Debt - where to get free help and advice
If you have a debt problem, there are many organisations
offering free and independent debt advice over the telephone or
face to face. They can help you work out the best way to deal with
your debts and answer any questions you have.
Getting debt advice
Many organisations provide debt advice or act for you in
negotiations with your creditors (people you owe money to). For
example, they can find the best way for you to deal with your debts
and set up an arrangement with your creditors.
Not all debt advice is free and some organisations may charge a
fee. This fee can be for helping you and/or managing any
arrangements they set up with your creditors. You should check if
there are any fees and how and when you might have to pay them.
Organisations offering free help and advice
You can get free and independent advice to help you deal with
your debt problem from the organisations listed below.
Debt Advice Foundation
Debt Advice
Foundation, a registered UK charity, operates a free telephone
helpline for anyone worried about debt.
www.debtadvicefoundation.org/
Debt Advice Foundation 0808 808 4000
Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 9.00 pm, Saturday 9.30 am to 1.00
pm
National Debtline
The National Debtline offers free, confidential and independent
help over the phone for people in England, Scotland and Wales. You
can call their helpline and also download publications from their
website.
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/
National Debtline 0800 138 1111
Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Consumer Credit Counselling Service
(CCCS)
The CCCS provides free and confidential
counselling on debt problems – including personal budgeting and
credit advice.
Consumer Credit Counselling Service 0800 138 111
www.cccs.co.uk/
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm
Payplan
Payplan provides free advice to people living in the UK on debt and
budgeting, including free debt management plans and IVAs
(Individual Voluntary Arrangements) without upfront fees.
www.payplan.com/
0800 197 6026
Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Business Debtline
The Business debtline provides a free telephone debt counselling
service for the self-employed and small businesses facing financial
hardship.
Free impartial advice from Business Debtline.
www.bdl.org.uk/
AdviceUK
AdviceUK is a network of
independent advice centres for people living in England, Scotland
and Wales. To find your nearest member agency, visit the AdviceUK
website or telephone 020 7469 5700. For Northern Ireland, contact
Advice NI.
www.jobsinadvice.org.uk/
Law Centres
If you're being threatened with legal action, and you qualify for
legal aid, you can get free and independent advice from your local
Law Centre.
www.lawcentres.org.uk/
Shelter
Shelter offers free confidential advice on housing, debt, welfare
benefits, care and health needs (including disability rights and
entitlements). In England, telephone 0808 800 4444 if you want
general advice.
england.shelter.org.uk/home
or contact
Toynbee Hall
28 Commercial Street E1
6LS
The City Advice Line number is 020 7392 2919
The City Advice Text enquiry number is 07432 658 083
The email enquiry address is
city.advice@toynbeehall.org.uk