Publications

Advice NI response to the NI Executive Draft Budget Consultation

This consultation response wishes to express in the strongest possible terms opposition to the proposed Department for Communities budget allocation which includes no allocation for the independent advice sector to support welfare change.

Redundancy: Debts owed to you by your employer - How to claim them from the Government

Despite the recent extension to the furlough scheme, Advice NI is concerned that, sadly, many businesses may find themselves unable to continue trading, or may need to reduce their staffing levels: As a result, many employees may face a redundancy situation.

A Mutual Regional Bank: An Alternative to our Broken System

This paper discusses the concept of a mutual regional bank, an alternative to our current banking options which in their current form do not adequately offer the financial services that meet the needs of ordinary people or the real economy.

Inquiry into Universal Credit 5-Week Wait Consultation Response

The Work and Pensions Committee launched an Inquiry into the Universal Credit wait for a first payment. Advice NI made a submission to the Inquiry and in this paper we provide a summary of the response.

Illegal Lending – The Human Story

In 2018, the UK government announced a new crack down on illegal lending for the first time ever Northern Ireland (NI). This work focused on an educational campaign to raise awareness of the support available for vulnerable communities in relation to illegal lending.

Concerns about digital social security appeal hearings

In light of public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Ireland’s president of Tribunals and The Appeals Service (TAS) have suspended all in-person oral tribunal hearings until further notice. Read the briefing paper from our policy team.

Universal Credit and Redundancy Payments

June 2019

April 2019

February 2019

December 2018

September 2018

June 2018

The independent advice network: Planning and Preparing for a No Deal Brexit

Finance Support Briefing Paper

Finance Support is the unit responsible for managing the new social welfare financial support funds. Read the latest briefing paper from our policy team that covers the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Benefit Freeze

The [Work & Pensions] Committee has compiled evidence that shows that ending the benefits freeze a year early, [in 2019], would lift 200,000 people out of poverty. Read the latest briefing paper on the benefit freeze from our policy team.

Mitigations on a ‘Cliff Edge’

Advice NI, Housing Rights and the Law Centre (NI) today (Friday 30th November 2018) launched a joint report which highlights the approaching 2020 ‘cliff edge’ when funding for the mitigation package agreed as part of the Fresh Start Agreement in 2015 is due to expire.

Business Debtline Service: 11 - DMPs

Business Debtline Service: 9 - Statutory Demands

Business Debtline Service: 7 - Tax Debts

Business Debtline Service: 5 - Limited Company

Business Debtline Service: 3 - Business Leases

Business Debtline Service: 1 - IVAs

Rights4Seniors Supporting Active Engagement Project

Supporting people aged 55+ to go online and access their rights and entitlements

Managing Change Infographic

Advice NI Annual Report 2017

Advice NI Annual Report 2017

Punishing the Self-Employed

Universal Credit in Northern Ireland: Punishing the Self-Employed
December 2016

MASP Evaluation Report 2014

Money Advice Support Programme Evaluation Report 2014

Annual Report 2014-15

Advice NI Annual Report 2015

Which? Launch New 2016 Pension Guide

Which? have recently launched their 2016 guide which should help you become pension savvy, as it explains the pension basics, the significant changes to pensions, explores how to maximise retirement income and what tax bills might look like if you cash your pension all in.

Benefit Sanctions in Northern Ireland Oct 2015

Advice NI has become increasingly concerned about the impact of benefit sanctions as applied by Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) decision makers based on information relating to claimants participation on the Steps to Success employment programme.

Advice NI Response to Community Planning Partners consultation

Advice NI response to Review of Access to Justice and Scope of Legal Aid...

Advice NI Response to the advice strategy consultation Dec 2014

ANI Annual Report 2014

Advice NI's Debt Action NI Annual Report 2013-2014

Between April 2013 and March 2014 Debt Action NI dealt with over 5,200 clients with almost £62.3 million of debt.

NIASC Draft Advice Sector Minimum Training Requirement NEW JUL 2014

NIASC Template Recording Categories v3 Jan14

Food Banks Policy Report

This paper aims to explore the issues and provide a basis for further discussion of the growth of food banks in NI.

