Debt advice for veterans
The Joining Forces programme has now ended
Joining Forces was an Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust supported programme in partnership with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. It was delivered by 12 local projects across England by local Age UKs and SSAFA branches. After 3 successful years, the programme has now ended. Many of the pages in this section will still be useful for information and advice. Alternatively, you can look at the relevant sections of the Age UK website.
Anyone can get into debt. Please don't be scared to get in touch - there's always someone who can help.
When should I ask for help about debt?
There are no hard and fast rules. However, it might be time to get help if you notice one of the following:
- you regularly worry about money
- you're struggling to pay your household bills or paying them with credit
- you rely on your overdraft or credit card to get by
- you're missing credit card repayments
- you've started to hide your spending habits from your family
- you avoid letters and calls from your creditors.
Who can I talk to?
You shouldn't ever need to pay for debt advice. There are a lot of free options out there, most of them charities, specifically set up to help people who need help.
Any of the following charities can help you.
- Citizens Advice offers help face-to-face, by telephone or by email
- Debt Advice Foundation provides free debt advice and support
- Shelter provides advice about housing and homelessness, including managing debt, and dealing with possible eviction or repossession
- National Debtline can send you a free self-help information pack
- StepChange Debt Charity provides advice online via its Debt Remedy advice tool
What will they need from me?
When you talk to someone about the specifics of your situation, the following are useful to have ready.
- your income and expenses so the adviser can help you complete a budget.
- your circumstances, such as whether you own your home, so they can understand your personal situation and discuss what options might suit you best.
- your debts and creditors so they can advise you on the options for dealing with them.
- all your options and identify what steps to take next.
- if any of the debts belonged to a spouse, partner or civil partner who has died
- if your debts come from signing an agreement or a loan that you didn’t properly understand
- bank statements for the past 3 months
- how much you owe and to whom
- any letters or demands from your creditors
- how old your debts are.
Benefits advice
There's financial help available if you're on a low income.
For more information call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 678 1602.
We’re open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.
Partnering with SSAFA
As part of Joining Forces, Age UK is partnering with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, to deliver 12 local projects across England.