If you are struggling with repayments or household bills, you do not need to deal with everything alone. Free and confidential debt advice is available across the UK.
A trained adviser can review your situation, help you decide which payments need attention first and explain the options available where you live.
Start here
Use the MoneyHelper Debt Advice Locator to find a free debt adviser online, by phone or near your home.
MoneyHelper is backed by the government and its locator covers the whole of the UK.
Find free debt adviceChoose a country to see the services that cover it. MoneyHelper covers the whole of the UK.
Trusted places to get help
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper can connect you with a free and confidential debt advice service. Its locator is a useful first step if you are unsure which organisation to contact.
Use the MoneyHelper locatorStepChange Debt Charity
StepChange provides free debt advice online and by phone. It can review your income, spending and debts before explaining the options that may suit your circumstances.
Visit StepChangeNational Debtline
National Debtline provides free and confidential advice for people in England, Wales and Scotland. Help is available by phone, webchat and its online advice service.
Visit National DebtlineAdvice NI
People living in Northern Ireland can contact Advice NI for free and confidential help with personal or business debts.
Visit Advice NIBusiness Debtline
If you are self employed or run a small business, Business Debtline offers specialist advice about business and personal debts.
Visit Business DebtlineWhen should you ask for help?
You do not need to wait until you have missed several payments. Speak to an adviser if you are worried that you cannot afford an upcoming bill or repayment.
Get help quickly if:
- You have received court papers or an enforcement notice
- You are behind with rent or mortgage payments
- A bailiff or enforcement agent has contacted you
- Your gas or electricity could be disconnected
- You cannot afford food, heating or another essential cost
- You are borrowing again to cover existing repayments
Do not ignore letters with a deadline. Tell the adviser about the deadline when you first contact them.
What should you have ready?
If possible, gather:
- Recent letters or statements from the organisations you owe
- Details of your income and benefits
- A rough list of essential household spending
- Your current account balances
- Details of any missed payments or legal deadlines
Do not delay asking for help because you cannot find every document. An adviser can tell you what information is needed next.
What can a debt adviser do?
A debt adviser can look at your finances as a whole rather than focusing on one repayment.
They may help you:
- Identify priority bills
- Build a realistic household budget
- Check whether you could claim extra financial support
- Understand the debt options available where you live
- Prepare for conversations with creditors
- Consider the benefits, costs and risks of each option
Advice should be based on your circumstances. A responsible adviser will not promise to remove your debts or guarantee that creditors will accept a proposal.
Be careful with paid debt help
Free advice is available, so speak to a trusted free service before paying a debt management or claims company.
Be cautious if a company:
- Contacts you unexpectedly
- Pressures you to act immediately
- Promises to remove most of your debt
- Is unclear about its fees
- Asks for an online banking password or security code
Never share banking passwords, card PINs or one time security codes.
If debt is affecting your mental health
Money worries can feel overwhelming. If you need someone to talk to, call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time.
If you or somebody else is in immediate danger, call 999.
Frequently asked questions
The organisations listed in this guide provide free initial debt advice. Some formal debt solutions can involve costs, so ask the adviser to explain every fee before you agree to anything.
Simply speaking to an adviser does not normally appear on your credit file. Some actions or formal debt solutions may affect it. Your adviser should explain this before you make a decision.
Yes. Asking for help early may give you more time to understand your options and contact the organisation you owe.
This depends on the service and the option you choose. Some organisations can help you prepare what to say, while others may contact creditors as part of an agreed debt solution.
Important information
LoansForBadCreditUK.co.uk is a credit broker, not a lender or debt advice provider. Taking another loan may make financial difficulties worse. If you are struggling with debts or essential bills, contact a free debt advice service before considering further borrowing.