Dealing with debt is tough. While Saving Superstar and sites like it try to help, there’s a lot you need to do on your own.
If you’re struggling and need an outside view or expert assistance, Britain’s debt charities can help.
There are a number of them around, all with different specialities, but are all there if you need them.
How can a debt charity help?
A debt charity can help in a number of ways. They can provide a professional overview of your situation, use their training and experience to identify solutions and can work with your creditors on your behalf.
They can also be there just to listen.
That’s often enough to make you feel better even before they begin helping you in more tangible ways.
Debt charities can help arrange breathing space, help set up debt management plans and contract creditors on your behalf so they stop hassling you.
They also provide that external view that we can often lose sigh of when we’re in the middle of a situation.
Choosing a debt charity
There are a few debt charities operating in the UK but there are also some commercial companies that look and sound like charities.
I urge you to choose carefully and make sure you’re dealing with a proper charity. You shouldn’t have to pay for advice or for a debt management plan.
I would recommend helping contribute to the charity when you’re in a position to do so, but you shouldn’t be paying for their services.
If you’re charged a fee for a consultation, advice or a debt management plan, you’re not dealing with a charity!
Top debt charities in the UK
There are multiple debt charities operating in the UK. So many that I probably only know a few of the main ones.
StepChange is one of the largest debt charities around. It can help you with most debt situations and can arrange with debt management plans (DMP), debt relief orders (DRO), individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) and other solutions.
They are available via the phone (0800 138 1111) 8am to 8pm or web chat 24/7.
National Debtline offers general debt advice covering all kinds of issues you’re likely to face. It can help with debt arrears, debt management plans, debt relief orders, individual voluntary arrangements, budgeting and general financial wellness.
They are available via the phone (0808 808 4000) 9am to 8pm or web chat 24/7.
Citizens Advice are not a dedicated debt charity but finance and debt are a large part of their work. They can help with the cost of living, benefits, debts, IVAs, DROs, DMPs and anything else you might need.
They are available via the phone (0800 144 8848) 9am to 5pm or web chat 24/7.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) are another debt charity that are there to help everyone, not just Christians. They provide debt counselling and coaching, can help with benefits, budgeting, financial skills and a whole lot more.
CAP works through home visits which you can arrange through their website.
The Debt Advice Foundation is a debt service and educational charity that can help with money advice, budgeting, debts, benefits, IVAs, DROs, DMPs, bankruptcies and most financial matters that would give you trouble.
They are available via the phone (0800 043 4050) 8am to 6pm or web chat 24/7.
There are other organisations such as PayPlan, Money Adviser Network or the Financial Wellness Group that aren’t charities but offer free debt advice if you need it.
I try to provide the best advice I can but I don’t have close to the knowledge, training or experience of any of these organisations.
If you’re in debt and are struggling, I would urge you to contact one of these charities. They don’t judge, don’t charge and really can help!
