Dealing with debt
Regardless of how much debt you have, there are many ways to get help. There are several agencies that can assist with debt issues. Some of these are listed below:
- Citizens Advice (external link)
- West Lancashire Debt Advice (external link)
- Money Helper (external link)
- Stepchange (external link)
- National debtline (external link)
- Debt support trust (external link)
Priority and non-priority debts
Debts can be classed as either priority or non-priority. This means that priority debts - such as your rent and council tax arrears - can result in you losing your home or belongings. Non priority debts - such as catalogues and credit cards - can negatively affect your credit file.
Below is an example of the priority debts when managing your budget and the consequences of not making payment:
Rent arrears - Losing your home
Council tax - Imprisonment
Gas/electricity - Cut off
Water - County court
Court fines - Imprisonment
TV license - Fine and imprisonment
Options available if you are struggling with debt:
- Debt Relief Order (external link)
- Debt Management Plan (external link)
- Bankruptcy (external link)
- Individual Voluntary Arrangement (external link)
Lending
Knowsley Credit Union adopts a sensible lending policy. Visit the Knowsley Mutual CU (external link) for more information or call 0151 545 3380 to make an appointment.
Loan sharks
Don’t suffer in silence. Report a loan shark problem and get help:
- Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
- Hotline: 0300 555 2222 (can be anonymous)
- Text: text the words ‘Loan shark’ and your message to 60003
A new smart phone app to report loan shark activity is now available. Smart phone app (external link)
Other help available
- Use an online budget planner (external link)
- Download an income and expenditure assessment form (PDF 84kb) to help you plan your budget
- Benefits calculator
- Grants
- Council tenants can benefit from our free budgeting and money advice service
- When can Universal Credit be paid directly to a landlord? (external link)