Last updated: 4 November 2026. Phone numbers and hours checked on GOV.UK; check there before calling, as they can change.
If you’re struggling with debt, picking up the phone to ask for help can feel like the hardest step. You might feel embarrassed, worried about being judged or unsure if your situation is “bad enough”. Please don’t wait. Free debt advisers talk to people in every kind of situation, every day, and the earlier you get help, the more options you usually have.
This guide lists the free, confidential debt advice services in the UK, explains what they can do for you and what to have ready, and shows you how to avoid companies that charge for help you can get free. It’s part of my debt and credit UK guide.
You never need to pay for debt advice
There are lots of companies advertising debt help. Some charge fees for things free charities do at no cost, such as setting up a debt management plan. Others push one solution, like an IVA, whether or not it’s right for you.
The free services below are independent, confidential and won’t judge you. They’ll look at your whole situation and explain all your options.
Free debt advice services
UK-wide and England and Wales
| Service | Contact | How they help |
|---|---|---|
| National Debtline (England and Wales) | 0808 808 4000, webchat at nationaldebtline.org | Phone and webchat advice, self-help guides and letter templates |
| StepChange Debt Charity | 0800 138 1111, or online at stepchange.org | Phone and online advice, free debt management plans |
| Citizens Advice | 0800 144 8848 (England), 0800 702 2020 (Wales) | Phone, webchat and local face-to-face advice |
| PayPlan | 0800 280 2816 | Phone and webchat advice |
| Community Money Advice | Local centres via communitymoneyadvice.com | Face-to-face advice in local communities |
| MoneyPlus Advice | 0161 837 4754 | Phone, email and online advice |
| Money Wellness | 0161 518 8282 | Phone advice |
| Debt Advice Foundation | 0800 043 40 50 | Phone and webchat advice |
| MoneyHelper | moneyhelper.org.uk | Free guides and a locator to find advice near you |
Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Scotland: Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) and Advice Direct Scotland. The Accountant in Bankruptcy (aib.gov.uk) explains Scottish debt solutions, which are different from England and Wales.
- Northern Ireland: Advice NI and nidirect have information on local free advice.
Numbers and services from GOV.UK’s free debt advice page, checked November 2026.
What a free debt adviser can do
- Look at your full budget and check you’re getting all the benefits and discounts you’re entitled to
- Work out which debts to deal with first. See priority vs non-priority debts
- Contact creditors for you, and help stop calls and letters
- Help you respond to court papers or bailiff letters
- Apply for Breathing Space in England and Wales: up to 60 days’ protection from most creditor action, with most interest and charges frozen
- Set up a free debt management plan if you can repay but need lower payments
- Explain formal options, like a Debt Relief Order, IVA or bankruptcy. See DRO vs IVA vs bankruptcy
When to get free debt advice
Get advice if any of these apply:
- You can’t afford your rent, mortgage, council tax or energy bills
- You’re using credit cards, overdrafts or loans to pay for essentials
- You’ve received a default notice, court papers or a bailiff letter
- Debt collectors are contacting you
- You can only afford the minimum payments, or not even those
- Debt is affecting your sleep, health or relationships
You don’t need to be in crisis. Advisers are just as happy to help you make a plan before things get worse.
What to have ready before you call
It helps to have these to hand, but don’t let not having them stop you calling:
- A list of your debts: who you owe, how much, and any letters you’ve had
- Your income: payslips, benefit letters, pension statements
- Your regular spending: rent or mortgage, bills, food, travel, childcare
- Any court papers or bailiff letters, with dates
- Your bank statements for the last month or two
My Debt Payoff Progress Tracker has a debt list page that’s handy for this, or a sheet of paper works just as well.
How to spot a fee-charging debt company
Be cautious if a company:
- Charges an upfront or monthly fee for advice or a debt management plan
- Promises to “write off” your debt in adverts or on social media
- Pushes one solution without looking at your full situation
- Pressures you to sign up quickly
- Calls or messages you out of the blue
All debt advice firms must be authorised by the FCA. You can check on the FCA register. But being authorised doesn’t make a paid service the best choice when free help is available.
If debt is affecting your mental health
Debt and mental health are closely linked. If you’re struggling, you can:
- Tell your debt adviser, who can ask creditors to take this into account
- Ask creditors to note it on your account; many have specialist support teams
- Talk to your GP
- Call Samaritans on 116 123, free, any time, if you need to talk to someone
In England and Wales, there’s a mental health crisis Breathing Space for people receiving crisis care, which lasts as long as the treatment plus 30 days.
Free debt advice: people also ask
Where can I get free debt advice in the UK?
National Debtline (0808 808 4000, England and Wales), StepChange (0800 138 1111) and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential debt advice. MoneyHelper has a locator to find advice near you, and GOV.UK lists all the free services.
Is StepChange really free?
Yes. StepChange is a debt charity and its advice and debt management plans are free.
Will getting debt advice affect my credit score?
No. Speaking to an adviser doesn’t affect your credit file. Some solutions they might suggest, like a debt management plan or DRO, can show on your file, and they’ll explain this before you decide.
Can a debt adviser stop creditors contacting me?
They can contact creditors on your behalf and ask them to hold action while you get things sorted. In England and Wales, they can also apply for Breathing Space, which pauses most creditor action for up to 60 days.
What is the difference between free and paid debt advice?
Free services are funded by charities, the government or creditors and charge you nothing. Paid companies charge fees, sometimes for the same services. Always start with a free service.
Do I need to pay for a debt management plan?
No. StepChange and some other free services set up debt management plans without charging fees.
Summary
- Debt advice is free. Never pay for help you can get for nothing.
- National Debtline, StepChange and Citizens Advice are good places to start.
- Advisers can check your budget, contact creditors, apply for Breathing Space and explain every option.
- Get help early, and have your debts, income and spending ready if you can.
Next step: read about DRO vs IVA vs bankruptcy, or go back to the debt and credit UK guide.
General information only. I’m not a debt adviser.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): GOV.UK: free debt advice · GOV.UK: Breathing Space guidance · FCA register · Samaritans