Are money worries getting you down? You're better off finding out where you can get free, confidential, impartial help.
You can contact the Council's money advisers on 0845 600 4222 or by e-mail at money.advice@highland.gov.uk or by post at:
Money Advice
The Highland Council
Policy And Development Team - Money Advice
38 Harbour Road
Inverness
IV1 1UF
Everyone is facing financial challenges these days and for many people, for a variety of reasons, their outgoings are exceeding their income.
If you feel your finances are out of control, The Highland Council's Money Advice service can provide advice and assistance to help you deal with your debts. We can:
- check if you are getting all the income you are entitled to
- tell you what creditors can and can't do
- discuss what options are available to you, to help you deal with your debts
- get in touch with your creditors and negotiate on your behalf, taking the stress out of dealing with your bills
We aim to provide a same day response if you contact us by telephone or e-mail. If you contact us, you will be given advice by an experienced money adviser, so if you are worried and don't know who to turn to, why not call us and talk things over?
We can deal with all types of debts - including mortgage, rent and Council Tax arrears, no matter what stage they're at. Getting in touch is the first step to freeing yourself from those sleepless nights and the cycle of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'.
We also provide a free, one payment facility to help you repay your debts via your bank or using a Paypoint card. We also work closely with the Council's Customer Income Maximisation Team. You can contact our Customer Income Maximisation Team at income.maximisation@highland.gov.uk or by telephone on 0845 600 4222.
In some cases you may be eligible for a Debt Arrangement Scheme i.e. a free debt management plan. We have approved advisers who can help you make an application for this Scheme.
A Debt Arrangement helps you repay your debts in a managed way, protecting you from action by your creditors. If the Debt Arrangement Scheme is approved, interest and charges on your debts will be frozen. More information on Debt Arrangement Schemes can be found at http://www.moneyscotland.com.
You can find out more about debt and the consequences at http://www.aib.gov.uk/guidance/publications/debtbankruptcy/debtandconseq/debtcons.
Other sources of help:
You can also get help from your local Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB). If you feel you would like to try and deal with your debts yourself, you can contact the National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 or go to their website at www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/scotland/ and The UK Insolvency Helpline Debt Advice Service www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk or freephone 0800 074 6918.