BANBRIDGE & DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU THE CHARITY FOR YOUR COMMUNITY Joan Davis Manager

MONEY/DEBT ADVICE AIMS: The Money & Debt Advice service aims to provide a Free, Confidential, Impartial and Non judgmental service to the public The Money & Debt Advice service aims to provide a Free, Confidential, Impartial and Non judgmental service to the publicOBJECTIVES: The Money & Debt Advice service is client focused The Money & Debt Advice service is client focused Empowering each individual to break the cycle of credit dependence Empowering each individual to break the cycle of credit dependence Assist each individual to resolve their difficulties in a way that restores self-confidence and dignity Assist each individual to resolve their difficulties in a way that restores self-confidence and dignity Assist each individual to regain control of their situation and prevent a recurrence of their financial difficulties Assist each individual to regain control of their situation and prevent a recurrence of their financial difficulties Assist in the area of preventative budgeting Assist in the area of preventative budgeting

SERVICE PROVISION FOR MONEY AND DEBT ADVICE A ONE OFF GENERAL MONEY AND DEBT ADVICE SERVICE A ONE OFF GENERAL MONEY AND DEBT ADVICE SERVICE A PREVENTATIVE BUDGETING ADVICE SERVICE A PREVENTATIVE BUDGETING ADVICE SERVICE AN ONGOING SUPPORT SERVICE WHOSE GOAL IT IS TO EMPOWER THE INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE CONTROL AND RESOLVE THEIR DIFFICULTIES AN ONGOING SUPPORT SERVICE WHOSE GOAL IT IS TO EMPOWER THE INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE CONTROL AND RESOLVE THEIR DIFFICULTIES A CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICE WHERE COMPLEX DEBT CASES MAY BE RESOLVED A CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICE WHERE COMPLEX DEBT CASES MAY BE RESOLVED

SELF HELP PROCEDURAL GUIDE Self help route for clients who are confident and capable of managing their own debt situation. Self help route for clients who are confident and capable of managing their own debt situation. It is important that we do not take over a situation that the client is capable of dealing with themselves as this goes against our aim of empowering the client It is important that we do not take over a situation that the client is capable of dealing with themselves as this goes against our aim of empowering the client It is considered that the following client categories are not suitable for immediate referral to the self-help programme: It is considered that the following client categories are not suitable for immediate referral to the self-help programme: Clients who have multiple debt with at least one or more priority / statute debt Clients who have multiple debt with at least one or more priority / statute debt Clients with serious health problems which renders them incapable of conducting their financial affairs Clients with serious health problems which renders them incapable of conducting their financial affairs Literacy, numeracy, learning or other difficulties Literacy, numeracy, learning or other difficulties

Complex Debt Resolution Identify the nature and extent of personal debt Identify the nature and extent of personal debt Identify priority and non-priority debts, recognise and respond when emergency action is needed Identify priority and non-priority debts, recognise and respond when emergency action is needed Check for each personal debt the extent of clients’ liability, where this may be challenged and progress with approval of client Check for each personal debt the extent of clients’ liability, where this may be challenged and progress with approval of client Advise on maximising income and where appropriate assist client in making claims for welfare benefits backdated claims and appeals Advise on maximising income and where appropriate assist client in making claims for welfare benefits backdated claims and appeals Assist the client to analyse household spending, draw up an appropriate financial statement of income and expenditure based on client’s needs and priorities. Assist the client to analyse household spending, draw up an appropriate financial statement of income and expenditure based on client’s needs and priorities.

AND Calculate where there is any available income, with offers of payment to creditors on a pro rata basis Calculate where there is any available income, with offers of payment to creditors on a pro rata basis Explain the means available to creditors for collection and the consequences of non payment to include debt enforcement procedures and practices Explain the means available to creditors for collection and the consequences of non payment to include debt enforcement procedures and practices Identify, discuss and agree with the client suitable strategies for responding to their personal debt e.g. using consumer law and insolvency procedures (IVA & Bankruptcy), request debt written off, negotiate repayments and appropriate methods of payment with creditors Identify, discuss and agree with the client suitable strategies for responding to their personal debt e.g. using consumer law and insolvency procedures (IVA & Bankruptcy), request debt written off, negotiate repayments and appropriate methods of payment with creditors On completion of successful negotiations the file should be closed and reviewed if the client notifies the adviser of a change in circumstances. On completion of successful negotiations the file should be closed and reviewed if the client notifies the adviser of a change in circumstances.

HOW MUCH? Citizens Advice report warns that many now face a lifetime of debt New research by national charity Citizens Advice suggests that many people turning to them for help are sinking deeper into overwhelming debt from which it will take them a lifetime to escape A recent report published by CAB revealed debt clients owe an average of £13,153 - almost a third more than they did three years ago, and the equivalent of 17.5 times their total monthly household income. It will take them an average of 77 years to pay off the money they owe at a rate they can afford.

BY WHOM? BY WHOM? 67 YEAR OLD WOMAN OWING £14,000, CREDIT CARDS AND LOANS,IN RECEIPT OF BENEFITS 67 YEAR OLD WOMAN OWING £14,000, CREDIT CARDS AND LOANS,IN RECEIPT OF BENEFITS COUPLE WITH 4 CHILDREN, EXPECTING 5 TH BABY, £138, PRIORITY DEBTS PLUS £25,788 NON-PRIORITY COUPLE WITH 4 CHILDREN, EXPECTING 5 TH BABY, £138, PRIORITY DEBTS PLUS £25,788 NON-PRIORITY COUPLE BOTH IN EMPLOYMENT,NO CHILDREN, £26,514 IN NON-PRIOITY DEBTS COUPLE BOTH IN EMPLOYMENT,NO CHILDREN, £26,514 IN NON-PRIOITY DEBTS SINGLE MAN, COLLEGE LECTURER UNTIL DIAGNOSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA, RENT ARREARS £6290, NON PRIORITY DEBT £3763 SINGLE MAN, COLLEGE LECTURER UNTIL DIAGNOSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA, RENT ARREARS £6290, NON PRIORITY DEBT £3763

HELP 10% OF OUR WORK IS DEBT RELATED, VARIES ACROSS CAB NETWORK 10% OF OUR WORK IS DEBT RELATED, VARIES ACROSS CAB NETWORK REFERRALS REFERRALS PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATIONS