Getting help with debt and urgent bills

Start with free, independent advice

Debt means money you owe. Arrears are payments that are overdue. You can ask for help before you miss a payment, even if you do not know the total. Choose a free advice organisation using the links below. You do not need to pay a company to access these advice services.

What needs urgent help?

Tell the adviser straight away about a court date, a bailiff notice, threatened eviction or disconnection. Do not ignore letters or miss a deadline while waiting for a routine appointment. If you may lose your home, contact your council’s housing team too. Explain any disability or essential equipment affected.

Which debts come first?

Priority debts have especially serious consequences if unpaid. Examples include rent or mortgage arrears, Council Tax, energy bills and court fines. They are not necessarily the biggest debts or those with the most persistent callers. Ask an adviser to look at your situation and help you protect essential living costs.

People you can contact

StepChange offers free debt advice on 0800 138 1111 and online. National Debtline offers free advice on 0808 808 4000 and through online options. Citizens Advice has a debt helpline on 0800 240 4420, chat and local services. MoneyHelper can help you find an advice service. Check each provider’s current availability using its official page.

Prepare without delaying urgent help

Bring the letters you have, payment deadlines, benefit or wage information and a list of usual spending. Include disability costs, care, transport and irregular bills. Say if information is missing; you can still make contact. Keep passwords, PINs and one-time security codes private. Use the worksheet to prepare questions, rather than recording bank login details.

Ask for advice you can use

Explain how you communicate and what makes money tasks difficult. Ask for plain language, one step at a time, breaks, written reminders or another format. You can ask to involve someone you trust, with appropriate permission. StepChange describes a BSL interpreter route; Citizens Advice explains Relay UK and chat options. The provider’s website may use standard text even though this guide is Easy Read.

Speak to the organisation you owe

Ask for affordable payments and explain essential costs. You can ask whether interest or charges can be paused; this is not guaranteed. Get any proposed arrangement in writing and check it with an adviser before accepting payments you cannot maintain. Do not take another loan just because someone is pressuring you.

Debt collectors and bailiffs are different

A debt collector asking for payment is not the same as a bailiff or enforcement agent with legal powers. If someone says they will visit, keep the notice and seek advice promptly. The rules depend on the debt and stage of enforcement. Tell the adviser about disability or difficulty understanding. Use National Debtline’s guidance rather than assuming every visitor has the same powers.

Ask about Breathing Space

A debt adviser can assess whether you qualify for Breathing Space. Standard protection normally lasts up to 60 days and restricts certain creditor action, interest and charges on included debts. It does not erase the debt or cancel repayments. There are conditions and exclusions. A separate mental health crisis route has different rules; ask the adviser which, if either, fits your circumstances.

Help with essential costs

Ask your council about Crisis and Resilience Fund help if essentials are unaffordable. You do not have to receive benefits to apply, but local rules decide eligibility. Ask about a benefits check and use our food and furniture guides for other support.

Understand an agreement before choosing

Ask what each option costs, how long it lasts and how it affects your home, possessions and future borrowing. Some debt solutions have formal conditions or fees even when advice is free. Do not rely on adverts promising to write off debts. Ask for time and an explanation, and keep the agreed next steps and deadlines.

You can get help

Get urgent advice

Some debts need attention first

StepChange

National Debtline

Citizens Advice

Getting ready

Ask for the support you need

Agree what you can afford

If someone may visit

Breathing Space

Help with essentials

Keep control of your information

What you can do next

More useful links