Calvin was living with long-term physical and mental health conditions and had become reliant on benefits following the loss of his employment.
Client profile:
Calvin was living with long-term physical and mental health conditions and had become reliant on benefits following the loss of his employment. He was struggling with multiple debts, rent arrears and council tax arrears, alongside the threat of enforcement action.
The combination of financial pressure and his existing health conditions had left Calvin feeling overwhelmed, anxious and unsure where to turn. Adjustments were made to ensure he could engage comfortably with advice, at his own pace and in a way that worked for him.
Reason why the client needed advice:
Calvin approached Citizens Advice Harlow for help managing unaffordable debts of approximately £30,500. He wanted to explore whether a Debt Relief Order (DRO) could provide a realistic route out of debt and give him the opportunity for a fresh financial start.
His immediate concerns were the ongoing pressure from creditors and the risk of further enforcement action relating to his priority debts.
What we have done to help the client:
From the first contact to the successful resolution of his case, the entire process took just four weeks.
We acted quickly to secure Breathing Space protection, giving Calvin immediate relief from creditor enforcement and the space he needed to consider his options without further pressure.
We then carried out a comprehensive assessment of his financial circumstances. This included:
Reviewing his credit reports to ensure all debts were identified.
Obtaining updated balances and information from creditors.
Assessing his circumstances and checking his eligibility for a DRO.
Exploring all available debt solutions with Calvin to empower him to make the right decision for his circumstances.
Working closely with Calvin to ensure every debt was accurately identified and included.
Supporting him throughout the DRO application process through to submission.
By providing clear guidance, reassurance and practical support at every stage, we were able to move Calvin from a position of uncertainty and financial distress towards a clear and achievable solution in just four weeks.
Outcomes achieved:
Breathing Space protection secured, giving Calvin immediate protection from creditor pressure and enforcement action.
£30,409.98 of debt set to be written off at the end of the DRO moratorium.
A clear and realistic pathway to financial recovery and freedom from unaffordable debt.
A significant reduction in the stress and anxiety caused by his financial situation.
Calvin was able to move forward with greater confidence, knowing he had a structured solution in place.
Impact:
This case demonstrates the transformative impact Specialist Accredited Debt Advice can have, particularly when a client is vulnerable and facing multiple pressures.
Through rapid intervention, effective use of Breathing Space protection and a successful Debt Relief Order application, Citizens Advice Harlow helped Calvin move from facing creditor pressure, enforcement action and more than £30,000 of unaffordable debt to having a genuine opportunity for a fresh financial start.
Most importantly, the case was resolved from beginning to end in just four weeks. This highlights how quickly meaningful change can be achieved when clients are motivated to engage and Specialist Advice is available to provide the right support at the right time.
Client’s comments:
“I can't express my gratitude enough, you helped me understand all I needed to and helped get all the documents organised and the application completed. I have been under so much stress and putting my head in the sand. Now I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and a way to go forward with a clear slate”.
NB: Names and certain details have been changed to protect our clients’ anonymity.