Quite a few households already have to spend more than a third of their income on housing alone, and the increases in food costs are well above the general inflation rate.
“There is no relaxation in sight. We are therefore calling for a legal right to debt advice and general protection against seizure of subsistence benefits.”
Christoph Zerhusen, consultant for consumer insolvency at the NRW consumer advice center
If you are at risk of becoming indebted: seek debt advice
The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center is co-hosting the Debt Advice Week, which will offer a lot of information for those seeking help from June 12th to 16th, 2023.
The NRW consumer advice center offers debt and insolvency advice in 13 of its advice centers.
“We therefore know exactly the concerns of those affected. Access to debt advice is very inconsistent across Germany. In some places, only those seeking advice who receive social benefits can receive free advice without any restrictions. That’s why we need a legal right to debt advice.”
Christoph Zerhusen, consultant for consumer insolvency at the NRW consumer advice center
In addition, it is urgently necessary to expand the financing of social debt counseling. The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center is thus supporting the demands of the Debt Advice Working Group, which brings together the leading associations of the independent welfare associations and the Federal Association of Consumer Centers.
Prevent a downward spiral with seizure protection
The North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center is also calling for targeted and needs-oriented government support for particularly affected consumers in the future. What is crucial for the over-indebtedness expert Zerhusen is general protection against seizure of benefits that secure a living, such as state energy aid.
“Without legal protection against seizure, such services will not reach those affected because they are not protected from access by creditors in the event of an account seizure. As long as this is not enshrined in law, a downward financial spiral is inevitable for many households. Then even basic things like electricity or gas can quickly no longer be paid for and energy cuts occur.” Unbureaucratic access to social benefits must be guaranteed. “There should be no energy blackouts in crisis situations, and blackouts must be subject to stricter conditions.”
Christoph Zerhusen, consultant for consumer insolvency at the NRW consumer advice center
Source:
Consumer advice center NRW
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