Talk with Us
Our Money Talk Team offers you personalised advice. We provide help through the Scottish network of 59 Citizen Advice Bureaux.
How an adviser can help
Listening and assessing your situation
We ask helpful questions to enable you and us to better understand your issue or issues.
Checking your finances
We can offer a benefits check to maximise your income, assess your current outgoings to ensure you're not paying more than necessary, and take a closer look at any debts you may have.
Providing information & advice
Based on your individual situation, the adviser will offer tailored advice and clearly outline options available to you.
Giving you the support you need
The adviser will help you create a plan for your next steps and give support when you need it. This may include help with benefit applications, drafting letters for creditors, or calling someone on your behalf.
How the service works
Get in touch with your local bureau
Three ways to get in touch
Virtual assistant
Most bureaux offer telephone and face to face appointments. You may be able to access advice via other channels, such as video conferencing, email or webchat.
Your local bureau will arrange an appointment
How appointments are arranged
You might speak to your bureau directly (on the phone or face to face), or leave a message to request contact (on voicemail, email or through our virtual assistant).
If you have requested a bureau to contact you, you can expect to receive a call or email within a few working days although response time may vary across our network.
When speaking to your local bureau they will ask you a few initial questions in a short conversation to find out more about your situation, before discussing options including booking you a dedicated appointment time with an adviser.
Your appointment with an adviser
About your appointment
Depending on your situation you may speak to a trained generalist adviser or a specialist benefits or debt and money adviser.
The length of the advice session will depend on the complexity of your issues but you may find it helpful to allow 30-60mins. For cases including complex debt advice where form filling is required more time may be needed.
Preparing for your advice session
It will help to have any relevant documents to hand.
Here's a Benefits Checklist (PDF) to help you prepare for your appointment.
Here’s some advice on how to collect information about your debts.
Whilst you’re waiting for your appointment you may find our online information helpful.
Get advice
Your adviser will
- Will help you to assess your situation
- Outline and explain options available to you and help you plan next steps
- Provide tailored support such as with completing forms or letters
- Ask you to provide extra evidence to support you further
- Book a follow up appointment with you if needed
- Refer or signpost you to any extra support you may need