Also known as: StepChange; Consumer Credit Counselling Service (formerly)
StepChange Debt Charity is one of the UK's largest free debt advice charities. It provides free, confidential, and expert debt advice and debt management services to people across the UK who are struggling with debt. StepChange is not a lender or debt collector — it exists solely to help people in debt.
StepChange offers a full range of debt solutions. These include Debt Management Plans (DMPs), where StepChange manages payments to your creditors on your behalf at no cost to you. It can also advise on more formal debt solutions such as Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), Debt Relief Orders (DROs), and bankruptcy, depending on your circumstances.
Unlike paid debt management companies, StepChange provides all its services free of charge to the people it helps. It is funded through voluntary contributions from creditors. This means you keep every pound of any money you pay to creditors, with nothing taken as a fee.
You can access StepChange's advice online through their debt advice tool, by phone on 0800 138 1111, or by app. Their online tool allows you to complete a financial assessment and get a recommended debt solution at any time of day. Phone advisers are available during office hours.
StepChange is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide debt counselling and debt adjusting services. It works with creditors including banks, credit card companies, utility providers, and debt collectors.
If you are struggling with debt of any kind — credit cards, loans, overdrafts, missed bills, or debt collectors contacting you — StepChange is one of the first places you should call. Their number is 0800 138 1111 and calls are free.
Quick summary
Always verify this information directly with the company, the FCA Register and Companies House before relying on it.
Free regulated debt advice — start here
If you are struggling with debt, arrears, or feel under pressure to pay, contact a free regulated debt advice service before taking any action. These services are confidential and free to use.
These are general questions that may be relevant to your situation. They are not personalised advice.
Always use contact details from StepChange Debt Charity’s official website ↗ or the FCA Register — not from unexpected letters or messages.
Main products and services
Free debt advice; Debt management plans (DMP); Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA); Debt Relief Orders (DRO); Breathing space; Budgeting advice
Trading names and group notes
Independent registered charity (charity no. 1016630). No commercial parent. UK's largest debt advice charity by volume.Review scores are third-party public indicators only. They are not proof of FCA compliance, product quality, or suitability for your circumstances.
Trustpilot
Not verified (predominantly positive based on reviews)
Approx. 2,347 reviews
Other review sources
Overwhelmingly positive Trustpilot reviews. Feefo also used. Strong sector reputation as the UK's leading free debt charity.
Overall public sentiment
Overwhelmingly positive. Customers praise empathy, clear communication, and debt-free outcomes. Some isolated complaints about breathing space cancellations.
Get free qualified debt advice first
Before making any payment decision or agreeing to a plan, speak to a free regulated debt adviser who can review your full situation.
Organise your budget before making any decisions
Before making any payment decisions about a debt, get free qualified debt advice from StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice. Ask Fin can also help you understand your monthly income and outgoings more clearly — but is not a substitute for regulated debt advice. General guidance only.
Explore Ask Fin — £4.99/monthGeneral guidance tools only. Not regulated advice.
Answers are general guidance only. Rules and procedures may change. Always verify with the company or a qualified adviser.
Source URLs used in preparing this record
Date checked
2026-06-05
Next review due
Periodic review
PayPlan Limited
PayPlan; Totemic Limited (FCA-authorised trading entity)
View details →
The Debt Advisor Limited
The Debt Advisor; The Business Debt Advisor
View details →
Money Advice Trust
National Debtline; Business Debtline; Wiseradviser
View details →
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice Bureau (historical); Citizens Advice
View details →
Spot an error on this page?
If you notice a wrong phone number, outdated FCA status, changed name or broken link, you can report it. We aim to verify and update the record as soon as possible.
Report an issue with this page →