We aim to make our website as accessible as possible. However if you use a screen reader and require debt advice you may find it easier to phone us instead. Our phone number is 0 8 0 0 1 3 8 1 1 1 1. Freephone (including all mobiles).
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We believe everyone should be able to get free debt advice. We also help you to find a way to deal with your debt and will support you along the way.
It is up to you how you get debt advice from us
- You can get advice without having to speak to anyone: You can use our online debt advice tool at any time that suits you
- If you prefer to speak to someone: Just call our friendly teams and they will guide you through the process
Gather details about your income, spending and debts
Make a budget to share with us and the people you owe money to
Use our online debt help tool. You can do this at any time that suits you.
What is debt advice?
When you get debt advice, an impartial expert will look at your finances and recommend ways to get them back on track. They’ll also look at options called debt solutions that could help you deal with your debts. Getting debt advice usually includes setting up a monthly budget, suggesting ways to reduce your spending or increase the money you have coming in, explaining what could happen if you don’t pay your debts, telling you which of your debts you need to pay first, and then going through your debt solutions to explain how they work, how they affect you, and any costs there might be to set one up.
Getting debt advice usually takes about an hour and can be done online over the phone. or face to face. Any information you provide will be kept confidential and shouldn’t affect your credit file or involve any credit checks. And once you’ve chosen the best option for you, you’ll be given a record of your debt advice along with the details of what you need to do next.
Finally, always make sure any organization you get debt advice from is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Chloe on Feefo says:
"Took away the fear."
"Very good - makes it less daunting to face my struggles with helpful and friendly advice and understanding."Get help like Chloe
How to get debt help from us
- No-one needs to know you have come to us for debt help. This does not affect your credit score.
1. You get in touch with us
Whether you get help online or by calling us, the process is the same. We recommend ways to deal with your debts, based on what you have told us about your situation.
Both our online debt advice tool and our advisors guide you through the session. If you need more time, you can pause and come back later.
If you need to, you can start online and then switch to the phone. And after you have spoken to us, you can finish up online, if that works for you.
2. We find out more about you
To make sure the advice and solutions we offer are right for you, we ask you to tell us about your financial situation.
We will ask you:
- About the money you have coming in and going out
- Who you owe money to
- If there is anything else you are dealing with in your life that is affecting your finances. Find out how we can adjust our service for you
3. We recommend ways for you to get back on track
After your debt advice session we will give you your 'personal action plan'. Based on what you have told us, this plan will include:
- Information about any debt solutions we think are right for you and how to set these up
- A monthly budget plan so you know what you have to spend
- Advice on dealing with the people you owe money to
- Ways you can increase your income or reduce your spending
- What would happen if you didn't pay your debts
- Details of organisations we work with, if you need further support
Are you a homeowner?
Find out what your options are if you own a home and have money worries. Read our guides.
Homeowner options
Frequently asked questions
It helps if you can gather details about:
- The money you have coming in. These are things like your wages, benefits, pension payments or tax credits
- Your regular living costs. These are things like your rent or mortgage, and what you need to spend on food and travel among other things
- How much money you owe and who you owe money to.
You can get this information by checking your recent account statements, receipts and payslips. This will help us to get a clear picture of what you can afford and which payments you are struggling to keep on top of.
It is important to be as accurate as you can be. But we won’t ask you to send us any documents at this point.
Ready for debt advice?
We provide the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service. As well as advising you, we can help you set up your debt solution and support you for as long as you need us.
We have helped millions of people over the past 30 years and have more than 15,000 five-star Feefo ratings from our clients. See what our clients think of us.
We know that many people prefer not to call us, or are unable to. You can complete a full debt advice session online. Get started by telling us about your situation and you can go all the way through to selecting a debt solution.
In some cases, you can even apply for your solution online so we can set it up quickly for you.
Find out more about ways to contact us.
Your ‘personal action plan’ will tell you about the debt solution we recommend for you. It is important to understand how it works and how it can affect you.
When you have confirmed you are happy to go ahead you can follow our checklist to applying for your solution.
We will explain what you need to do next and can support you along the way.
Ready for debt advice?
England, Wales or Scotland:
Please contact Business Debtline. You can call them on 0800 197 6026. They are open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm.
They offer specialist advice about:
- Tax implications
- Court proceedings
- Business liabilities
They will also be able to help with any personal debts you may have.
Northern Ireland:
Please contact Advice NI. You can call them on 0800 0838 018, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm.
They offer free and impartial advice for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
We provide debt advice and solutions for people living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We have experts on the debt solutions and laws relating debt across the UK. We are approved money advisors in Scotland. Find out more about our debt advice in Scotland.
Looking for debt advice in the Republic of Ireland?
Sorry, we are not able to help you. Please call the MABS helpline on 0761 07 2000. They are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
Read our guide to dealing with UK debts from abroad.
Everything you need to know about debt
Our debt information section has lots of advice. Our popular guides include:
- Dealing with bailiffs
- Arranging temporary payment holidays
- County Court judgments (CCJ)
- Payday loans
- Debt management companies
- Debt consolidation
- Government debts
Not sure what to do?
Take two minutes to answer a few simple questions.
Find the right help for your situation
Our online debt calculators and tools: We have a number of handy tools to help you. Find out what benefits you are entitled to. See if debt consolidation is right for you and more.
Online debt calculators
Worried about rising food and energy prices? If the cost of food and heating is causing you concern, you are not alone. We can help you.
Read our cost of living guides
Debt happens. We deal with it.
We have helped millions of people since 1993.
Find out how.
- Read our clients' stories
- Read our reviews
- How we can adapt our service to support you
"Helpful and non-judgemental."
"Helpful advice based on my circ*mstances. Website makes entering financial and personal details easy then suggests solutions to help. I always felt in control of my choices and each option is well explained. Any issues and the advisers on the phone are knowledgeable, friendly and non-judgemental. I now feel in control of my finances thanks to StepChange."
Ashton, Feefo Review
