Debt advice: These charities and organisations can help you if you're struggling with debt

If you are facing debt, it is so important to get advice to manage it. There is a way out of debt and plenty of avenues you can take to get support.

Debt can be overwhelming and it can impact your mental health, making it even harder to handle your finances. There is also stigma around debt and it can take courage to ask for help, but that first step could just be a lifeline.

You are far from alone if you are experiencing debt. A record 6.7 million people in the UK have fallen behind on bills in the last six months as the cost of living crisis continues to hit households, new research from Debt Justice found.

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A debt advisor can help you access support like the government’s Breathing Space scheme which gives temporary protection from your creditors while you get advice and make a plan.

They can also create a budget and plan to manage your debt, or advise you as to whether you might be eligible for a Debt Relief Order or whether you should declare bankruptcy.

It’s worth contacting whichever companies or institutions you are in debt to first because they have an obligation to support you. That might mean lowered monthly payments, a payment plan, grants or putting you in touch with a specialist team if you are disabled or vulnerable. 

Below, we’ve rounded up a range of debt advice services, charities and organisations which might be able to help you with any money worries.

StepChange

The cost of living crisis can mean debts rack up, and things feel unmanageable. StepChange is the UK’s largest debt charity and it can give you advice on managing debt, as well as pointing you towards any help you’re entitled to.

The charity provides confidential and free expert advice on debt, as well as tips on budgeting, financial advice, and ways to prioritise your debts. There are a range of schemes and arrangements available, depending on your situation.

Its website can be found here. You can fill its online questionnaire to start with to get suggestions as to what steps you can take next.

National Debtline

National Debtline is a national charity providing free, impartial, expert debt advice to more than 100,000 people each year. Call National Debtline for free on 0808 808 4000.

If you just have a one-off question, or need emergency advice, you can chat live with one of their advisers between Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and on Saturdays 9.30am to 1pm.

Or if you prefer to do things online, their Digital Advice Tool is available 24/7.

It also has a cost of living hub with plenty of advice and support.

Business Debtline

Business Debtline is the UK’s only free dedicated debt advice service for people who are self-employed and other small business owners.

It can be reached on 08001976026 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or via webchat from 9am to 5pm.

Mental Health & Money Advice

Financial struggles are a common cause of stress and other mental health problems, with the cost of living crisis making that ever-more widespread. It explains some of your options for managing debt, while its cost of living hub provides practical tips to lessen the strain of the crisis and maintain your mental wellbeing.

PayPlan

PayPlan helps people who have multiple debts. Its aim is to “reduce the amount you pay to your lenders and incre

ase the money you have to spend on yourself and your family so you can live comfortably”.

You can get in touch via telephone, live chat or WhatsApp, whichever works best for you. The advisor will help you make a new, simple budget that shows what you’re spending each month, and offer solutions to help you deal with the debt based around this budget.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice offers information and services to help people and they can advise you as to what financial support is available to help you. It offers phone and webchat services.

They have plenty of information around support for debt and money available on their website here.

Help Through Hardship

Run by Citizens Advice and the Trussell Trust, which runs a network of food banks, Help Through Hardship is a free, confidential helpline. It can be reached on 08082082138, and is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The helpline is aimed at helping those struggling to pay for essential items such as toiletries or food. Within its first year, the helpline answered 30,000 calls and helped feed 15,000 children.

MoneyHelper

Run by the government, MoneyHelper provides advice on a range of money-related issues.

For example, it offers guidance to help you through the often-stressful situation of talking to a creditor about money you owe them. These conversations can help improve your situation and can lead to more flexible payment arrangements.

And if you’re using credit, there’s also advice on how to use it wisely. More and more people are turning to Buy Now Pay Later agreements as the cost of living crisis bites. MoneyHelper’s service offers advice if you’re using Buy Now Pay Later to pay for essentials such as food.

MoneyPlus Advice

MoneyPlus Advice is another debt advice service which offers support to people who get in touch. To get started, you can complete their quick enquiry online or use their online advice service to review all the solutions that could work for you and then get set up on a plan. 

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt.

If you need to talk to someone in confidence about your options, there’s no need to book an appointment. Its free debt advice helpline is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm on 08000434050.

There’s also plenty of advice available on its website.

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