Where to get free debt advice in the UK

Free debt advice services

Each of these is free. The numbers and opening hours below were copied from each organisation’s own website.

MoneyHelper is a free service from the Money and Pensions Service. StepChange’s free, impartial debt advice is accredited by MoneyHelper.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Scotland: the Citizens Advice Helpline on 0800 028 1456 connects you to your local bureau for free, confidential and impartial advice. The Scottish Government also funds organisations that give free debt advice.
• Wales: Citizens Advice runs Advicelink on 0800 702 2020, open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
• Northern Ireland: Advice NI gives free, confidential debt advice on freephone 0800 915 4604.

What a debt adviser can do for you

A debt adviser looks at everything you owe and everything coming in and going out, then explains your options in plain terms. That could be a plan to pay your debts over time, or a formal solution if your debts are too big to repay.

In England and Wales, a debt adviser can also apply for Breathing Space for you. During a standard breathing space, which lasts up to 60 days, your creditors cannot add interest, fees or charges to the debts it covers or take enforcement action. You still need to keep up your repayments if you can, and you have to talk to a debt adviser to get it.

Free debt solutions you might hear about

• A debt management plan is an agreement with your creditors to pay all your debts over time. It only covers unsecured debts. StepChange does not charge fees for its plans.
• A Debt Relief Order in England and Wales is for people who owe less than £50,000, have less than £2,000 of assets, do not own a vehicle worth £4,000 or more, and have less than £75 a month spare income. There is no fee, and you apply through an approved debt adviser.
• An Individual Voluntary Arrangement is set up through an insolvency practitioner and usually involves fees, so get free advice before you agree to one.

Every debt solution has downsides, including an effect on your credit file. A free adviser will explain these before you decide.

How to spot a firm you should avoid

The FCA has warned that some people are steered towards fee-paying debt solutions, such as IVAs, that may not suit them. Be wary if you are pressured to agree to a debt solution quickly over the phone or on WhatsApp.

Use the FCA’s Firm Checker to confirm a firm is authorised and that its contact details match. StepChange warns that some clone firms advertise online using its name and similar terms, so type the charity’s web address yourself rather than clicking an advert.

If money worries are affecting your mental health

Money worries can make you feel trapped and hopeless. If you are finding it hard to see a way forward, you can talk to Samaritans for free on 116 123, from any phone, at any time, day or night. Mind runs an Infoline on 0300 123 3393.

In England and Wales there is also a mental health crisis breathing space for people receiving mental health crisis treatment. It lasts until 30 days after the treatment ends, and unlike a standard breathing space there is no 12-month wait before you can have another one.

Common questions

Is debt advice really free?

Yes. The FCA says free debt advice is available to everyone. StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper do not charge for advice.

Will getting debt advice affect my credit file?

Some debt solutions do affect it: a Debt Relief Order, for example, stays on your credit record for 6 years. A free adviser will explain the effect of each option before you choose.

What is Breathing Space?

It is a government scheme in England and Wales that gives you up to 60 days’ protection. During that time creditors cannot add interest, fees or charges to the debts it covers or take enforcement action. You get it through a debt adviser.

Should I tell my lender I am getting debt advice?

Yes. Under the FCA’s rules, a regulated lender should tell a customer in difficulty that free debt advice is available, and it must treat customers in arrears with forbearance.

Sources

Every fact in this page was checked against these official sources on 28 October 2026.

1. Contact us StepChange Debt Charity
2. Get help National Debtline
3. Contact us Citizens Advice
4. Contact us MoneyHelper
5. Breathing Space GOV.UK
6. Debt Relief Orders GOV.UK
7. Debt advice warning: spot the red flags Financial Conduct Authority
8. Contact a Samaritan Samaritans

Written and fact-checked by the PiggyBank editorial team. Last reviewed 28 October 2026. This guide is general information, not financial advice. How we write and check our guides.