Notes for Guidance - Common Financial Tool

7.1 Money advisers/trustees should obtain evidence of expenditure relating to home and mobile phone contracts. This should be available from sources including original correspondence/billing from the company, on-line account information or through other evidence such as the purchase of pay as you go top up credits.

7.2 It may be more difficult to verify pay as you go credit than contract information, but information should be available from bank statements or the mobile phone company records.

7.3 If mobile phone costs are high, the reason for this should be explored and consideration must be given as to whether the existing expenditure is allowable or sustainable in the future. Where trigger figures are breached, evidence must be obtained and options to reduce future expenditure explored with the debtor.