Debt test

If you’re behind with gas, electric or other utility bills, here's what you can do:

1. Contact the energy supplier and explain that you’re struggling to pay them. If you are behind with your payments, your supplier should treat you fairly and allow you to repay at a rate you can afford. If you’d like someone to do this on your behalf or need advice find a free debt adviser now.

2. Read our guide: Talk to people you owe money to

Many suppliers offer extra help to customers who can’t pay their bills. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be disconnected if you’re behind with your payments (as long as you don’t ignore your bill). But you MUST talk to your supplier, so phone them straight away if you haven’t done so.

When money for everyday essentials is tight, here's what you can do:

1. Talk to everyone you owe money to and see if they will agree to you paying smaller amounts over a longer period. This will help free up cash to pay for essentials.

   For more help read our guide: Talk to people you owe money to, or if you’d like someone to help you find a free debt adviser now.

2. See if your employer can give you an advance on your pay. If you’re claiming benefits and waiting for your first payment, or if your money is late, you can ask Jobcentre Plus for a short-term advance.

3. Ask family or friends if they can help you. Make sure you draw up an agreement and pay the money back on time. Read our guide: Should you borrow from family and friends?

If you're having trouble paying off your credit cards or loans, here's what you can do:

1. Speak to the people you owe money to as soon as possible. They may agree to you making smaller repayments until your financial position improves.

2. Make sure you know your rights. If you’re struggling to pay back a loan or credit card, your lender has to treat you fairly and with consideration. In particular, they should also allow you reasonable time to repay the debt. This may include freezing their interest and charges or agreeing a repayment plan with you.

   A free debt adviser can help you with this and advise you on your rights and options. Find a free debt adviser now.

3. Use our Budget planner so you can track your income and your spending.

4. Prioritise your bills and agree to repay what you can afford. Read our guide How to prioritise your bills.

If you're struggling to pay off a payday loan, here's what you can do:

1. Get free, confidential debt advice. The adviser will be on your side and can help you sort out your money problems. Find a free debt adviser now

2. Contact your lender as soon as possible and let them know your situation. If you’re struggling with repayments on a payday loan they have to treat you fairly and with consideration. In particular, they have to give you reasonable time to get free debt advice and repay the debt. This may include freezing their interest and charges or agreeing a repayment plan with you

3. If you’ve agreed a continuous payment authority (also known as a recurring payment), you can cancel it at any time. This may help if you are struggling to pay essential bills but remember, if you do this you will still owe the debt and the lender can go on charging interest and other fees. So it’s essential that you let your lender know and you get free debt advice to help you deal with the loan.

   From 1 July 2014 the lender can’t try to collect payment from your account more than twice.

4. Don’t roll over your loan or consolidate your debts into a new loan unless you know what the lender will charge you for this and you are sure you can repay the loan on the repayment date. Failing to repay on time can quickly lead to your debts spiralling out of control.

   To find out more, read our guide Problems paying back a payday loan

If you are struggling to buy clothes or things for the home, here's what you can do:

1. Try to hang on until your next payday to buy the item. Taking out a high interest loan means you’ll end up paying a lot more for it. And if you can’t pay the loan back on time you’ll pay extra interest and late payment charges.

2. Consider buying it second-hand or getting it free from a recycling website like freecycle (external link).

3. Try contacting your local council (external link) if it’s an emergency and you are on income-based benefits. For example if your boiler's packed up in winter, you can’t afford food, or you’ve come out of care, hospital or prison and need help to stay in your own home. You may be given furniture, clothing, white goods, food grants or money. People on the lowest incomes usually have priority.

4. Use our Budget planner to find out exactly where your money’s going each month.

If you're struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, here's what you can do:

1. Contact your landlord or mortgage lender as soon as possible and explain your situation.

2. Make sure you know your rights. If you have a mortgage and you are struggling with repayments, lenders are required to treat you fairly and with consideration. In particular, they should allow you reasonable time to repay the debt. This may include freezing their interest and charges, and agreeing a repayment plan with you. A free debt adviser can help you do this and advise you on your rights and options.

3. Get free, confidential debt advice. The adviser will help you prioritise your bills, do a budget and may be able to talk to your landlord or mortgage lender on your behalf. Find a free debt adviser now

4. For more information read Problems paying your rent or Problems paying your mortgage

If you're struggling to pay for home or car repairs, here's what you can do:

1. See if the repair or bill can wait until next payday when you can afford it. Or ask for time to pay the bill or negotiate a payment plan.

2. See if your employer will give you an advance on your pay.

3. Ask family or friends if they can help you. Make sure you draw up an agreement and pay back the money on time. Read our guide: Should you borrow from family and friends?

If you're struggling to afford a holiday, here's what you can do:

1. Pay your holiday bill with a credit card that is offering 0% interest on new purchases. But do not borrow more than you need and make sure you know how you’ll pay it back before the 0% period ends.

2. Find out if an authorised overdraft from your bank until you get paid is cheaper. Make sure you repay it by the end of the month. Read our guide: Overdrafts explained

3. Read our hints and tips on how to pay for your holiday