Please note that PGC does not have a view on the suitability of the CFS for particular clients and PGdebt still allows the classic PGdebt financial statement to be used, or the new CFS version. The choice of system is left with the adviser. The general style and layout of the CFS is the same as the PGdebt classic FS.

Questions about the values of the trigger figures and the principles behind the CFS should be made direct with BBA/MAT. Further information on the CFS, can be found at the MAT web site . Also at the British Bankers Association web site.

Commencing Summer 2008, Money ADvice Trust have introduced their own licensing system for the CFS. This is completely separate from all PGdebt licensing matters. Users should obtain a license (free) from this MAT web site page

Main differences
The main difference with the CFS is that the concept of trigger figures is introduced and consideration must be given to sale of assets.
The trigger figures place limits on what may regarded as normal expenditure, and within these figures, expenditure is expected to be accepted by the creditors without question. It is expected that other groups of creditors will come on board and accept this system in due course.
If the expenditure exceed the triggers, an explanation is required.

Trigger figures
The trigger figures are the upper limit of normal expenditure which the creditors will accept without question. For some years there have been four specific sets of figures covering, Couple with no children, Couple with children, Single person, and Single parent. However in Summer 2008 the system was changed so that the figures would be individually calculated for each client based on the actual number of Adults, children under 14, children over 14, and vehicles, in the family group. The figures are specified by the MAT and PGdebt knows what these are and will calculate the correct values as soon as the Client details page has the family size entered. The figures appear alongside the expenditure groups that they apply to and they can be either viewed or hidden by clicking on a blue box at the top of the screen. If the expenditure exceeds the triggers the background of the offending item will turn yellow and a message appears at the top of the screen.

When the triggers are changed by MAT
The triggers will be changed from time to time by MAT to keep them up to date. PG9 checks regularly using the internet and if new figures are available, the program will be updated automatically. Existing files will NOT be changed. The new triggers will apply at once to all new cases, but existing files will not be updated unless the caseworker decides to do this. Individual files can be updated by right clicking the expenditure screen and following the prompts, there is also an item on the FS menu to do this. If the trigger items remain the same and just the values of the figures change, the update will be easy, however if the structure of the triggers changes, then it may be necessary to re-enter all income and expenditure.

A case file which uses the new triggers system will have a blue background.

Old system triggers
If a client file was set up using the old system of triggers (just the four family groups), the file will be shown with a green background. The old triggers will remain in use for that client until the Caseworker decides to upgrade it to the new figures. Right click on the expenditure screen to start this conversion. All I/E items will have to be re-entered because the two systems are completely different.

Assets
The CFS requires that a note be made of a client's assets and a decision be taken on whether these may be used to re-pay any debts. PG9 has a new Assets screen where these can be recorded. There is a check box to confirm that these have been considered and this box will also appear on the CFS printout.

Budget sheet
The income and expenditure sub-totals are arrived at by adding up every possible item of income and expenditure, as listed on the CFS budget sheet. This budget sheet is fully integrated into PGdebt9 and can be used to enter all figures. The subtotals are done automatically.

It should be noted that all items on the budget sheet and income and expenditure lists are set by MAT and these cannot be changed, nor can extra items be added. The lists cover almost everything and anything else should be entered under "other".