Where to get free debt advice

If you’re struggling with debt, it can be hard to know where to turn. But with lots of free advice services available across the UK, you can find help in a way that’s best for you.

How will a debt adviser help you?

A debt adviser will:

  • never judge you or make you feel bad about your situation
  • always be happy to talk to you, however big or small your problem might be
  • find ways to manage your debts even if you think you have no spare money
  • suggest ways to deal with debts that you might not know about.

Did you know?

Most people who have got debt advice tell us they feel less stressed or anxious and more in control of their life again

On this page you can find:

All of the services below are free, confidential and hold a standard or membership code accredited by the Money and Pensions Service.

The Money and Pensions Service has developed a set of quality requirements for the delivery of debt advice. All services listed on this page meet these standards. This excludes debt advice services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are still free and confidential but may not hold a standard or membership code accredited by the Money and Pensions Service.

Online debt advice services

Online services are secure and you can get immediate, personalised help. Some services are available 24 hours a day.

  • StepChange Debt Charity

    • www.stepchange.org

    • Debt happens. Let's deal with it. In our 30 years, StepChange have helped over five million people through challenging times. Use our free and flexible online advice service with expert debt advisors on-hand to help you explore your options to pay, manage or write off debt.

    Money Wellness

    • www.moneywellness.com

    • At Money Wellness, we offer confidential debt advice and ongoing support. There are lots of ways we help our customers, from budgeting tips to negotiating lower monthly payments with lenders to getting unaffordable debt written off. With 30 years of experience, we can help you live more and stress less.

  • Debt Advice Foundation

    • www.debtadvicefoundation.org

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

    PayPlan

    • www.payplan.com

    • PayPlan's online debt solution tool, PlanFinder, can give you a personalised debt solution in as little as 15 minutes. They also offer free live chat and email support for immediate help.

  • National Debtline

    Money Adviser Network

    • https://adviser.moneyhelper.org.uk

    • The Money Adviser Network offers free debt advice backed by MoneyHelper. Provide your contact details in confidence and we'll connect you with a qualified and regulated money advice provider so you can get back on track.

Telephone debt advice services

You can speak directly with an expert adviser. Telephone services are usually available weekdays, evenings and Saturdays.

  • PayPlan

    • www.payplan.com
    • 0800 280 2816

    • PayPlan's supportive, non-judgemental team of advisers help thousands of people beat their debts every year, and treat all of their calls with the strictest confidence.

    Citizens Advice

    • 0800 240 4420

    • If you’re having issues with money or debt, you can: • talk to us online about a debt problem using chat - we can usually help between 9am and 8pm Monday to Friday and between 9.30am and 1pm Saturday • call our debt helpline - it’s available 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 1pm Saturday

      Debt helpline: 0800 240 4420

      Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 240 4420 You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it. Find out how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.

      The debt helpline is not available on public holidays. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

  • Youth Legal and Resource Centre

    Debt Advice Foundation

  • Money Wellness

    • www.moneywellness.com
    • 0161 518 8282

    • At Money Wellness, we offer confidential debt advice and ongoing support. There are lots of ways we help our customers, from budgeting tips to negotiating lower monthly payments with lenders to getting unaffordable debt written off. With 30 years of experience, we can help you live more and stress less.

    National Debtline

    • www.nationaldebtline.org
    • 0808 808 4000

    • National Debtline has helped millions of people with their debts. They'll talk you through options and give clear advice on how to take back control.

  • StepChange Debt Charity

    • www.stepchange.org
    • 0800 138 1111

    • Call the UK's leading debt charity. We help change the lives of thousands of people every week. Get free, confidential advice and practical solutions to help you deal with your debts.

Face-to-face and local services

Search for a debt advice service near you. You can then set up a face-to-face appointment and speak to an expert adviser in person.

Where shown, some local services can also provide debt advice by phone.

If you are self-employed or run a small business and have personal or business debts, contact the free advice service in your area: Business Debtline (England and Wales), Business Debtline (Scotland) or Advice NI Business Debt Service (Northern Ireland).

Spotted an error? Let us know.

While we try to ensure this information is accurate and up to date, we cannot be responsible for any inaccuracies in the information. The MoneyHelper takes no responsibility and is not liable for any advice given by third parties.

Debt help in your area: