Debt support
While struggling with debt can be understandably overwhelming, advice and support is available to help people cope.
Debt is a reality for many people and households, with the costs of living at a sustained high.
If you are in crisis and in need of immediate mental health support call NHS 111 option 2 or Samaritans on 116 123, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 or go to your nearest A&E department.
Get support paying energy bills, water bills and your council tax.
Christians Against Poverty
Advice about money and debt, including where to access support and how to improve your financial situation.
Business Debtline
Business Debtline is a debt advice service run by the Money Advice Trust. Its advisers are experts in debt advice and the service is free. They will provide you with the help and support you need to deal with your business debts yourself. Call on 0800 197 6026 Monday to Friday 9 am–8 pm or use the webchat facility on all pages of the website.
Debt Advice Foundation
Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt. You can call for free debt advice on 0800 043 40 50, Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm. There is also online chat.
Family Fund
Family Fund provides a wide range of grants to families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, or young adult, on a low income.
Government benefits calculators
You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. These can estimate the benefits you could get, how benefits might change if you start work or increase your hours – and how benefits might be affected if your circumstances change.
Inbest benefits calculator
The most common reason people miss out on their benefits is a lack of awareness or the assumption that they are not eligible. Inbest’s benefits calculator can help to discover these. Financial services firms can also embed the Inbest benefits calculator in their systems to help ensure that customers are claiming what they are eligible for – for example, before taking out a loan.
National Debtline
An independent debt advice charity. If you’re struggling with debt, National Debtline can help. You can call 0808 808 4000 Monday to Friday: 9am-8pm and Saturday: 9:30 am–1 pm. You can also chat online and there is a digital advice tool available 24 hours a day, every day.
PayPlan
PayPlan offers free debt advice and debt solutions, such as debt management plans, IVAs and debt relief orders. Telephone 0800 280 2816 (freephone, including mobiles) – Mon to Fri 8am–8pm; Sat 9am–3pm.
Policy in Practice
Policy in Practice provides its Better Off Calculator for financial advisers, so they can easily explain complex benefit changes and give people the advice they need to make decisions. The public calculator is free for individuals. The professional calculator has many extra features for frontline advisers, for which charges apply.
StepChange
StepChange provides the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service. Since 1993, they have helped 7.5 million people with debt problems take back control of their finances and their lives. They provide free debt advice, to help people deal with debt and set up a solution.
Turn2us
Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. The website has a free benefits calculator and a grants search tool– which can match you to grants for which you may be eligible.
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