, says: “Unmanageable debt could happen to any of us. Things can quickly spiral, especially if we don’t seek advice about what our options might be.”
“We know from speaking with our clients, shame and embarrassment hold people back from getting help, with two-thirds waiting up to three years before seeking help. We want to say that there is no shame in needing debt advice and urge people to seek the help they need.”
One client named Violet, tells us how a series of unfortunate events resulted in a financial crisis that left her relying on a foodbank.
Violet, 65, went from having a nice house, car and a good job to almost nothing when her husband of 20 years walked out.
Forced to retire early because of ill health, Violet had some money from her share of the family home, but it meant she was ineligible for benefits and couldn’t get a council home, so had to spend her savings on private rent.
Violet explained, “After my divorce I was left with nothing. The money I got from my home just fluttered away and, eventually, I was left penniless. For the past two years, I have been living hand to mouth. Often with no food in the fridge or even teabags, sometimes, I just couldn’t get up.”
Running out of electricity and gas, Violet was too embarrased to ask family for help.
When her GP referred her to a counsellor, she was told: “You don’t have mental health problems, you have debt problems.”
Violet was given financial support and advice through her local Community Money Advice Centre.
She is now feeling in control and more positive about her future.
Spokesperson Adrian Curtis explains, “the most common reasons for people experiencing significant debt are unexpected life and relationship problems.”
Experts agree – it is always possible to find a solution to debt problems but it’s crucial to seek help as quickly as possible.
In Scotland alone, there are many organisations, where you can seek free financial advice to help with debt concerns.
Whether this is through budgeting advice, entering a repayment method or even agreeing a formal debt solution, help is available.
There is a debt solution for everybody.
Christians Against Poverty debt centre manager Helene Kelly knows more than most about dealing with debt after her own crisis several years ago.
She says: “I was in poor health and on disability allowance. My husband hadn’t had a wage increase in five years and we were living payday to payday.”
They managed bills but with nothing left over the couple relied on credit cards.
Then, in the space of 10 days, Helene’s worries intensified: “Our hot water tank burst, the chimney broke, meaning we couldn’t heat the house for our two young boys, and the final straw was when the kettle broke.”
The couple resorted to loans to pay for the home repairs.
By 2000, Helene’s health improved and she no longer required disability benefit, however this slashed the family’s income in half, leaving no way to pay back the loans.
That’s when Helene turned to CAP.
The debt centre manager at Liberty Church in Dunfermline examined Helene’s paperwork and helped to create a reasonable budget.
Helene remembers the weight lifting from her shoulders when the family began to regain control of their finances. “I won’t say it
EMMA JACKSON
Where you can get support in Scotland
(Christians Against Poverty) capuk.org or call 01274 760720 for help and support. An adviser will visit you and help you devise a practical plan to tackle your debt issue. You don’t need to be Christian to get help from CAP. ADVICE DIRECT SCOTLAND – free, confidential advice on a wide range of matters, including dealing with debt. Call 0808 800 9060, 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday, or access help 24/7 on www.advice.scot including live chat. LOCAL AUTHORITY MONEY ADVICE UNIT For free financial help and information, visit your local authority website or contact them directly.