on behalf of someone else ...

vanoonoo

hiya - I've someone in my social circle who has debt issues - we haven't yet done a statement of affairs but plan to do that this weekend, once that's done, and we know the scale of the problem - where would be a good place to get some assistance - I've seen stepchange mentioned - are they helpful and legit?

all positive advice appreciated

TIA



V

antonic

Yes they are.

I had PayPlan run my DMP for me.

See my sig for details on how happy I was with them !

Tixy

If the SoA shows they cannot afford repayments to their debts after basic living expenses then yes stepchange or any of the other organisations on the list are a good place to seek advice.

IMPORTANT - Where to seek professional impartial advice about your debts.

Or on here of course!

babybaby1

I am using Stepchange and found them very friendly and very helpful. Find the ones that don't charge you a fee. I am not sure I would of got the same response from companies had Stepchange not been involved and it did happen very quickly once the paperwork had been sent.

beware however, that some companies will phone and try to get the money paid, I have removed my phone details from some of the worst and had to put a formal complaint to one company, and today had a phone call from my bank, but did explain that I stated in my letter to commuicate in writing only, and the person was okay with that.

Sazzie23

Hi, you are nice friends, I hope the person with financial problems is able to appreciate your help. There is a big link to mental health problems and debts so its often a difficult time.

I'm with stepchange, they don't judge, don't charge and do some of the leg-work for you. They don't guarantee to stop your interest and you still need to keep track of your debts as the SC totals are only estimates based on your payments.

I'd highly recommend the Stepchange on-line debt remedy, its free, its online and its anonymous if you want it to be. It really makes you look at why you are in trouble with finances. You do need a little prep, such as outstanding debt balances, amounts you pay to gas & elec etc, bit like the SOA.

Hope it helps, other places to look for help are Christians against debt (I think that's what its called), pay plan, NEDCAB and any union that they may be a member of.

vanoonoo

thanks everyone - very much appreciated - asking companies to deal in writing is a great idea and the links and ideas about other places to get help is really useful, as is knowing the stepchange are legit! We're off on the SoA journey this weekend and hoping that we get the full picture but not sure at this stage what we're really dealing with or if we'll get the full truth so it's baby steps at this stage and I am slightly scared as I don't think our friend really knows the full picture we're very much at the start of the journey but if we make any head way I'll try to post here letting you know how we're doing.


Once again - very much appreciated and good luck to you all in your DFW journeys too x

Sazzie23

From experience the actual experience of realising how much debt you owe is quite startling and scary, you sound lovely friends and I'm sure you really just want to help but I think it had of been me, I probably would have wanted to the floor to swallow me up and I would have got quite stroppy with anyone who wanted to help me.

Just wanted to warn you as I think it'd be horrid to spoil your friendship over this.