CAB People are facing a ‘financial storm’
As we head into autumn and the weather becomes more stormy many are facing a financial‘storm’.
This has been created by soaring energy bills, the ending of the £20 per week universal credit uplift, the end of furlough bringing redundancy risks, rising costs in the shops and a resumption of proceedings in court for those facing unmanageable debts or even eviction from their homes.
So what can we do? This financial nightmare may seem impossible to tackle but the most important message is do not worry alone.
The team here at Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau have a huge range of knowledge and experience and provide free and impartial support to help individuals and families reduce or manage their debts and increase their incomes.
Depending on your personal and family circumstances a range of benefits, grants and solutions may be available to you.
Even if you are already in discussion with credit companies and organisations offering help for a fee it is still worth getting a free review with one of our team. Advice is always confidential and impartial and we support you to do what is right for you and your family.
Only this week one of our advisors met with a man being charged nearly £1,500 by a credit management company who were offering to develop a plan to bring his debts under control. We will be able to work with him to achieve the same goals, at no charge.
Council tax debt is the biggest debt issue the Citizens Advice network sees each year.
We are very concerned that these additional autumn pressures will lead to more people struggling to pay their council tax in the months ahead and recently launched the ‘Our Advice Adds Up’ campaign encouraging people to seek advice to maximise their incomes, cut their cost of living and get help if in council tax arrears.
Almost 430,000 people in Scotland have missed a council tax payment in the last year after running out of money before pay, pension or benefits day.
Despite this, many households still do not realise they may be entitled to a reduction, discounts or even exemptions on their council tax bill.
You can see if you are entitled to a council tax saving at www.checkmycounciltax. scot or more generally boost your income and cut costs via www.moneymap.scot.
As always, if you need support, contact your local CAB for a free appointment with one of the team.
With the energy market still in turmoil, the wholesale prices are at unprecedented highs. Thirteen energy firms have now gone bust in the last month.
Bills will now rise by a typical £139/ year, or nearly £12 a month for many households and by much more for some families, after regulator Ofgem raised the price cap to its highest-ever level on 1 October 2021.
For some people coming off deals as they expire their monthly charge may double or even triple!
Due to the turmoil in the energy market, there are sadly no deals you can switch to that are cheaper than the price cap right now.
Our advice however is not to panic, don’t try to switch without advice and do not ignore things until it gets too late.
There are still many things you could do to make you home more energy efficient, to reduce your energy use and to access help with your bills.
Every case is different and here at RCAB we have specialist energy advisors who will work with you to support in developing your own energy plan.
This service is available to everyone and is free of charge.