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Debt advice

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If you're in debt, don't ignore the problem. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get. Take advantage of the free help available to get out of debt.

Some of us get into debt when we stop working because our income drops sharply, yet we still have the same expenses to pay. Changes in circumstances, like divorce, bereavement, illness and disability can also contribute to debt problems.

Make sure you get free debt advice if you need it. Ignore any texts, telephone calls or emails advertising debt advice services. Call Age UK Advice on 0800 169 6565 to find your nearest, free, reputable agency.

Before you go to a debt adviser, gather all the information related to your debts – overdue bills, letters from debt collectors, etc. This will help you and your advisor to list details of all creditors and debts, and decide how to approach them.

Your debt adviser will work in your best interests. They won’t judge you but will explore your debt in detail so they can negotiate with creditors on your behalf and advise you about welfare benefits you may be able to claim.

opens link in new window Use the online benefits calculator to find out if you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to.

Where to go for help

Advice NI
Tel: 028 9064 5919
www.debtaction-ni.net or www.adviceni.net

Citizens Advice Northern Ireland
Tel: 0844 8552104
www.citizensadvice.co.uk

Debtline NI
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)
Tel: 0800 027 4990
www.debtlineni.org

Advice4debtNI
Tel: 0800 917 4607
www.advice4debtni.com

Housing Rights Service
Mortgage Debt Advice Service
Tel: 0300 323 0310
www.housingadviceni.org/repossession-portal-home.html

Rent and rates arrears advice
Tel: 028 9024 5640
www.housingadviceni.org

Free benefit check

If you, or an older person you know needs advice, information or practical support on a wide range of issues including welfare benefits, community care, housing and health, contact the Age NI Advice Service on Freephone 0808 808 7575 to speak to a specialist advisor in confidence. Our advisors can provide a free benefit check to ensure that older people are accessing the benefits they are entitled to. 

Last year our Advice Service dealt with almost 14,000 calls from older people in need. Call the Age NI Advice Service today to make sure that you are receiving all the help and support available to you.

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Age NI Advice:
0808 808 7575
Let's talk money

Let's talk money publications

  • opens link in new window More money in your pocket booklet
    A guide to claiming benefits for people over pension age. (PDF 164KB)

    opens link in new window Pension Credit leaflet
    3 steps to find out if someone you know qualifies for Pension Credit. (PDF 105KB)


      View all Money matters downloads Help with Downloads

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      Most downloads on this website are PDFs. We use this format to ensure that the document looks the same on everyone’s computer (website pages, by contrast, appear differently depending on how people have got their computer set up).

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      The process is quite straightforward and is free.

      1. Go to opens link in new window http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/
      2. Click ‘Download’.
      3. Wait for the window to offer you the option to ‘Run’, then choose this option.
      4. Click ‘Next’.
      5. Click ‘Install’
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      • Open the Adobe online conversion tool in your browser and paste the URL into the URL box.
      • Tick the HTML box on the Format option and click ‘Convert’.


      You can convert a PDF document into a text file for use with other software and hardware such as Braille printers by opening the PDF and choosing ‘Save as text’ from the File menu.

      Age NI Advice:
      0808 808 7575
      Age NI staff

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