Rems-Murr. Who can help if your account keeps slipping into the red? If you can no longer pay the installments and there is no money left to pay for everyday things like the weekly shopping or new clothes for the children? Many people in the Rems-Murr district are over-indebted and often unable to get their financial situation under control on their own. Debt counseling helps those affected to get by with the money they have available and to reduce their debts.
The district diaconate association is responsible for this in the Rems-Murr district. At six locations, full-time and voluntary experts provide confidential, free advice. There is close cooperation with the municipal debt counseling centers in the district.
From a patchwork to an aid network
In 2022, the district put debt counseling out to tender across Europe and the district diaconate association was awarded the contract to set up debt counseling. “Until then, debt counseling in the Rems-Murr district was like a patchwork quilt. Now the advice for the people here comes from a single source. This is unique in Baden-Württemberg,” says Frank Porrmann, who has been heading debt counseling in the Rems-Murr district for the district diaconate association since last year. For the experienced debt counselor, the merger is a great advantage. “The counselors can quickly exchange professional information and we can easily organize internal training courses,” says Porrmann. The integration into a strong social provider is also an advantage for those affected. “Many people who are over-indebted have other problems. I have colleagues from couples therapy or addiction counseling here in the hallway, so we can quickly form a support network.” The debt counseling team is also in contact with other institutions and social services in order to optimize this support network.
In the first step, the advisors work with those affected to gain an overview of their financial situation. Out-of-court solutions for debt settlement with creditors are sought and the possibility of personal insolvency is presented. The debt advisors also refer clients to other advisory services if they so wish.
At the locations in Waiblingen, Weinstadt, Winnenden, Schorndorf, Fellbach and Backnang, nine employees and five volunteers are currently advising around 500 people. pm
Debt counseling The Rems-Murr-Kreis debt counseling service can be reached by phone at 07151/95919-119 or schuldnerberatung@kdv-rmk.deThe location in Backnang is at Burgplatz 7.
