Common use of Advice and Assistance Clause in Contracts

Advice and Assistance. 10.1 EK Services welcomes the involvement of welfare and advice agencies in the connection with arrears owed. We recognise the benefits that such agencies can offer to the customer and in respect of prioritising repayments to creditors and maximising income for the customer. 10.2 Information about debt advice will be made available, especially where it is apparent that the customer is in severe financial difficulty. Officers will encourage customers to obtain specialist advice and help, which will include providing details of local and national free, debt and money advice agencies. 10.3 Where the potential for a statutory benefit or discount exists in relation to a particular debt, EK Services officers will ensure the customer is made aware of such opportunities and encourage application. 10.4 EK Services will stress the importance of paying priority arrears before non-priority arrears and will follow the Citizens Advice Bureau’s guidance for priority debts as follows: Priority Debts ● Mortgage or rent arrears ● Fuel arrears i.e. Gas, electric ● Council Tax arrears ● Court fines ● Child support or maintenance ● Income Tax or VAT arrears ● TV Licence Non Priority Debts ● Benefits overpayments ● Credit debts i.e. Loans, overdrafts, hire purchase, credit cards ● Student loans ● Money borrowed from friends or family

Advice and Assistance. 10.1 EK Services welcomes the involvement of welfare and advice agencies in the connection with arrears owed. We recognise the benefits that such agencies can offer to the customer and in respect of prioritising repayments to creditors and maximising income for the customer. 10.2 Information about debt advice will be made available, especially where it is apparent that the customer is in severe financial difficulty. Officers will encourage customers to obtain specialist advice and help, which will include providing details of local and national free, debt and money advice agencies. 10.3 Where the potential for a statutory benefit or discount exists in relation to a particular debt, EK Services officers will ensure the customer is made aware of such opportunities and encourage application. 10.4 EK Services will stress the importance of paying priority arrears before non-priority arrears and will follow the Citizens Advice Bureau’s guidance for priority debts as follows: ; Priority Debts ● Mortgage or rent arrears ● Fuel arrears i.e. Gas, electric ● Council Tax arrears ● Court fines ● Child support or maintenance ● Income Tax or VAT arrears ● TV Licence Non Priority Debts ● Benefits overpayments ● Credit debts i.e. Loans, overdrafts, hire purchase, credit cards ● Student loans ● Money borrowed from friends or family