Debt counseling in Bremen is to be expanded – news from Bremen

The debt counselor Sandra Dunker from Bremerhaven speaks in an interview about the effects of Corona and her personal handling of the crisis in her team.

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For recipients of Hartz IV, the Bremen Job Center is initially responsible for debt problems. If and when there is an approval for the help? That depends on a case-by-case examination as to whether the time for the consultation is right. “It can and should of course be taken up and offered in good time if this support is in the context of the integration work in the direction of job or training search”, says Silke Sönksen, coordinator of the job center management. This is currently revising the business instructions. The employees should receive clearer guidelines in order to implement the service according to criteria that are as uniform as possible. At the same time, as Sönksen says, this is intended to “consciously involve greater and early involvement” of certain groups such as women and single parents.

Gillert speaks so far of a rather restrictive interpretation of the job center – for example, if there are addictions or little knowledge of German. However, postponement does not make sense. “The debts are there at the moment. Maybe the account will be compromised. You should tackle that immediately, ”says Gillert. Debt did something to a person and often led to health problems. “It is not uncommon that I hear from those seeking advice that they are no longer able to open the mailbox because it is already overflowing.”

Down to business

Warning of rip-offs

There are also black sheep among the debt counseling services. Expert Sandra Gillert warns that some people are taking advantage of people’s plight. “Lately I have repeatedly had cases where online offers have been used. You really have to be very careful. ”She has often heard that people seeking advice then pay in an amount every month. They assumed that this would repay debts. However: “In reality, a very high cost factor is in the foreground for the consultant.” Sometimes it takes two to three years before those affected are surprised that hardly anything has been paid off of the debts. “There is still business being done with the need. That is really bad. “

On the website of the specialist center for debt advice in Bremen (www.fsb-bremen.de) there is an overview of the contact points. “Those seeking advice can find social and, above all, serious debt advice there,” says Gillert. The specialist center supports consultants in their work, offers further training and is in exchange nationwide. In May, it co-organized the annual conference of the federal debt counseling group – partly on site in Bremen and online.

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