MARCH 2002 - MARCH 2004
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National Debtline
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| Free, confidential, independent advice | Monday to Friday | 9.00am - 9.00pm |
| Saturday | 9.30am - 1.00pm |
Also 24 hour voicemail service
THE SERVICE
National Debtline was launched in 1987 and is currently taking
part in the DTI/Money Advice Trust Debtline pilot. The helpline offers
expert advice via the telephone and email,enabling clients to deal
with their debts in an informed and proactive way. It is a unique
national telephone helpline, offering both self-help solutions and
debt management programmes to people in multiple debt.
Clients following the self-help route receive guidance and motivation from specialist advisors and all advice is backed up with comprehensive written material. This includes our do it yourself information pack "Dealing with your Debts". The Pack explains how to:
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Work out a personal budget
- Deal with priority debts
- Work out offers of payment
- Deal with court procedures
In addition to the information pack NDL produces a range of specialist factsheets on specific issues such as magistrates court fines and bankruptcy, A dedicated information pack and set of factsheets are available for clients from Scotland. Clients can also access NDL's self-help information via NDL's website and the service can also deal with enquiries via email. When a client wishes to deal with their debts through a Debt Management Plane, NDL is able to assist them in setting this up.
As part of the DTI/MAT pilot, callers from Cornwall who need face to face advice will be directly referred to our Cornish home visiting service.
THE BENEFITS
National
Debtline provides a vital lifeline for people who find themselves
having to deal with the consequences of debt. As a telephone and email
service we offer:
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A service for those living in areas where specialist money advice is not available
- A service for those who for a variety of reasons wish to deal with their debts themselves
- A service for those who cannot access a local advise centre - they may be housebound, work during the day or feel too embarrassed to speak to someone face to face.
We do not see telephone advice as a replacement for face to face advice. Rather it offers a complementary service, meeting different client needs and helping reduce the pressure on casework services.
A QUALITY SERVICE
To ensure that a high standard of service is maintained all NDl advisors
receive an intensive induction and training period when they join the
service. Training is given in all aspects of money advice and welfare
benefits. In addition advisors receive training in how to advise via the
phone and email. All advisors receive regular supervision, and support
from colleagues is always available. The service has set policies and
procedures in place to ensure that all callers receive the same high standards
of service and NDL (Birmingham) has been awarded the Telephone Helplines
Association Quality Mark.
THE MONEY ADVICE
TRUST/DTI PILOT
NDL is currently taking part in this piot which has enabled the service
to increase both its opening hours and staffing levels. National Debtline
will have three locations and is intended to measure a variety of outcomes.
FIFE
BIRMINGHAM
CORNWALL - will provide peripatetic money advice - appointments will be
made via the Birmingham contact centre. This will be the first time that
NDL has been involved in direct referral and we will measure the success
of this and also establish how a service can best provide advice in a
mainly rural area.
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Don't
forget, you can also get friendly, helpful advice on all financial matters
from
Penwith Credit Union
