FACING MORTGAGE PROBLEMS NEEDN’T MEAN LOSING YOUR HOME.
You are not alone
Since October 2008, over 330,000 homeowners, nationally, have received help and advice with paying their mortgage. Facing the prospect of repossession can be frightening, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. There is a lot of help available from national and local government, from lenders and from advice agencies.
Help is available
If you are behind with your payments repossession is never inevitable, there is help available to you.
The government, South Holland District Council and South Holland Citizens Advice Bureau are working together to help people through the difficulties they are facing at this time.
Visit www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp
to find out more information on your options and create your own personalised Action Plan.
Get free, confidential and independent debt advice from:
- Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau helps you to deal with any legal, money, welfare benefit issues or other problems. To speak to someone face-to-face visit your nearest citizens advice bureau (details at www.citizensadvice.org.uk) - National Debt Line
National Debt Line is an independent charity that helps you to deal with debt problems. Phone 0808 808 4000 or visit www.nationaldebtline.co.uk - Shelter
Shelter is a charity that offers you help with housing, mortgage debt or problems with welfare benefits. Phone the free mortgage helpline on 0300 3300515 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday (incl Bank Holidays) and 8am to 5pm on Saturdays to Sundays (some mobile phone networks may charge for calls to this number). Or, you can visit www.shelter.org.uk/adviceonline - Payplan
Payplan gives you free and confidential advice on how to manage your debts. Phone 0800 917 7823 or visit www.payplan.com - Consumer Credit Counselling Service
The CCCS is a registered charity offering free, confidential advice and support to anyone worried about debt. Phone 0800 138 1111 or visit www.cccs.co.uk
Your Local Authority housing team can also help you with free advice.
When you go to see an adviser it will be really helpful and save time if you take all the relevant information with you.
If you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed because of your mortgage, debt or financial problems, the NHS has launched a Credit Crunch stressline on 0300 123 2000 where you can discuss with an expert the issues that are affecting you and your family.
Talk to your lender
It’s never too late to contact your lender. Most lenders are committed to helping homeowners who are struggling to make payments. Thanks to a new pre-action protocol in the courts, lenders know they have to make repossession proceedings a last resort.
Ask about government schemes
You may be eligible for help through a targeted government scheme. You can find out if you may be eligible by completing an Action Plan at www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp
And remember, it's never too late to get help and advice - you can get help even if your case goes to court. Everyone is eligible for support from a free court desk adviser and access to the service is available across the country.
You should always go to a repossession court hearing.
IT’S YOUR HOME, LET’S KEEP IT THAT WAY.
South Holland CAB is open at :
24 The Crescent, Spalding PE11 1AF
Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 4pm; Thursdays and Fridays 10am – 1pm;
and the last Saturday of every month: 9.30am – 12.30pm ;
Parish Offices, Hall St, Crowland: last Wednesday of every month 1-4pm;
Ruby Hunt Centre, Church St, Donington: 2nd Tuesday of every month 1-4pm.
Drop in during opening hours or call 01775 717444 for an appointment (not an advice line).
For advice by e-mail: advice@shcab.cabnet.org.uk
Lincolnshire telephone advice line: 08444 99 41 99
Polish advice line: 0844 847 6128
The bureau is also open at the following, by appointment only (ring 01775 717444):
Parish Offices, 11 West End, Holbeach: Wednesday & Fridays 10am – 1pm;
Market House, Market St, Long Sutton: Mondays (drop-in for 15 minute interviews) &
Thursdays 10am – 1pm (appointments only).
Free, confidential advice on a wide range of subjects
1st February 2010
Local CAB launches campaign to help people stay in their homes
South Holland CAB is launching a campaign to help people manage their debts and stay in their homes in 2010. The area is one of 56 ‘repossession hotspots’ recently identified by the Government as being at greater risk due to having higher levels of unemployment and repossession court orders.
South Holland CAB saw a 45% increase in enquiries about mortgages and secured loans arrears in the 12 months leading up to September 2009.
Over the next month the bureau at 24 The Crescent, Spalding, will be distributing leaflets showing where families can get free face-to-face and impartial advice. There are also booklets which will equip them with information on managing and prioritising debt, staying on top of paying their bills and ultimately reducing the risk of losing their homes. There will be:
- Poster campaigns around the local area
- Distribution of leaflets and fliers which cover advice and info on where to get help
Diane Clay, manager at South Holland CAB said: “Many people face money worries immediately after Christmas and don’t know where to turn for help. South Holland CAB has a number of experts offering free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of topics, particularly debt problems which are currently our number one issue. Anyone who is worried or concerned can call into their nearest CAB – call 01775 717444 or check the website www.shcab.org.uk to find out where we are. We also have a number of leaflets and advice sheets available at the bureau to take away if people would rather try to tackle the problem themselves. The worst thing people can do is bury their heads in the sand!”
As well as the activities listed above, over the coming month South Holland CAB will be targeting local papers and radio stations to publish top tips and guidance on coping with the new year financial hangover, mortgage payment problem do’s and don’ts and information and advice on Government schemes for mortgage help. Look out for these during February.
The campaign is part of a wide range of extra support the Government is offering to struggling homeowners. More information can be found here: http://mortgagehelp.direct.
For more information contact:
South Holland CAB, 24 The Crescent, Spalding PE11 1AF
Local CAB publishes top tips to help manage New Year debt hangover
As part of their campaign to help people manage their debts and stay in their homes in 2010, South Holland Citizens Advice Bureau is publishing the following top tips to help you manage your finances in the New Year:
Diane Clay manager at South Holland Cab said: “January is often a stressful time of year for families, who have to cope with the demands of paying for Christmas and increased fuel bills. This is a good time to think about how to manage your debts and talk to your lenders. The key thing is not to bury your head in the sand and don’t be embarrassed to seek help.”
- Don’t panic and don’t ignore the bills.
- Avoid borrowing further to try and pay off existing debt – this is likely to lead to more problems in the long run.
- Sit down and work out how much you owe and how much you need to pay your priority debts, like mortgage, rent, gas and electricity bills, and your council tax, and then work out how much you need for food, travel to work and other everyday expense.
- Pay your priority debts first every month. Don’t fall into the trap of paying whoever shouts loudest first.
- Then work out how much you can pay to non-priority creditors like credit and store cards.
- Talk to your creditors - don’t just stop payments without explaining why. They can sometimes be more understanding than you’d expect.
- If what you have left doesn’t cover what your non-priority creditors are asking for each month, speak to them and come to an arrangement about how much you can afford to pay them.
- Only offer to pay off debts at a rate you can keep up – it is easy to be panicked into offering more than you can afford.
- If you need help to do that or they won’t listen, make an appointment to see a money adviser at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
- Don’t pay for debt advice which you can get for free from your local CAB, National debtline or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.