Debt

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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.

Loan Sharks are Illegal poster

Loan Sharks

If you are struggling with debt, please don't be tempted to use a Loan Shark. Loan Sharks are illegal and we want to stop them. Please report them:

Tel: 0300 555 2222
Text: 07860 022116
E-mail: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Website: Stop Loan Sharks

Responsible Finance with CDFIs

Find out about Community Development Finance Institutions

Money and Pensions Service

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has guidance to help people manage changes to the cost of living for 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: 

Citizens Advice Ipswich

Call 0808 278 7867  Citizens Advice Ipswich – Citizens Advice Ipswich

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.

IBC Tenant Financial Hardship Advice

for Ipswich Borough Council tenants who are struggling financially.

 https://www.gov.uk/welfare/entitlement

Tel: 01473 432000

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

Connect for Health 

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.

Social prescribing and community outreach services - NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB

Tel: 01473 298637

Ipswich Disabled Advice Bureau

The Ipswich Disabled Advice Bureau is 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

Bangladeshi Support Centre

Providing support services to local Bangladeshi people about benefits, Council Tax, housing, racial harassment with help filling-in forms, education support and training plus Level 1 immigration advice.

Tel: 01473 400081

Suffolk Refugee Support

Advice, advocacy and practical support for asylum seekers and refugees settling in Suffolk.

Tel: 01473 400785

Jobcentre Plus

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

Tel: 0800 169 0190

Eastern Savings & Loans

This service, part of the Credit Union Community, can provide affordable credit union loans. They do not penalise early repayments and will help you to build up your savings.

Tel: 03336 000690

Anglia Care Trust

Anglia Care Trust provides independent advice services, focussing on debt, welfare and money advice as well as training and employment advice, by online referral.

Tel: 01473 622888

National Debtline

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

Tel: 0808 808 4000

Business Debtline

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

Tel: 0800 197 6026

Stepchange

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

Tel: 0800 138 1111

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.

Contact Details

Ipswich Borough Council
Grafton House,
15-17 Russell Road,
Ipswich,
IP1 2DE

Telephone icon

01473 432000