Money Advice Service
Nowadays, it seems everyone has at least one debt, if not more. Sometimes a change in circumstances, such as the loss of a job, ill-health or relationship break-up, means that a client can no longer cope, and gets into difficulties with keeping up the payments.
Money Advice offers people advice and assistance when dealing with debt. It is a free, confidential, independent, impartial and non-judgmental service. Our money advice team includes a Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) approved adviser.
The aim of our service is to help people gain control of their financial affairs and to help them achieve the best possible outcome. The procedures we use are recognised by creditors.
Our Money Advice Service covers central and south Aberdeenshire and we aim to see people in the advice centre most convenient to where they live or work - either at one of our own three advice centres, Huntly, Ellon and Inverurie or Aboyne, Banchory, Stonehaven and Westhill Advice Centres. Home visits are available to those who are housebound.
What Happens?
If the situation is urgent, for example if you are being evicted or have imminent court action you will be seen immediately.
Otherwise we send out a debt pack which when returned enables us to produce a financial statement and assess your situation. Please note that it is important that this debt pack is returned to us as soon as possible so that we can action it. We will then invite you for an appointment to discuss your options and explain the implications of these.
We will explain all options but we do not tell you what to do, it is your choice as to how you proceed and we will work through that with you.
The service includes;
- income maximisation
- budget advice
- financial inclusion
- negotiating with landlords or mortgage lenders
- negotiating with creditors
- arranging repayment plans, including DAS
- completion of bankruptcy forms
- completion of court forms or representation in cases of eviction
