New form to support victims of economic abuse

Victims of economic abuse will soon have more help dealing with creditors as 25 banks and building societies are accepting the economic abuse evidence form (EAEF).

The new form means money and debt advisers trained by Money Advice Plus (MAP) and Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) will be able to speak to creditors when someone has experienced economic abuse. Research by SEA estimates that, 5.5 million people in the UK were victims of economic abuse last year.

What is economic abuse?

Economic abuse is when a partner or ex controls your financial affairs and limits access to your money, leaving you isolated and feeling trapped.

It’s legally considered a form of domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act. One in four women and one in six men are subjected to it in their lifetime.

How does the EAEF work?

On average, survivors have debts with five different creditors. Contacting them individually can be retraumatising for survivors who have to repeat their story to each one.

Using the EAEF, advisers will contact creditors and make them aware of the situation while saving survivors from reliving painful experiences. They can explain the impact the abuse has had on someone, so that the creditor is able to provide support.

Fiona Turner, head of vulnerability policy at UK Finance, said:

"The journey to financial freedom for victim-survivors of economic abuse can be complex and challenging.

“Firms accepting the EAEF is positive progress that will simplify the process, reduce the risk of trauma associated with multiple notifications, and enable the victim-survivors to access the support they need."

How to spot economic abuse

Some signs of economic abuse include:

• preventing you from being in education of employment
• limiting your working hours
• taking your wages
• refusing to let you claim benefits
• taking your children’s savings or birthday money
• taking out credit cards, loans or mortgages in your name
• refusing to let you access a bank account

Getting help

Help from charities

If you’ve left a relationship where you were economically abused, you might be struggling financially. To get specialist help, you can contact the financial support helpline on 0808 196 8845.

There are a number of other charities and organisations that can help access grants and provide support, such as:

• National Domestic Abuse helpline
• Refuge
• Women’s Aid
• Respect – Men’s Advice Line
• ManKind Initiative

Government support

The government launched a pilot scheme last year offering one-off payments to help people fleeing abusive relationships. Those who apply will be given either £250 or £500 (if they have children) from the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan.

Financial and charity grants

Some banks and financial organisations also have hardship funds available for customers in financial difficulty or who have left relationships due to abuse.

TSB has an ‘Emergency Flee Fund’ that offers support payments of £50 to £500 to help people fleeing abusive relationships with the cost of travel, clothing and toiletries.

You can search a full list of charity grants available on the Turn2Us website.

Are you entitled to benefits?

If you’re out of work or on a low income, you’ll be able to claim universal credit and there may be several other benefits available to you, depending on your circumstances.

Your local council can help with essential costs too through the household support fund, which offers money towards energy and water bills, food, and essential items.

Each council decides how to spend their fund, so whether you get money paid into your account or vouchers will depend on their policy. Check what help is available with your local council.

You might also be entitled to a reduction on your council tax. What you get depends on where you live and your circumstances. Find out what’s available on the government website.

Check what benefits you could be able to get with our free benefits calculator.

Get help with coercive debt

Often, people who flee an abusive relationship are left with debt fraudulently taken out in their name or that they’ve been coerced into taking.

If you’re carrying debts from an abusive relationship, we can advise you on solutions that could be suitable for you based on your circumstances.

All the advice we give is free. Some of our debt solutions are free too, while others have a fee. You can get in touch with us online or give us a call.