Debt Counselling
Financial/Welfare benefits and other help
For more information on organisations in the borough which provide free advice and support on debt counselling please see welfare benefits advice. This included the local Citizen Advice Bureaus which help people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice.
The National Debt Line also provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. Freephone: 0808 808 4000 Monday to Friday, 9am - 9pm, and Saturday, 9am - 1pm.
Debt and you is a free impartial debt help guide for people who would like to find more information about getting out of debt.
Debt Counselling Advice
The worst thing you can do when you owe money is to ignore the problem, hoping it will go away. The earlier you contact your creditors, the more flexible they are likely to be in coming to an agreement with you.
Decide which debts are a priority and then contact your creditors to indicate that you want to work out an arrangement which will reduce the debts.
If you make any arrangements over the telephone, ask the name of the person you speak to. Write down what was said and then follow up with a letter to confirm the arrangement. Remember to quote your account reference and to keep a copy of all your letters.
Don't make promises you can not keep
Don't be bullied into agreeing to repayment arrangements which you cannot keep. Arrange a rate of repayment that you can afford to keep up, based on the figures in your personal financial statement, otherwise, sooner or later, you are likely to default or miss payments elsewhere and find yourself back in trouble.
Make regular payments
Many firms are computerised and these systems are programmed to send reminders and warnings automatically if payments are missed. It is better to make regular payments, however small, rather than make large occasional payments.
The law is on your side
Although the law gives creditors the power to take action to recover the money you owe them, it also makes them go through fixed procedures before the final action can legally be taken.
For example, you cannot legally be evicted from your home without the creditor having been to court and obtained the necessary authority.
Don't be unduly intimidated
Harassing people in debt is illegal. If you are harassed by creditors seek advice immediately. You can make a complaint to the Local Trading Standards office or the Police. If the person is your landlord, you should contact our Housing Service.
Council information points
An extensive range of free booklets can be found at the Community Legal Service Partnership Information Points.
Dealing with Debt|
Debt helplines|
Contact
Please contact one of the organisations listed if you require any further assistance, alternatively telephone the National Debt Line on 0808 808 4000 Monday to Friday, 9am - 9pm, and Saturday, 9am - 1pm.
If you require any further assistance on any Housing related matters please contact:
Housing and Council Tax Benefits
Revenues and Benefits
Civic Centre
Rainham Road North
Dagenham
RM10 7BN
Visit us at:
90 Stour Road
Dagenham
RM10 7JD
Reception hours:
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5pm
Tel: 020 8227 2970
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.15pm
Fax: 020 8227 2574
Textphone: 020 8227 2413
Email: benefits@lbbd.gov.uk|
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