It’s ‘Talk Money Week’ from November 9 to 13 and Bolton Council’s Money Skills Service is here to help
Talk Money Week wants us to open up more about our money problems and Bolton Council’s Money Skills Service is urging people to contact them for free debt and money advice.
Talking openly about money is better for our health, wealth and relationships and the effect of Covid-19 has made it more important than ever to start conversations about money.
Figures from Talk Money Week indicate that 2.8 million people have fallen into arrears since lockdown with 9 out of 10 adults finding it difficult to talk about money their problems, all of which is leading to anxiety and potential relationships issues and prolonged hardship.
Bolton’s Money Skills Service offers free advice on managing money more effectively with budgeting and identifying any financial grants and assistance that is available.
The service also helps with rent arrears, council tax, energy bills, credit cards and other loans and debts and can negotiate more affordable repayments and assist with court forms, debt relief orders and bankruptcy.
Cllr Adele Warren, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Money Skills service, said: “Money advisors across the country are gearing up to help people deal with debts in the coming months.
“The team recently helped a gentleman from Bolton who has COPD and autism, and was struggling to manage his finances and couldn’t afford to put his heating on.
“He was in arrears with his council tax and water charges and had a magistrates court fine outstanding for not having a TV licence.
“Our advisors established that he wasn’t getting all the benefits he was entitled to and helped him to claim Personal Independence Payment which was backdated and subsequently led to an increase in his other benefits.”
The team also helped the resident with an application for Discretionary Council Tax Relief to reduce his council tax arrears and a Trust Fund Application to United Utilities resulted in a new cooker and almost £1,000 reduction in his water charges with an arrangement to clear the remaining arrears.
Cllr Warren added: “He told us that without our support he would have felt overwhelmed and would have continued to spiral into debt. A family member actually wrote to use saying that our support had immeasurably changed his life.
“While this is such a positive result there are far too many people suffering in silence and we urge them to come forward and talk to us or visit the Talk Money Week website for more information.“
If you or someone you know needs financial help and guidance contact the Money Skills team 01204 33965, or email moneyadvice@bolton.gov.uk.
Follow the Talk Money Week conversation on social media #TalkMoney.