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National Debt Service Signposting to free, trusted UK support

IMPORTANT: We do not give debt advice. We signpost to free, regulated UK services.

Get help now

Get help now

If you're worried about money, debt, housing or your safety, you're not alone. This page gives you one trusted starting point for each type of problem, so you don't have to sift through lots of options when you're already under pressure.

We don't give debt advice and we don't arrange solutions. We simply point you towards organisations that are known for doing this work every day.

If you are in immediate danger or feel unsafe, call 999.
If you can't speak, you may still be able to get help. You can find more information on silent and emergency calls on the GOV.UK website .

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Money worries and problem debt

For most people who are struggling with debts, a good first step is to talk to a free, independent debt advice charity. They can look at your full situation, explain your options and help you decide what to do next.

StepChange Debt Charity

StepChange is a free, regulated debt advice charity that helps people across the UK with problem debt.

How to contact StepChange

Website: https://www.stepchange.org

Where StepChange can help

Coverage: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

Other recognised free services

Other free, recognised services include National Debtline and Citizens Advice . You can see more options on our Resources page.

Feeling overwhelmed or in emotional crisis

Money worries and debt can make you feel trapped, ashamed or exhausted. If you're finding it hard to cope, talking to someone who will listen without judgement can help.

Samaritans

Samaritans offer 24/7 listening support for anyone who's struggling to cope, feeling low or having suicidal thoughts.

How to contact Samaritans

What Samaritans do

They're there to listen, not to tell you what to do. You don't have to be in crisis to get in touch.

If you need urgent medical help or are at immediate risk, contact emergency services or NHS 111.

Other places to talk

If you're a man who would find it easier to talk in a group of other men, Andy's Man Club runs free peer-support groups in many towns and cities across the UK.

Housing problems or risk of homelessness

If you're worried about eviction, rent arrears, losing your home or poor housing conditions, it's important to get housing-specific advice.

Shelter

Shelter is a housing and homelessness charity offering advice on renting, eviction, homelessness, mortgage problems and bad housing.

How to contact Shelter

Website: https://www.shelter.org.uk

Where Shelter can help

Coverage: England, Scotland, Wales (with some services UK-wide).

Scotland and Wales

Scotland and Wales have their own specific Shelter sites and housing rules. Shelter's main site can signpost you to Shelter Scotland and Shelter Cymru .

Domestic abuse, control or feeling unsafe at home

Abuse is not only physical. It can include emotional, financial or controlling behaviour. If someone is controlling your money or making you feel unsafe, you can get specialist support.

Refuge – National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Refuge runs the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline in England and provides support and refuge spaces for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

How to contact Refuge

Who Refuge supports

Refuge focuses mainly on women and children experiencing domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, financial and controlling behaviour.

The helpline is based in England, but the team can give information and signpost to other services.

Other specialist services

There are services for men and LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse, such as Men's Advice Line and Galop . You can find more options in the “Safety, abuse and financial control” section on our Resources page.

More places that can help

This page keeps things simple on purpose, with just one main contact for each area. If you want to see a wider range of organisations, including more debt advice charities, mental health services and cost of living support, you can use our full list.

Go to the Resources page to see more options.

We keep this site under review, but organisations and phone numbers can change. Always check you're comfortable that a service is genuine before sharing any personal or financial information.