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Consumer Credit Counselling Service NI

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is a registered charity whose purpose is to assist people who are in financial difficulty by providing free, independent, impartial and realistic advice.

Based on a proven and successful formula, our specialist advisory service has already helped thousands of people in the UK by providing counselling on personal budgeting, advice on the wise use of credit and, where appropriate, managing achievable plans to repay debts.

Debtline NI is an innovative collaboration between Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI) and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS). In Northern Ireland, LCDI have been a key player in money advice for some years, with an impressive record in terms of clients helped and local contacts. With assistance and support from the Association of Independent Advice Centres (AIAC), the link with CCCS was made and after a successful one year pilot, the service was officially launched in October 2002 by Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Operating from the former Roe Valley Hospital complex, which is now owned by LCDI, staff in the Northern Ireland office benefit from the full support of CCCS in terms of resources and training. Most of those who come into contact with the project, whether on a personal or professional level, are impressed by the CCCS model and are convinced that it is the way forward for debt management. In September 2003, the work of the project was recognised with a grant from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland

CCCS is now well established as an important and growing source of money advice and the focus for the repayment ethic.

It is the leading debt management charity in the UK.

How Credit Counselling Works

People in financial difficulties reach us through our 0800 free phone number, or online using CCCS Debt Remedy. Over the telephone, the helpline advisor will perform an immediate assessment of the situation ending in emergency help, self-help material or the offer of a counselling appointment. Through CCCS Debt Remedy, visitors receive online expert debt advice tailored to their individual circumstances.

Whether a client chooses to use CCCS Debt Remedy or has a counselling appointment, CCCS conduct a full review of the credit and debt situation followed by a recommendation. The first priority wherever possible is to allow for essential expenditure, priority debts and living expenses. We will assess whether the client has enough left over to make an offer of repayment to other creditors. If so, creditors are asked to freeze interest, stop penalties and charges, accept a longer repayment period and sometimes a reduced sum.

Such is the quality of counselling that many creditors now accept our repayment proposals without further checking and the repayment records of clients we have counselled are uniquely good. This is because CCCS follow the two key principles of best advice and sustainable plans.

How Online Counselling Works

As some people prefer to be counselled anonymously, CCCS introduced the online process CCCS Debt Remedy in August 2006.

CCCS Debt Remedy performs an immediate assessment of the situation ending in emergency help, self-help material or the option of continuing to an online counselling session. Don’t worry if your details are incomplete as you can save where you are and come back later, and counsellors are available on the telephone to answer any questions.

As with a telephone appointment, CCCS conduct a full review of the credit and debt situation followed by a recommended course of action. The first priority wherever possible is to allow for essential expenditure priority debts and living expenses. We will assess whether you have enough left over to make an offer of repayment to other creditors are asked to freeze interest, stop penalties and charges, accept a longer repayment period and sometimes a reduced sum.

Such is the quality of counselling that many creditors now accept our repayment proposals without further checking and the repayment records of clients we have counselled are uniquely good. This is because CCCS follow the two key principles of best advice and sustainable plans

Who Uses Credit Counselling

Over-indebtedness largely results from a change in financial circumstances, caused by reduced income or overuse of credit, although relationship problems and changes in employment status are also common causes. Because of this, our clients are from all walks of life and we are able to offer help and advice to those on high incomes as well as those on low ones. A typical client on a repayment plan is mid-30's, married with children with an average debt of £24,000.

Our FREEPHONE helpline is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.