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THERE ARE TWO KEYS AVENUES TO EXPLORE IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR FINANCES IN FRANCE IF YOU are struggling with debt there are two avenues that may help, depending on the seri-ousness of
the situation: _regroupements de prêts_ and a _déclaration de surendettement_. As in the UK it is possible, via some banks and other financial firms, to group together debts into one new
loan, which should be at an overall more favourable rate. This is called _regroupement de prêts_ (or _de crédit_) or some-times _rachat de crédit_ (referring to the fact that one
organisation pays off your debts and converts them into a new debt to itself). It is especially useful where you have a number of out-standing consumer loans for different pur-chases,
experts say; but it could relate to loans you made for home improvements, to buy a car, credit card bills etc. However it is best to compare several offers, including speaking to your own
bank, as there will be different rates, repayment periods and _frais de dossier_ (set-up costs). Where all else has failed, and you can-not pay your (personal, not professional) debts, there
is the option of applying to the _commission de surendettement des particuliers_. This official body will intervene with your creditors. The process starts with filling in the cerfa
n°13594*01 form which can be found here. This should be submitted, with a signed letter explaining the reasons for the debt problems and current situation, to the _commission de
surendettement_ for your department, by post or in person. It is advisable to take advice on how to do this and potential consequences from the mairie’s centre d’action sociale (welfare help
centre). Help can also be obtained from _maisons de la justice et du droit_ – free legal advice centres. The charity Elizabeth Finn Care can also sometimes help financially Britons and
Irish people facing hardship and/or advise on benefits which may help (French contact, Mary Hughes: 04 68 23 43 79).