Advice NI's Debt Action NI Impact Report 2012-2013

A report into the impact Debt Action NI has had during its first year of operation.

Advice NI response to Tax Free Childcare October 2013

Tax Credits Undisclosed Partner Interventions 2013

Save Money - Reduce Waste

Belfast City Council have produced a factsheet about reducing waste

Advice NI Response to OFT - Power to Suspend Consumer Credit Licences

Welfare Reform Bill Newsletter 3rd of December 2012

ANI Annual Report 2012

Advice NI Social Development Committee evidence

Advice NI Response to WCA Call for Evidence September 2012

2012 May Welfare Reform Update

ANI Social Policy Briefing Paper Tax Credits

ANI Membership Profile Report 2011

Advice NI Social Policy Briefing Paper Sept 11 ESA

Social Policy BP Summer 2011 Cheques

Advice NI Manifesto 2011

Guide to Debt Relief Orders

This guide tells you what happens if you are granted a debt relief order (DRO). It is for general guidance only. If you are thinking of applying for a DRO, you should seek legal or financial advice.

Debt Relief Order Guide - Lithuanian

This guide tells you what happens if you are granted a debt relief order (DRO). It is for general guidance only. If you are thinking of applying for a DRO, you should seek legal or financial advice.

Advice NI Response to he Future Regulation of Gambling in NI

Advice NI response to NI Draft Budget Feb 2011

ANI Membership Profile Report 2010

AdviceNI response To Independent Review Lending Code

Advice NI SMI Briefing Paper September 2010

Dealing with Mortgage Arrears

When you miss payments on your mortgage or you feel at risk of missing payments, you should contact a Debt Action NI advisor immediately for free money advice.

Refused credit? Reasons and rights.

When you apply for credit, lenders have to make sure that you are who you say you are and live where you say you live.

How to Maximise Your Income

Exploring ways to increase your income may help you to find extra money that can be used to pay your debts.

Hire Purchase (HP) These goods are mine aren’t they?

Hire Purchase is a credit agreement which lets you get the goods right away and pay for them by instalments. A conditional sale agreement is similar. But with both these agreements you do not own the goods until you have paid the final payment.

The Debt Advice Interview

When you decide to contact a debt adviser, they will arrange an appointment for you to come and see them. You should let them know at this stage if you have any special requirements so they can meet your needs.

Preparing for the 1st interview

List of Information required from the client for the first Interview

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is an option that may suit you if you can no longer afford to pay your debts.

SMR Debt Publication June 2010

Debt Advice for People with Mental Health Problems

According to research carried out by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, one in four people will have a mental health problem some time in their lives and one in three people with a serious mental health problem are in debt.

Debt Advice for Older People

Older people and pensioners are among the worst hit during hard times and retired people are finding it harder to manage as savings are eroded and everyday essentials increase in cost.

Debt Advice for Lone Parents

Debt is one of the major causes of stress for lone parents. According to surveys carried out in Northern Ireland, three quarters of single parents are using credit to manage their finances and approximately 40% said they were "always in debt".

Systems Thinking Report the big idea March 2011

VLAS REPORT 2010

Advice NI Response to DSD Guidance to Council

ASA response to DSD Strategy

ANI Annual Report 2008

ANI Membership Profile Report 2007

Housing Affordability EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2007

Advice NI response to Draft Charges Scheme for NI Water Ltd

Advice NI response to CSA Consultation March 2007

Advice NI e-con Housing affordability report

ANI Annual Report 2006

Advice NI response to Developing a Registration Scheme

Advice NI Briefing Paper on DSD Strategy

TaxCreditOverpayments

ANI Annual Report 2004

adviceni RatesReform Oct2004

SSA Benefit take up strategy May 04

advicenet_PensionCredit_report

Targeting Grant Aid in Private Sector Housing 2003

National Insurance Principle Supplemental May 03

Medical Assessments for Incapacity and Disability Benefits Jul 02

Social Security Fraud Act (NI) 2001 jan02

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Replacement Windows oct01

Data matching information across government departments