There are a variety of reasons you could find yourself struggling with debt, many of which can be outwith your control. Below you can find links to organisation that can help you with advice and practical help. Click the links to take you to the section you are interested in:

Help and Advice

What Are You Entitled To?

Mental Health Advice

Help in Your Area

 

Help and Advice

www.stepchange.org
A free confidential service to help achieve realistic solutions to debt problems.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau – providing free, confidential and impartial advice on debt.

www.adviceuk.org.uk
The largest UK network of advice-providing organisations.

www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Helpline that provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.

https://www.businessdebtline.org
Debt advice for small bus

inesses and the self-employed.

https://capuk.org/
Free, award-winning, debt counselling and support may be available in your area.Call their free helpline 0800 328 0006.

What Are You Entitled To?

There are also a number of websites you can check to make sure you are claiming all of the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to:

Money Saving Expert Benefits Calculator
A quick ten minute calculator check to make sure you are getting the benefits you should

www.entitledto.co.uk
Independent benefits calculator

www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk
www.moneyhelper.org.uk
These money advice services offer free and impartial money advice.

www.hmrc.gov.uk
HM Revenue and Customs – information on tax credits and most child-related benefits.

www.gov.uk/browse/working
Supporting people of working age during the process of welfare into work.

www.gov.uk/plan-retirement-income
Providing information for pensioners or people planning their retirement.

www.opfs.org.uk
Information and advice for lone parents in Scotland.

www.ageuk.org.uk
Provides support for older people.

www.litrg.org.uk
Tax help for those on low incomes.

www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/support
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have produced a short video about Universal Credit which you can watch here: There is more information on their website which you can access above.

 

Mental Health Advice

www.breathingspace.scot
A free and confidential helpline for anyone experiencing low mood, anxiety or depression and who needs someone to talk to.

www,samaritans.org
Provides confidential emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

www,rehab4addiction.co.uk
Connect with more than 70 addiction treatment providers located across the United Kingdom. Find treatment clinics in your local area now.

Help Specific to Your Area

Inverclyde Money Advice Service
If you live or work in the Inverclyde area the Money Advice Service offers help and advice for those struggling with debt either over the phone on 01475 715 299 or via online chat on their website.

Independent Food Aid Network in South Lanarkshire 
The team at Independent Food Aid Network have produced a leaflet full of advice and links for anyone needing help in the South Lanarkshire area. Click here for the online form and here for the PDF version.

Working For Families
A website supporting North Lanarkshire families on low incomes, assisting with wellbeing and job hunting. 

Your local authority website can also be a source of advice specific to your area.

 

At Scotwest, we help members who are struggling with their Scotwest loans. If you are experiencing debt problems, make sure that you get help straight away by speaking to your lender in the first instance before it spirals out of control.