Debt Toolkit (includes the Money advice self-help pack)
If you are having problems making ends meet or paying your bills this toolkit is for you. It explains the steps you can take to sort out your money problems. Although there is no easy answer, acting NOW will stop the situation getting worse.
The toolkit is broken down into steps and the contents are summarised below.
You can read the individual sections in any order, but they have been designed to be a step by step guide and is likely to be more useful to you if you follow through the headings in order. The document is called 'Money advice self help pack' and is avaiable near the bottom of this page.
Contents of the Debt Tookit include
1. Step 1: Income and expenditure
How much money do you have coming in: Working out how much money comes into your household is the first step towards completing a personal budget. You need this to work out how much money to offer creditors (the people you owe money to).
Maximising your income : One of the most important things you can do to help sort out your money problems, is to make sure you are getting all the income you possibly can. There are a number of ways you may be able to do this – here are a few suggestions.
Where does the money go: In this section, you need to work out how much money you and your family spend on living expenses.
How much is left over: In this section we look at what money is left after working out your essential living expenses.
2. Step 2: Tackle the most important debts first – priority creditors
Mortgage arrears
Rent arrears, if you are a Council tenant
Rent arrears, if you pay rent to a private landlord or Housing Association
Gas and Electricity
Council Tax
Income Tax/National Insurance and VAT arrears
Magistrates Court fines
Arrears of Child Support
TV licence
Hire purchase or conditional sale
Benefit overpayments and Social Fund Loans
3. Step 3: More debts? – credit or non-priority debts
You may have debts other than priority debts where the creditor hasn’t got extra powers (for example, they cannot take your home). All these debts grouped together are commonly called non-priority or credit debts.
4. Step 4: Help, the bailiffs are coming!
This section looks at the powers of a bailiff.
Downloadable documents
| Icon | Name of file | Size | Download time |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Money advice self help pack | 3763 KB | 20secs @ 1.44Mbps |
Contact information
If you want to contact us regarding the content of this page please contact us at:
- enquiries@southampton.gov.uk
- 023 8083 2339
- Welfare Rights, Southampton City Council, Southbrook Rise, 4-8 Millbrook Road East, Southampton, SO15 1YG
For any other council related enquiries please contact:
- enquiries@southampton.gov.uk
- 023 8083 3000
- General Enquiries Civic Centre, SO14 7LY
