Debt counseling in Neumünster: Waiting list grows, help is missing!

Debt counseling in Neumünster: Waiting list grows, help is missing!

In Neumünster, the situation in the area of ​​debt counseling is heading. In 2024, 877 people turned to the local advice center of the Altholstein Diakonie, which corresponds to an increase of 18 % compared to the previous year. This development shows that the demand for support in financial issues is unexpectedly high. The fact that 16 % of Neumünsteran is considered over -indebted is particularly worrying, almost twice as much as the national average. The situation makes it clear that many people have difficulty keeping their monthly expenses under control and often only in critical situations for advice, such as kn-online.de reported.

The main causes of over -indebtedness are diverse: unemployment, divorces, illnesses, addiction and an increase in mental illnesses contribute significantly to this dramatic development. It is often installment loans and payment services that additionally burden the financial situation of those affected. Almost half of the clients in Neumünster are long -term unemployed people who rely on citizens' money, which further complicated their situation.

waiting times and support offers

Demand leads to long waiting times for consulting dates, which have now risen from three to five to six months. These delays can further tighten the problems of the clients. In consultation, an attempt is made to develop solutions. Diakonie offers support in comparing income and expenses, creating a debt overview and negotiation with creditors. Particularly noteworthy should be emphasized that the advice is free of charge and is aimed at people who are in financial or social problems, as diakonie-altholstein.de explains.

A remarkable innovation is the end of the post office by Postbank at the end of the year, which will affect many people without a bank account. Banks are obliged to offer every citizen a checking account, but in practice there are many depositions facing each other. The job center offers support when visiting the banks to make it easier for those affected to access the basic financial services.

social dimension

The problem of over -indebtedness is closely related to the general social challenges that exist in Germany. The parity poverty report in 2022 points out that the poverty rate is 16.9 %, which affects around 14.1 million people. These figures illustrate the need for increased political action to combat poverty and to support people in difficult life situations, as well as on Schulmerberatung-sh.de. In summary, it can be said that the debt counseling in Neumünster faces major challenges. The increasing inquiries, the long waiting lists and the increasingly complex problems of the clients illustrate that society urgently needs to act here. A well -positioned consultation offer can be the key to help those affected to escape from the debt trap and to lead a stable everyday life again.