Money & Debt Advice
Aberdeen
Aberdeen City Council Financial Inclusion Team
A free, impartial, confidential service to help the people of Aberdeen City with a focus on helping households to increase their disposable income, manage their debt, remain in their homes and improve their budgeting skills.
- Get benefits and money advice
- Contact the Benefits & Money Advice Team
Advice line Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5.00pm Telephone 01224 069769
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Aberdeen Foyer
We can help with managing your money!
The Financial Inclusion team provide free, confidential, and impartial money and budgeting advice to people aged 16 and over. Our aim is to help people gain control of their finances, to self-manage and improve their financial situation.
- We provide support around benefits, by including a benefits calculation to check entitlement and offer support to complete benefit applications where needed.
- We investigate all available grants and provide support around applications.
- We offer budget plans that are designed to help maximise income and manage money.
- We work closely with energy providers to resolve any issues and can signpost to relevant services when advanced energy advice and support is required.
- Where additional support is required, we signpost to other relevant organisations to offer the best support.
For further information about any of the service we offer please contact outreachnorth@aberdeenfoyer.com
Alternatively if, you would like to make a referral on behalf of someone else, or you would like to make one for yourself please click here and complete our online form we will be in touch.
Marywell Centre, Marywell Street, Aberdeen AB11 6JF
Tel: 01224 212924
www.aberdeenfoyer.com/services/managing-your-money/
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SMART (money advice project)
Our SMART money advice project offers FREE, impartial and confidential money advice to tenants of Grampian Housing Association who are facing financial difficulties.
- Tel: 01224 202934
- Email: smart@grampianhousing.co.uk
- Web: www.grampianhousing.co.uk/en/grampian-housing-association/our-services/smart-money-advice-project
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Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau
Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau gives all clients free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a wide range of subjects, including debt advice: how to manage your debts, improve your financial situation and maximize your income (the debt service is funded for people living in Aberdeen City only).
- Location: 41 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 5BN. While the Bureau is open to the public, there is no longer a drop-in service. Your details will be taken and added to our waiting list to be contacted by an Adviser as soon as possible. Waiting times may vary.
- Telephone: 01224 569 750
- Website: aberdeencab.org.uk/
- For advice: bureau@aberdeencab.casonline.org.uk
- Website: www.aberdeencab.org.uk
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Help with debt
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Debt and money
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Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
Christians Against Poverty (CAPuk). CAPuk is a debt counselling charity that offers local life skill sessions and money courses as well as debt help.
- Calls are free from landlines and mobiles in the UK.
- Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 5pm and Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm
- Call on 0800 328 0006
- Website capuk.org/
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Maggies
Money and benefits
Cancer and its treatments can bring considerable additional costs like transport to appointments, childcare, pet-care or heating costs. You may be too unwell to work – due to the cancer itself, the effects of treatment, the psychological impact of your diagnosis or a mixture of these things.
The main support through this time comes from social security benefits. Some of these will be assessed on household income and savings, but many benefits are not means-tested and can be paid regardless of your financial circumstances. This is on top of any income from work, self employment or in retirement.
Maggie’s can help with money worries
Finding out which benefits might apply to you, and claiming them can feel like navigating through a maze – but we’re here to help. A Maggie’s Benefits Advisor can help you to:
- understand what benefits or other support applies to you if you have cancer or are caring for someone who does
- fill out application forms
- discuss issues that come up as you go through the claims process or if your circumstances change over time.
Visit us: Maggie’s Aberdeen, Elizabeth Montgomerie Building, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen AB25 2UZ
Call us: 01224 645928
Email us: aberdeen@maggies.org
Website: www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-aberdeen/
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Scarf (Fuel Debts)
Over the phone, online or face-to-face we offer information about grants and funding, energy efficiency improvements for the home, fuel debt and billing, and much more.
- Call freephone 0808 129 0888
- Email: info@scarf.org.uk
- Web: www.scarf.org.uk
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Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire Money Advice and Welfare Rights Team
If you live in Aberdeenshire our Money Advice and Welfare Rights Team can provide free, impartial and confidential advice.
- Tel: 01467 538555
- Email: welfare.rights@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
- Submit an online referral – www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/benefits-and-grants/money-and-welfare-advice
- Address: PO Box 18533, Inverurie, AB51 5WX
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Citizens Advice Bureau – Kincardine and Mearns
- Helpline: 0800 028 1032
- Contact us: www.kamcab.org.uk/contact-us
- Address: Ground Floor, Sheriff Court Building, Dunnottar Avenue, Stonehaven AB39 2JD
- Laurencekirk Outreach and Portlethen Outreach Tel: 01569 766578
Citizens Advice Bureau – North West Aberdeenshire
- Bureau directory: 01888 562495
- Contact us: nwacab.org.uk/contact-us
- Address: Masonic Building, Gladstone Terrace, Turriff AB53 4AT
Citizens Advice Bureau – South West Aberdeenshire
- Bureau directory: 01224 747714
- Outreach Banchory Office: 01330 825551
- Contact us: www.swacab.org.uk/contact-us
- Address: Suite 2, 1st Floor Offices, Westhill Shopping Centre, Old Skene Road, Westhill AB32 6RL
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Moray
Money Advice Moray
Our Money Advice Moray team help Moray residents with money advice and welfare benefits. The team includes a combination of Money Advisers, Welfare Benefit Officers and Income Maximisation Officers. It is free, confidential and non-judgemental.
Money Advice – can help anyone who is struggling with debt – this can be credit cards, loans, Council Tax, rent, mortgage payments etc. Please click here for more information and how to contact us.
Welfare Benefits – can help you challenge a decision on your disability benefits if you think it’s wrong. Please click here for more information and how to contact us.
