Debt can significantly affect your quality of life, however there are many agencies that can help provide long term solutions to debt and help you manage your finances.

 Money and Pensions Service

 The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has guidance to help people manage changes to the cost of living. Its focus is on people who have not yet missed payments on their bills or credit commitments, but who are at serious risk of doing so.  

These resources and tools are aimed at people who: 

• Are struggling to keep on top of their bills and payments
• Have experienced a reduction in income or squeezed budgets 
• Are self-employed 
• Have been or are worried about being made redundant or losing their job 

www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles

Ipswich and District Citizens Advice Bureau

Ipswich CAB is a local strand of Citizens Advice Bureau and addition to their general services, can also offer specialist advice for debt. Their Money Advice Clinic can help you with managing your debts, no matter how big or small.

Tel: 0300 330 1151

www.citizensadviceipswich.org.uk/

Financial Inclusion and Advice Services

Benefits, money and debt advice designed to support independent living. Guidance includes help and advice, changes to welfare benefits, COVID-19 specific support, support for self-employed workers, help for people who pay rent or a mortgage.

Tel:

• FIAS (via General Enquiries) – 0345 606 6067
• Macmillan – 0808 808 00 00

www.suffolk.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/help-to-stay-at-home/benefits-money-and-debt-advice

IBC Tenant Financial Hardship Advice

Guidance, support, and advice for Ipswich Borough Council tenants who are struggling financially.

Tel: 01473 432000

www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/problems-paying-your-rent

Council Tax Reductions & Hardship Funds (Ipswich Borough Council)

Extra help for residents that are finding it difficult to keep up with their Council Tax payments during this challenging time, including guidance on the COVID-19 Hardship Fund.

Tel: 01473 432000

www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/coronavirus-impact-get-help-your-council-tax

Connect for Health (Social Prescribing – part of CAB)

Connect for Health works, in particular, for a wide range of people including those that have one or more long-term health conditions; need support with their mental health; are lonely or isolated; have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

Tel: 01473 298637

www.ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/Localservices/SocialPrescribing.aspx

Ipswich Disabled Advice Bureau

A local, independent, charity working to support people with any form of disability, their carers, families and others in related fields, who live in Ipswich and the surrounding area. Supporting includes the discussion of welfare benefit entitlement, assistance with claim forms, employment issues including jobseeker guidance, representation for appeals, and debt and money management services.

Tel: 01473 217313

ipswichdab.org.uk

Bangladeshi Support Centre

Providing support services to local Bangladeshi people on issues including benefits, Council Tax and Housing, racial harassment and filling-in forms, education issues and training, Level 1 immigration advice.

Tel: 01473 400081

www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk

Suffolk Refugee Support

Advice, advocacy and practical support for asylum seekers and refugees who are settling in Suffolk and particularly the Ipswich area.

Tel: 01473 400785

suffolkrefugee.org.uk

Jobcentre Plus

Offering support and guidance associated with Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Income Support.

Tel: 0800 169 0190

www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus

Eastern Savings & Loans (part of the Credit Union Community)

This service can provide affordable credit union loans. They do not penalise early repayments and they also provide services to help you save money and build up savings.

Tel: 03336 000690

http://www.eslcu.co.uk/

Anglia Care Trust

Anglia Care Trust provides independent advice services, focussing on debt, welfare and money advice as well as training and employment advice. You can make a referral to the service online.

Tel: 01473 618664

www.angliacaretrust.org.uk

National Debtline

A helpline providing free, confidential advice on how to deal with debt problems.

Tel: 0808 808 4000

www.nationaldebtline.org/

Business Debtline

A sister company of the National Debtline. Free debt advice for small business owners.

Tel: 0800 197 6026

www.businessdebtline.org

Stepchange

Free and confidential advice on everything from budgeting to practical plans to help manage debt.

Tel: 0800 138 1111

www.stepchange.org/

The Money Advice Centre

This service provides useful information on getting a Basic Bank Account. This may be a good option if you’ve been turned down for a Current Account and can act as a first step towards opening a different type of account later on.

Tel: 0800 500 5000 (calls cost no more than to standard UK-wide numbers).

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/basic-bank-accounts