Debt charity launches new service for vulnerable people

People identified as vulnerable, which could be because of their age, mental health or capacity, will be offered extra support such as help with completing forms and undertaking welfare benefits checks.

Where appropriate, CCCS will contact creditors to explain special circumstances, for example if someone is terminally ill.

Run by some of the charity's most experienced counsellors, CCCS expects a significant number of its clients to benefit from its new Debt Advocacy 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.

CCCS managing counsellor Maggie Kirkpatrick, who runs the service, explains why it is needed:

"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. Clients may also be referred to it if they need extra help at any stage of the debt counselling process.