A CHARITY has received funding to hire additional debt advisers after it was revealed almost half of the city's residents are seriously struggling to pay bills.
Last year, the Government-funded Money Advice Service (MAS) published a report entitled "Indebted lives: the complexities of life in debt".
It found 43 per cent of people in Hull were over-indebted and/or seriously struggling to pay their essential bills, but many were not seeking advice on how to deal with money problems.
Now, after receiving £156,000 of additional funding from MAS, Hull and East Riding Citizens Advice Bureau has been able to hire three more debt case workers at its offices in The Wilson Centre, in Alfred Gelder Street, city centre.
Anne-Marie Benson, a specialist manager at the charity, said: "The report showed Hull was the local authority with the highest number of people struggling to pay their bills anywhere in the country.
"This cash has enabled us to take on extra debt case workers, taking our team to ten. We can now offer help to more people.
"We can deal with cases as simple as someone having a few small debts, where they want to agree a repayment plan, right up to helping people represent their case in court if their property is being repossessed for rent or mortgage arrears.
"In appropriate cases, we can assist clients to become formally insolvent to write off remaining balances for a fresh start."
Ms Benson said financial problems can have profound effects on a person's health and wellbeing.
"Debt and money worries can often cause people stress, worry and anxiety and sleepless nights," she said.
"But people often struggle on for years without seeking help with debts.
"Many get into an ever-increasing spiral of debt that may seem impossible to free themselves from."
On average, 340 people a month ask Ms Benson and her colleagues for help dealing with debt.
"Often it is a change in life circumstances that mean people get into a spiral of debt," she said.
"Someone in the household might lose their job, a family member might fall ill, or a relationship might end.
"These financial strains build up and people or families who were previously coping suddenly start feeling the burden and struggle to pay their rent or mortgage, household bills and even for food and clothes."
Some turn to payday loans, with high interest rates, as a way of making ends meet.
Ms Benson said it is vital those struggling with debt seek quality, free advice and avoid debt management companies.
She said: "Unfortunately, we have seen examples where people are paying as much in fees as they are in paying off the debt.
"Our advice is free and confidential and we are trying to publicise our services in the Hull area."
Anyone wishing to make an appointment to visit a debt case worker is asked to call 01482 226859.
