StepChange Debt Charity

You can get free, confidential debt advice and a plan for dealing with what you owe. You tell them about your situation and they suggest the options that fit.

Good to know

The phone number is freephone, including from mobiles. Getting debt advice does not affect your credit file. You can start online, stop, and come back later.

Before you call

Have ready

  • details of all the money you owe: if you are not sure, your credit file lists your missed payments
  • a budget showing what you can and cannot afford: StepChange says to share one with the people you owe

They can

  • give free debt advice online at any time of day or night, and let you stop and begin again later
  • tell you your options for dealing with what you owe, including debt management plans
  • help you ask the people you owe to pause action or agree new payment terms

In the emergency guides: I'm behind on my mortgage and could lose my home → · My car was repossessed, towed or clamped → · I'm behind on my council tax or rates → · A debt collector is chasing me, or I got court papers about a debt → · I paid a scammer, or think I've been scammed → · I just lost my job → · I got a medical bill I can't pay, or a claim was denied → · I got a parking or traffic fine, or a court letter about one → · I got a shutoff notice → · I got a tax bill or letter I can't pay or don't understand → · Money is being taken from my wages → · I haven't been paid my wages →

Hours
Phone: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm. Online advice any time.
Coverage
UK-wide
Languages
English
Last checked
October 3, 2026

See something out of date or wrong? Tell us by email.

We list this organization because it is a national service for the need on this page. We’re not affiliated with it, and we don’t speak for it. Last checked October 3, 2026: we opened its own site and confirmed this link and number. We don’t call the lines, and hours can change — their site has the latest.

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