AFA- Debt
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As Advice First Aiders, you are not expected to give any Debt advice as you will not have the qualifications or insuramce to give money advice.
The best thing you can do is to help a client face up to their financial troubles, signpost to debt advisers and help arrange letters into order ready for their debt appointment
Because debt advice is categorised as a financial service, only organisations and charities who are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are permitted to provide debt advice.
Providing debt advice unregulated is a criminal offence meaning it can carry a prison sentence as well as the FCA imposing fines and freezing assets
Always signpost a client to trusted debt advice sources only.
Not dealing with priority debts can lead to:
- Losing the home
- Having fuel supplies disconnected
- Losing essential goods and services
- Being imprisoned
| Priority debts | Non-Priority debts |
| · Rent/mortgage arrears · Council tax arrears · Unpaid child maintenance · Gas/electricity · Phone or internet · Income tax/NI/VAT · Overpaid tax credits · Secured loan · Hire purchase goods · Court fines · TV Licence payment | · Credit card / store card · Catalogue · Unsecured loans · Payday loans · Water bills · Money owed to family and friends · Benefits Overpayments · Parking tickets
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- Don’t ignore letters from bailiffs
- If you let them in, they can take your property
- Bailiffs can come in through unlocked doors
- Bailiffs must treat ‘vulnerable’ people with extra care
- Depending on the kind of debt, the bailiff sometimes has the right to force entry with a locksmith
See HERE for more information
As an Advice First Aider, you may be the first person someone is telling about their debt problems. To help you can:
- Treat them with friendliness and non-judgement
- Encourage them to seek help from a debt adviser
- Organise their letters to prepare for a debt appointment
- Help them prepare a budget
At Citizens Advice, we have limited access in-house debt advisers so if a client cannot access other assistance, you may wish to refer a client to us. It is recommended that they try to find debt advice independently first.
Please also signpost to us if:
- If the client has debt issues along with other problems like low income
- The client is unsure if they are responsible for a debt
- The client has had debt advice but needs help understanding this
- The client is facing urgent bailiff action
Signposting Options
