There is no debt situation where getting free, confidential advice makes things worse. All of the services listed here are free to use, staffed by trained advisers, and available to anyone in the UK — regardless of how much you owe or how you got there.
All of the services on this page are genuinely free. However, you may also encounter for-profit debt management companies who charge fees. Before working with any paid service, you should know:
One of the UK's largest debt charities. Provides free, confidential debt advice and can arrange debt management plans, IVAs and other solutions at no cost. Available by phone or online tool.
Free, independent debt advice by phone and webchat. Particularly strong on self-help resources, fact sheets, and explaining your legal rights with creditors and debt collectors.
Free advice on debt, benefits, housing and legal issues. Available locally in person or online. Particularly helpful for complex situations involving multiple types of debt or benefit issues.
Government-backed money guidance service. Provides budgeting tools, a debt advice locator, and free guidance on all aspects of personal finance. Backed by the Money and Pensions Service.
Free debt management and IVA service funded by creditors. Provides free debt management plans and can negotiate with creditors on your behalf at no cost to you.
Free debt help for people of any faith or no faith. Works through local churches to provide face-to-face debt advice, budgeting coaching and ongoing support. Available across the UK.
Free debt advice specifically for self-employed people and small business owners. Covers both business debts and personal debts for sole traders and partnerships.
A national charity that helps people find benefits, grants and financial support they may be entitled to. Use their free benefits calculator and grants search to find support that could ease financial pressure.
Free advice on housing and homelessness, including help with rent arrears, mortgage debt and avoiding eviction. If debt is linked to your housing, Shelter can help.
Free, specialist advice for people whose mental health is affecting their finances, or whose financial difficulties are affecting their mental health. Provides guidance on debt, benefits and mental health rights.
Debt advisers can help more quickly if you have a rough idea of:
You do not need to have all of this. Call anyway — advisers are trained to help you work through it.
Yes. All of the organisations listed on this page — including StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper — provide debt advice that is completely free to the person seeking help. They are funded by creditors, charities or the government. You should never need to pay for initial debt advice. Be cautious of for-profit debt management companies who may charge ongoing fees.
Free debt advice charities (such as StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice and PayPlan) provide regulated advice at no cost and can arrange debt management plans or other solutions without charge. For-profit debt management companies may charge setup fees and monthly management fees that come out of your repayments. Always explore free options first — the Financial Conduct Authority requires debt management firms to tell you about free services.
You will speak with a trained debt adviser who will review your income, outgoings, and debts. They will explain all your options — which may include debt management plans, individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), bankruptcy, or negotiating directly with creditors. The advice is confidential. You are under no obligation to take any particular course of action.
Debt advisers speak with people in all kinds of financial situations every day. There is no debt that you need to feel ashamed of. The services listed here are confidential, non-judgmental and exist specifically to help. The earlier you seek advice, the more options are usually available to you.
Yes. Business Debtline (0800 197 6026, businessdebtline.org) provides free, specialist advice for self-employed people and sole traders. StepChange and National Debtline can also help with personal debts even if you are self-employed.
If you want to understand your income and outgoings more clearly before or alongside seeking debt advice, Ask Fin's free budgeting tools may help. These are general educational tools — they are not a substitute for regulated debt advice.
Explore free budgeting tools