Money Buddies provide free and confidential Emergency Debt Advice at centres throughout Leeds.
Emergency debt advice is where a financial crisis if not dealt with immediately will result in a loss of possessions, energy supply, home and may even result in imprisonment. It is important to take action immediately.
The aim of the emergency debt advice is to stabilise your situation, put action on hold, create breathing space with your creditor and help you prepare for a full legal debt advice appointment with a legal debt adviser.
What is an Emergency Debt?
Where you have received:
- Notification of a Bailiff or Enforcement Officer being instructed to come to your home.
- Notice of Eviction or repossession of your home
- Notice of Gas/Electricity disconnection
- Issue of a Statutory Demand
- Notice of warrant of arrest for non- payment of debt
- Notice of attending court for court hearing in relation to debt
What to do in an emergency
- Take action immediately ( do not let a bailiff into your home)
- Call us straight away on 0113 2350276
- If you cannot get through please leave a message with your name and telephone number; we will call you back the next day at the latest- please note when we call back the number will not show on your phone
- Go to see a Money Buddy at an Outreach centre
- Keep any letters, emails, Text messages and paperwork about the debt ( don’t worry if you don’t have them)
- You can also message us on Facebook messenger
What to expect when you see a Money Buddy with an Emergency
- The Money Buddy will be polite and courteous, we do not judge
- We will take your details and ask you some questions so that we can help you
- The Money Buddy will aim to make contact with the creditor and put action on hold
- The Money Buddy will advise you of what to do next
- We will aim to make you an appointment with a debt adviser at Ebor Gardens Advice Centre
- If we cannot make you an appointment we will refer or signpost you to a different organisation
- We will give you a leaflet with important contact details
- We may need to call you back