The facts

• One in eight people who contacted the charity during the first half of 2010 for help with their unsecured debts were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
• On average, clients claiming JSA owe £15,412 to five different creditors.
• If these clients were to spend their entire weekly JSA payment on repaying their unsecured debts it would still take them over four and a half years to become debt free, and even then only if the interest on their debts had been frozen.
• The proportion of people in debt (CCCS clients) claiming JSA is almost three times higher than in the general population.

Why does this happen?

Unemployment can devastate the finances of any family and our experience shows that once somebody with few financial options is forced to take out a loan to cover living costs, they are often then trapped in debt for years to come. Thousands of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance are weighed down by some sort of unsecured debt.

What can I do?

CCCS can help you to get out of debt at any stage of your debt problem. We offer free, confidential debt advice to anyone in financial difficulty and as the UK’s leading debt charity you can be sure of sound financial advice.

However, it is important that you start dealing with your debt problem as soon as possible, and that you do not borrow any more money before talking to us. So:

• Don’t take out any more loans
• Stop using your credit cards and adding to credit card debt
• Don’t increase your overdraft
• Don't take out a debt consolidation loan
• Don’t secure any loans against your home

You’re not alone

Remember that there are millions of people in the UK having problems with their debts, so you needn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. If you are suffering under a burden of debt, please don't hesitate to get free, professional debt help and advice from us today.