The SFS purpose
The SFS was created to provide a consistent, evidence-based framework for household budgeting in debt situations. It replaced multiple earlier tools that different debt help organisations used.
It uses trigger figures — agreed reasonable expenditure amounts based on household composition, adjusted for factors like child care and health.
Creditors participating in the Money Advice Liaison Group agreed to use the SFS as the standard reference.
What the SFS includes
Full income assessment: wages, benefits, pensions, other income.
Priority expenses: rent/mortgage, council tax, utilities, food, transport, essential insurances.
Non-priority obligations: existing debts, subscriptions, other regular commitments.
The result: your calculated surplus income after essentials — the amount available for debt repayment.
Using the SFS in debt negotiation
When you propose reduced payments to creditors (whether informally or in a DMP), attach an SFS.
Creditors familiar with the SFS accept it as a reasonable framework. Non-SFS budgets can be challenged.
Free debt help providers routinely use the SFS. Fee-charging DMP providers must also use it under FCA rules.
Trigger figures
The SFS specifies trigger figures for expenditure — reasonable amounts based on household composition. If your actual spending is above the trigger figure, the creditor may query.
This is not an absolute limit — you can spend more than the trigger with a good reason (specific medical need, essential travel etc), and the SFS allows for this.
Where to get an SFS
StepChange, Citizens Advice, MoneyHelper and National Debtline all have SFS tools available online.
The SFS is not a paid product — the tools are free.