National Lottery Debt Project
Working in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund to support vulnerable clients across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth & Southampton.
We provide an information, advice and casework service to people who are experiencing profound difficulties in managing financial problems including debt and benefit issues, and who may face additional problems such as the threat of homelessness. This support is face to face.
Over the past year the spectrum for vulnerability has become a lot broader than it was pre-pandemic. Clients in need of debt advice are now presenting with more complex needs, predominantly accompanied with underlying mental health conditions and heightened vulnerability in other aspects of their day to day lives.
This project plans to achieve two key outcomes:
- To improve the debt situation of vulnerable clients referred to the project from across Hampshire
- To improve the mental health of vulnerable clients referred to the project from across Hampshire.
If you would like to arrange a debt appointment please contact your local office.
Case Study
Drew attended the debt drop-in following a visit from a bailiff for council tax debt. Their debts had been building for a while but Drew admitted burying their head in the sand. Drew owns two properties and is liable for council tax and utilities on both. Drew realised that they needed support in dealing with their debts during this emotional time and was motivated to begin employment in order to maximise their income..
The Adviser contacted the utility companies to explain the vacant property and supply accurate meter readings and request disconnection. Drew’s account with OVO was actually then in credit and they received a refund of £358 from OVO. The British Gas account will also be in credit and the client is expecting a further refund. For the property Drew lives in, the energy debt is on hold and Drew plans to use the refunds to reduce this debt significantly.
Drew had well over £3000 of council tax debt. The Adviser contacted the council who initially asked for quite high repayments to be made to the accounts. The Adviser was able to negotiate with them successfully to bring them down to an affordable amount. Drew was very happy with this and has already started making payments.
Coming to Citizens Advice has enabled Drew to get the support needed to regain some control over their finances and make great headway with reducing their debts.