Income Maximisation – can complete a full benefit check to ensure you are receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to, help you to complete the benefit application form and also help with budgeting. Please click here for more information and how to contact us.
How to contact us
- Call 0300 123 4563 and ask for Income Maximisation.
- If you’re a support service and want to make a referral please complete the attached referral form and return it to the email address on the form.
- Referral Form (PDF) or Referral Form (Word)
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National money advice service
Advice Direct Scotland
To access money and debt advice from Advice Direct Scotland, contact their freephone helpline on 0808 800 9060, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. You can also contact them by email info@advice.scot or you can chat online
StepChange
StepChange is a national debt charity providing free debt advice and access to formal debt solutions. You can visit their website to find out more about them, or give them a call on 0800 138 1111, weekdays from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 4pm. When contacting them, please tell them you’re based in Scotland so they can connect you to their Scottish team as debt solutions options in Scotland are different from the rest of the UK.
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Debt options
Debt Arrangement Scheme
DAS is a statutory debt management plan and it is important to note that it is not insolvency. Someone in a DAS will repay their debts over an extended period of time. Through DAS, all interest, fees, and charges are frozen and you are protected from creditors taking any legal action over your debt. Your money adviser will be able to determine if DAS is the right option for you.
Guide to the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) and how to apply.
www.mygov.scot/browse/money-and-tax/money-and-debt-advice/debt-solutions/das
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Minimal asset process (MAP) bankruptcy
A MAP bankruptcy is a type of bankruptcy designed for people with low income and little to no assets. To qualify for a MAP, you must not own property and have either been receiving benefits for six months, or have no disposable income. You can only apply for a MAP through an approved money adviser and you can’t have debts of more than £17,000.
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Voluntary agreement direct with creditors
This is where you set up an informal repayment schedule with your creditors. It means that you’re in control of your finances but it does also mean that you have to negotiate with all your creditors and if you aren’t able to keep to your repayment plan there is nothing to stop them taking action to recover the money you owe them.
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Write-offs
In exceptional circumstances where you have no available income, savings or assets, it might be possible to ask your creditors to write off your debts. However, you must be able to show your creditors that your circumstances are unlikely to improve in future – for example, if you’re severely ill.
To find out if this solution could be suitable for you, talk to a free debt advice service
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Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy in Scotland is known as sequestration. This is a form of insolvency which is generally only used as a last resort when someone is unable to pay their debts. A person can enter into sequestration voluntarily or because a creditor has initiated the process. A creditor(s) has to be owed a least £3,000 before they can sequestrate someone.
Guide to bankruptcy and how to apply
www.mygov.scot/browse/money-and-tax/money-and-debt-advice/debt-solutions/bankruptcy-category
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Protected Trust Deed
In a Protected Trust Deed you normally make reduced payments over four years, after which any remaining debt is usually written off. A trust deed can become protected if the majority of creditors agree to its terms. This means that creditors can’t take action to recover the money you owe or to make you bankrupt. Your assets and financial affairs will be looked after by a trustee for the duration of the protected trust deed.
Guide to trust deeds and how to apply
www.mygov.scot/browse/money-and-tax/money-and-debt-advice/debt-solutions/trust-deeds
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Offer in full or final settlement
If you have a lump sum that would cover part of your debts, you could ask your creditors whether they would accept a part payment and allow you to write the rest off.
Or they might allow you to make monthly payments for an agreed period, after which the balance is written off.
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Money Guiders Programme
Money and Pensions Service free programme
If you ever have money conversations with your customers, our free programme will help you to help others.
When people reach out for help, money guidance is often given alongside wider support. This self-development programme helps organisations or individuals to confidently talk about money with their customers and give safe, effective guidance. It’s government backed, proven to work and UK wide. There are lots of ways to get involved.
maps.org.uk/en/our-work/money-guiders
Meaning of advice and guidance
We recognise the word ‘advice’ has different meanings in different contexts. In the context of money, giving “Advice” is a regulated activity. Only firms that are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) can offer this.
The Money Guidance Competency Framework is for non-regulated money guidance. A helpful definition of the difference of guidance and advice is below*
Guidance
- Guidance is an impartial service which will help you to identify your options and narrow down your choices but will not tell you what to do or which product to buy; the decision is yours.
- Providers of guidance are responsible for the accuracy and quality of the information they provide but not for any decision made based on it.
- Guidance is free unless your provider clearly tells you otherwise.
- Guidance will suggest what you could do.
Advice
- Advice will recommend a specific product or course of action for you to take given your circumstances and financial goals.
- This will be personal to you, based on information you provide.
- Advice will be provided by a qualified and regulated individual or online by a regulated organisation.
- Providers of advice are responsible and liable for the accuracy, quality and suitability of the recommendation that they make, and you are protected by law.
- Advice will recommend what you should do.
Money guidance practitioners do not provide personal recommendations for financial products, or recommendations on a specific course of action. However, money guidance practitioners do need to have a general and broad knowledge of the range of financial products and services available in the market place.
Bank accounts, savings and borrowing
Credit Unions
Grampian Credit Union
250 Union St, Aberdeen AB10 1TN
Tel: 01224 561506
admin@grampiancreditunion.co.uk
St Machar Credit Union
433 Great Northern Road, Woodside, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, AB24 2EU
Tel: 01224 276994
f-credit@fersands.org
Get the right bank account.
There are a range of banks and building societies which offer free basic bank accounts. Visit the bank’s website to find your local branch.
For information on a wider range of bank accounts visit the Money Advice Service website.
Top easy-to-open accounts with no fees and no overdrafts – www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts/
