Money may not be the heart of social work—but how we handle it is still impactful and should be informed by ethical principles. Section 1.13 of the NASW Code of Ethics addresses the responsibilities social workers have when setting fees, handling payment, and navigating bartering or outside compensation. Even financial arrangements must reflect fairness, transparency, and respect for the helping relationship.

Here’s the standard, summed up:

1.13 Payment for Services
(a) When setting fees, social workers should ensure that the fees are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the services performed. Consideration should be given to clients’ ability to pay.
(b) Social workers should avoid accepting goods or services in exchange for treatment. Bartering may only occur in limited, culturally accepted situations, initiated by the client, and with clear, non-coercive agreements. The burden is on the social worker to show it will not be harmful.
(c) Social workers should not charge extra fees to clients for services they are already entitled to receive through the agency or employer.

What It Means in Practice

This section reminds social workers that financial ethics are client-centered—not profit-centered. While it’s okay to be paid fairly, every part of your fee structure and payment process must reflect:

  • Equity

  • Respect

  • Informed consent

  • Professional boundaries

It’s not just about what’s legal—it’s about what’s ethical.

Key Guidelines

(a) Set fair, reasonable, and client-sensitive fees

  • Match fees to service scope, complexity, and community norms

  • Discuss fees before services begin

  • Adjust or offer sliding scale fees when possible for clients with financial hardship

  • Document all financial arrangements clearly

(b) Be extremely cautious with bartering

Bartering (e.g., therapy in exchange for childcare or art) is:

  • Ethically discouraged due to the risk of blurred boundaries, coercion, or future conflicts

  • Only allowed when:

    • It’s a culturally accepted local practice

    • The client initiates it

    • It’s fully voluntary and documented

    • The arrangement clearly avoids harm or power imbalance

    • The social worker can prove it won’t affect treatment integrity

(c) No double billing or private side deals

  • If your client is already entitled to free or covered services through an agency, you may not charge them privately for the same services

  • This includes asking for tips, donations, or “under-the-table” fees

  • Always check your agency policies before accepting outside compensation

Practice Question

Here's how this section of the code may show up on the ASWB exam:

A client at a rural community clinic offers to provide weekly meals from her family’s catering business in exchange for therapy services. She explains that bartering is common in the area and that she cannot afford to pay in cash. What is the most ethical response?

A. Decline the offer and require payment before continuing services

B. Accept the meals as long as the social worker personally enjoys them

C. Explore the option further, ensuring it’s culturally appropriate and not coercive

D. Accept the offer only if the client provides a written guarantee that services will not be affected

While bartering is discouraged, it is not outright forbidden. The ethical course is to carefully assess the cultural context, client’s willingness, and risks—then proceed only with caution, clear consent, and documentation. The correct answer is C.

How to narrow it down: A ignores cultural context and could deny access to necessary care. B is flippant and disregards ethical boundaries. D creates an unrealistic standard and shifts too much responsibility to the client

Looking for more questions like this? Practice with SWTP’s full-length exams—realistic, challenging, and focused on what you’ll actually see on test day.

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May 21, 2025
Categories :
  ethics  
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