Where to get debt and money advice

A debt adviser can help you:

• decide which debts to pay first

• look at your income and spending

• make a budget or financial statement

• speak to your landlord, lender and companies you owe money to

Online budget and debt tools

You need a record of your financial situation to help you sort out debts.

These websites have tools or templates and are a good place to start:

• Money Helper budget planner
  Record your spending. Get tips on getting out of debt or starting to save.

• National Debtline advice tool
  Create an account. It helps you work out a budget and gives you debt solutions.

• StepChange budget templates
  Excel spreadsheet or PDF to download and print out. These resources are not accessible for people using screen readers.

You need information about your income and spending to use these tools. If most of your money goes through your bank account, a lot of this information is on your statements.

Get free debt advice

These charities have free advice, self help tools, online chat and helplines.

• StepChange Debt Charity
  0800 138 1111
  Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm | Saturday 9am to 2pm

• Citizens Advice debt helpline
  0800 240 4420
  Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm | Saturday 9:30am to 1pm

• National Debtline
  0808 808 4000
  Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm | Saturday 9:30am to 1pm

• Debt Advice Foundation
  0800 043 40 50
  Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Debt solutions

Debt charities can talk to you about things like:

• breathing space

• debt management plans

• debt relief orders (DROs)

• individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs)

• bankruptcy

Free legal advice if your home is at risk

Let your landlord or lender know you're getting advice to deal with your debts.

Find out how to deal with:

• rent arrears

• missed mortgage payments

Need help with benefits?

A benefits adviser could help you to:

• get universal credit (UC), other benefits or money help

• deal with delays or mistakes in your claim

• challenge DWP or housing benefit decisions

A debt adviser could help if you have if money is taken from your UC to pay debts.

Cost of living help

Find out about emergency grants, loans and money help.

You could get help with:

• energy bills

• council tax

The Trussell Trust Help through Hardship helpline can give you personalised support with money, benefits and mental health.