Where to find free UK debt advice
Where to find free UK debt advice
You do not have to pay for debt advice. The UK has several free, regulated services that will help you deal with creditors, plan, and even support you through bankruptcy.
Free debt advice services
StepChange Debt Charity
- Phone: 0800 138 1111 (freephone, Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm)
- Web: stepchange.org
- Self-help tool online 24/7
- Specialist teams for bankruptcy, CCJs, mortgage shortfalls
National Debtline
- Phone: 0800 808 4000 (freephone, Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat 9:30am–1pm)
- Web: nationaldebtline.org
- Free downloadable factsheets and template letters
- Strong on bailiffs, council tax, statute-barred debts
Citizens Advice
- Web: citizensadvice.org.uk
- Local in-person branches
- Strong for benefits checks and complex issues (e.g. tribunal support)
- Most branches offer specialist debt help
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
- Phone: 0800 328 0006
- Web: capuk.org
- In-person debt centre visits available
- Faith-based but open to anyone
PayPlan (FCA-authorised free provider)
- PayPlan offers free advice funded by creditors
- Web: payplan.com
- Useful for setting up a free Debt Management Plan online
Helplines for emotional support
Debt and mental health are deeply connected. If you feel overwhelmed:
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7) — emotional support, including for those feeling suicidal
- CALM: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight)
- Shout: text SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7 text support)
What to have ready when you call
- List of creditors and amounts (use your Debtrupt dashboard)
- List of monthly income (after tax)
- Rough monthly spend on essentials
- List of any assets
- Your bank and account details
Beware fee-charging advisers
- Some companies charge £500+ for bankruptcy assistance that is freely provided by StepChange or National Debtline
- Some charge for setting up a DMP — never pay for a DMP that you can get free from StepChange or PayPlan
- Authorised insolvency practitioners (for IVAs) do charge fees, but those come out of your monthly payment, not up-front
What's the right first step?
- Use Debtrupt's Surplus Calculator to know your monthly surplus
- Open the Options assessment to see what solutions fit your situation
- Call one of the free debt advisers above to confirm — they often save people thousands by recommending a better route than bankruptcy
You don't have to do this alone. Asking for help counts as a step.
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Remember: Debtrupt provides practical guidance, not legal advice. For formal advice, contact a regulated solicitor or a free debt charity such as StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0800 808 4000), or Citizens Advice.