We aim to make our website as accessible as possible. However if you use a screen reader and require debt advice you may find it easier to phone us instead. Our phone number is 0 8 0 0 1 3 8 1 1 1 1. Freephone (including all mobiles).

Get debt help: Our free debt advice

Our free and expert advice helps you deal with your debts and get the support you need. We offer you full flexibility. You can get advice online or over the phone at a time that suits you, and after we've looked at your budget, we'll recommend a range of practical debt solutions based on your situation.

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Gather up-to-date details about your finances, including your income, outgoings and debts.

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Use our online debt help tool to get advice now. Complete your advice session at your own pace.

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Prefer to talk? Make your budget before calling 0800 138 1111. A call takes around 40 minutes to complete.

Get debt help from StepChange, your way

StepChange your way is flexible free debt advice that allows you to seamlessly switch between our online and telephone advice channels. So how does it work? We'll start by asking you some quick questions to understand how best we can support you. We'll capture the details of your debts and help you to create a realistic, sustainable budget by understanding how much you may be able to afford to repay towards your debts.

During the debt advice process, you can easily switch between channels, take a break and continue once you're ready. And online service is available to all seven so you can use it at a time that suits you.

When the debt advice process is complete, we'll recommend a suitable way forward for you, whether that's a debt solution or an alternative option based on your individual needs.

We'll support you through the solution set up process and provide you with the guidance you need to get your solution set up and ready to go.

We're here to support you. Start your debt advice journey today.

How to get debt help from us

Whether you use our online advice tool, or call us, the process is the same. When you have a debt advice session, we recommend ways to deal with your debts, based on what you’ve told us about you.

No-one needs to know that you’ve come to us for debt help. Our advice is confidential and doesn’t affect your credit score.

To make sure the advice and solutions we offer are right for you, we need to know more about your financial situation. We’ll ask you about the money you have coming in and going out, who you owe money to and if there’s anything else you’re dealing with that’s affecting your finances.

Both our online debt advice tool and our advisors guide you through the session. If you need more time, you can pause and come back later

We recommend gathering information about your finances, including income, outgoings and debts, before you start and having these to hand – but you don’t have to provide any documents at this stage.

Frequently asked questions

Whether you choose to go through our online tool, or we speak to you on the phone, we recommend you prepare for your debt advice session. It helps if you can gather details about:

  • The money you have coming in, for example your wages, benefits, pension payments or tax credits
  • Your regular living costs, such as your rent or mortgage, what you need to spend on food, travel and insurance, among other things
  • How much money you owe and who you owe money to, including any interest, fees and charges

You can get this information by checking your recent account statements, receipts and payslips. This will help us to get a clear picture of what you can afford and which payments you’re struggling to keep on top of.

It’s important to be as accurate as possible, but we won’t ask you to send us any documents, at this stage, to get a recommendation for the best solution for your situation.

Ready for debt advice?

We provide the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service. As well as giving you free and impartial advice, we can help you set up your debt solution and support you for as long as you need us.

We’ve helped more than 5 million people since 1993 and have more than 12,000 five-star Feefo ratings from our clients. Find out how we help, in our clients’ own words.

We know that many people prefer not to call, or are unable to. That’s why you can complete a full debt advice session online, from budgeting through to selecting a solution.

In some cases, you can even submit all your documents online so we can set up your solution quickly. We’re also on hand to answer your questions through our webchat service. Find out more about ways to contact us.

At the end of your debt advice session you’ll be sent your ‘personal action plan’. This will explain how to apply for your debt solution, if one is recommended to you, as well as providing practical tips on managing your budget and dealing with your creditors.

To go ahead with a debt solution, there will be an application process to complete – we can support you with this.

Ready for debt advice?

If you’re self-employed, living in England, Wales or Scotland and looking for help with your debts, please contact Business Debtline. 

They offer specialist help to the self-employed, including advice on tax implications, court proceedings and business liabilities. They’ll also be able to help with any personal debts.

Call them on 0800 197 6026. They’re open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm.

If you live in Northern Ireland, please contact Advice NI who offer free and impartial advice for Sole Traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies.

You can call them on 0800 0838 018, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm.

We provide debt advice and solutions for people living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

While some solutions, such as debt management plans, are available in all these countries, we also have specialist teams who deal with IVAs and DROs (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland), and trust deeds and the Debt Arrangement Scheme (in Scotland).

Looking for debt advice in the Republic of Ireland? Sorry, we’re not able to help you. If you live in the Republic of Ireland, please contact the MABS helpline on 0761 07 2000. They’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.

Read our guide to dealing with UK debts from abroad.

Everything you need to know about debt

Our debt information section has lots of advice on what creditors can do and the different types of debts, including:

living costs iconWorried about rising food and energy prices? If the cost of food and heating is causing you concern, you're not alone. We can help you. Read our guides to coping with the rising cost of living

Not sure what to do?

If you're worried about money but aren't sure if you need full debt advice, take two minutes to answer a few simple questions and we'll find you the right help for your situation.

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Debt. Let's start the conversation

Best Financial Support Provider: Consumer Credit Awards 2021