Money Advice
Free, Confidential, Impartial Advice and Information to help you with your debts
The current credit crunch has now set in, affecting many people so the need for specialist debt advice has increased. Along with life changing situations; loss of job, poor health, relationship breakdown and increasing numbers of house repossessions, the need for people to get help with their money problems when they need it is vital.
Chester CAB has a well established Money Advice Unit that helps deal with people who are struggling to make ends meet. We deal with all types of debt both priority e.g. mortgage or rent arrears, council tax arrears, utility bills and non-priority debts including credit cards, personal unsecured loans etc. Unfortunately we do not deal with business debt where a person is still trading as this is a specialist area within itself and you need to seek advice from Business Debt line that provides a free telephone advice service. Their contact tel number is 0800 197 6026.
The unit consists of 4 full-time members of staff, all of whom are funded by different projects. You can find out more information by clicking on the relevant links below:
Legal Help - For people claiming Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker's and Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit. Also for people who qualify for Legal Help on low incomes.Financial Inclusion/Capability – For people who do not qualify for Legal Help.
Royal British Legion – for people who have a connection with the Armed Forces.
Help in the County Court – need help with a claim for possession by your landlord or mortgage lender.
Because of the different projects within the bureau we need to be sure you are helped by the right person. To do this we need to obtain certain information from you. We have a Legal Help Evaluation Form (download one here) for you to complete and return with proof of ALL of your different sources of household income ie wages and benefits. We also ask if you have had or have any connection with the Armed Service or completed national service. We appreciate that this could be seen as a barrier to getting the help you need but it is only for establishing which Money Adviser is best to help you. For instance, if you are a widow/widower and your late husband/wife served in the armed forces you will be referred to our Royal British Legion caseworker. Please click here for more information about the Royal British Legion project and the type of people it helps.
What to do if you need our help:
If you need our help you can do any of the following to get the help you need:
- If you are able to visit the bureau please ask for the Legal Evaluation Form.You will be then required to complete this and return it with proof of ALL your sources of income.
- Telephone our advice line – 0844 826 9690
- Print off both sides of the legal evaluation form from our website, complete it and attach the appropriate paperwork
- Telephone our answerphone service 01244 348449 and leave your name and address and we will send you a legal aid evaluation form. Please leave a clear message. If you want to discuss a debt problem again please leave a clear message with your details and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
- Drop-in during our opening hours and discuss your situation with a generalist adviser.