People seeking online debt advice have higher debt levels than those calling helpline

3 July, 2013

How you seek help with your debts is often related to the type of debt you have according to StepChange Debt Charity. The charity says that those seeking its help through its online debt help tool Debt Remedy have significantly higher debt levels than those calling its helpline for debt advice. The average debt of someone seeking its advice online is £18,936 compared to £16,425 for its helpline.

However, the charity says that this doesn’t mean that they are more financially vulnerable as those seeking its advice online have a higher average net income, £18,728 compared to £14,526 for those calling its helpline. 

Those using online advice tool Debt Remedy are in a stronger position to repay their debts and have an average of £120 for debt repayments once they have covered the costs of living expenses. This compares to those calling its helpline, whose average monthly income is £4 less than what they need to pay for their basic living costs.

Commenting on the findings, Delroy Corinaldi, external affairs director at StepChange Debt Charity, said: “The reason why there is a difference between those who seek our help online and over the telephone is likely to be that, on average, people who have access to the internet are in a stronger financial position than those who don’t.

“Whatever the difference, the most important thing is that people, whatever their background, debt or income level, are able to access debt advice in a way that suits them.”

StepChange Debt Charity’s free advice tool Debt Remedy is available from its website homepage, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.