Skip to content
Navigate by A to Z A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z or full list of Services

Debt Advice Service

Debt Advice Service

The service is based within the Council’s Welfare Rights Service and offers free, independent, confidential advice, support and assistance with debt problems.

For initial telephone advice we would recomend that you contact one of the following organisations.  Their websites are also helpful as they contain useful self-help materials and fact sheets.

National Debtline Link to External Website 0808 808 4000

Business Debtline Link to External Website 0800 197 6026

Payplan Link to External Website 0800 917 7823

Consumer Credit Counselling Service Link to External Website 0800 138 1111

Community Legal Advice Link to External Website 0845 345 4345

Tameside Citizens Advice Bureau Link to External Website 0161 330 2156

If you require face-to-face advice our service can:

  • Check you are getting the correct benefits
  • Draw up a financial statement to see what money you have available, if any, to pay your creditors
  • Check that you are liable for debts owed
  • Advise you what to pay first
  • Negotiate with your creditors
  • Represent you in the County Court
  • Give assistance in the Magistrates Court

How to contact us:

A debt advice surgery is held on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Customer Services, Ashton-under-Lyne, between 9.30am - 12noon. Within this surgery we may be able to help in different ways:

  • By providing ‘one-off’ initial advice that you need
  • By taking on your case and making an appointment
  • By referring you to another agency if we are not able to assist

Appointments are held at the Council offices and home visits are also carried out if you cannot attend an appointment due to ill health.

We also have a debt adviser based at the Housing Options Centre. This adviser deals with cases where there is a risk of homelessness in respect of rent or mortgage arrears. They are also the local contact for the government's mortgage rescue scheme.  Contact 0161 331 2700 and ask to speak to the debt adviser.

The Legal Services Commission Link to External Website provides some of the funding for the service. In order for us to take on your case we will need to see:

  • Proof of all income you receive dated within the last month such as wage slips, bank statements or letters from Jobcentre Plus/Pension Service or Tax Credits.
  • Proof of any savings that you have.

Worried about your gas or electricity bill?

View our page of energy saving tips and our guide to the best tariffs

Contact Information
Send us a Message Send us a Message
Contact by post

Welfare Rights
Tameside MBC
Council Offices
Wellington Road
Ashton under Lyne
Lancs
OL6 6DL

View local map Map image
Contact by Telephone
0161 342 3494
Contact by Fax
0161 342 2168


Page last updated: 25 February 2010