Annie's Story

Annie had been worried for months about her income. While she’d always had a good job and worked hard to help her neighbours when they were on hard times, she’d fallen ill. She had managed to get some support through Adult Disability Payment when she took some time off work, it wasn’t going far enough. Credit cards had helped paper over the gaps, but now the payments were due and she couldn’t keep up. Ashamed and frustrated, Anne came to Falkirk Citizens Advice Bureau for help.

While the credit card debt loomed in the back of her mind, she first came to us to speak about her ADP, to see if we could help her claim more. It was only when our warm Welfare Benefits Officer helped Annie know we didn’t judge her that she told us about the credit card debt, and that she’d just been told she didn’t have a job to go back to.

Fortunately, we were able to help with the debt too. Our Welfare Benefits Officer introduced her to the debt specialist in our Money Advice Unit. He reassured Annie that she wasn’t alone, and that she wasn’t the only person dealing with issues like this. Annie had been so stressed about the debt but we were able to take quick action, we were able to go to the courts and get her debt – over £10,000 at this point – written off.

When Annie heard the news she felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. With this huge stress removed she was able to focus on getting better, and getting back into work.