Debt Charity Launches New Service For Vulnerable People

A new service to help vulnerable people struggling with debt has been launched by Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS).

The service is designed to help those who are classified as vulnerable because of mental health or capacity issues or age related concerns.

It will offer extra support such as completing forms and undertaking benefit checks. The CCCS will also contact creditors to explain the mitigating circumstances affecting the vulnerable person, if they have significant debt problems.

The CCCS, which is a leading debt charity, expects a significant number of its clients to benefit from this new service.

These will include some of the 12,000 people it counselled last year who were claiming Disability Living Allowance as well as the growing number of older people CCCS helps with their debt problems.

As CCCS managing counsellor Maggie Kirkpatrick, who runs the service, explains:

“Debt problems are incredibly difficult and stressful to deal with. They are especially difficult for anyone who, for whatever reason, struggles with completing forms and making applications.

“We are launching this service to ensure that those who are vulnerable not only receive free, independent and impartial debt advice, but extra support according to their needs.”

People can access the Debt Advocacy Service by calling the CCCS Helpline on 0800 138 1111, 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday and will be referred to it if identified as needing additional support.

CCCS do emphasise, however, that their services are designed to help the “can’t pays” and not the “won’t pays” It also does not condone debt avoidance, but aims to help its’ clients pay back their debts in a realistic timescale and in a manner that is suitable for each clients’ needs.