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Debt happens. How we are here to help

We help hundreds of thousands of people each year by finding the right ways to sort out their debts.

We offer free debt advice, and a range of solutions, tools and resources for people across the UK who are worried about money.

Need help right now?

Get free online debt advice you can trust

   Start, stop and begin again at a time that suits you

Who are StepChange?

We have been helping people across the UK for more than 30 years with our free debt advice service, guides and support.

More than 7.5 million people have changed their lives for the better with our help – and you can do the same.

We are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and don’t make money from the people we help. Any profits go back into the charity so we can carry on helping as many people as we can.

Adam on Feefo says:

"This is an excellent service if (like me and my partner) your debts have increased a lot in a short amount of time and you can't afford them any more. I am very pleased with everything and would recommend to anyone I know."

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Our award-winning, free debt advice service

If you are stressed about being chased for money you owe, it is time to get some help. By getting debt advice you will find out what options you have for dealing with your debt. There may be more ways than you are aware of.

The easiest way to get started is to use our online debt advice service, at any time of day or night. We don’t judge you, we just want to help. Getting debt advice does not affect your credit file

Get started now

How it works

We find out about you, your finances – and anything else that is making it harder for you to manage your money

We tell you how you can deal with your debt and the people you owe – as well as other ways to get peace of mind

We support you as you get your finances back on track – including better budgeting tips or managing a debt solution

Debt Happens. Let's Deal With It. A hand holding a coin beside the text.
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Debt gets treated like a dirty word.

But what if together we clear up the stigma?

What if we stop avoiding the subject and shine a light on what it's really like?

Debt's a part of life, pretending it doesn't exist, won't make it disappear.

But admitting when it's a problem is a step in the right direction.

We know because we've been here for thirty years and we'll continue to be.

StepChange is a not-for-profit independent charity.

Putting people first is what we do.

So we offer free, and impartial advice for anyone worried about debt.

No matter who you are or how you're feeling, we can help you take action.

Debt happens. Let's deal with it.

Visit stepchange.org

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Debt solutions for a fresh start, a new way forward

Debt management plans (DMPs) ›

DMPs with StepChange are fee-free. Make one payment to us each month and we share it with the people you owe.

Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) ›

Pay a reduced rate for a fixed period of time and your debts are written off after you successfully complete your IVA.

Debt relief orders (DROs) ›

Write off debts after one year if you are on a low income and have few assets. No fees to pay and no creditor contact.

Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) ›

Scotland only. You pay back what you owe based on what you can afford. There can be no court action against you.

Trust deeds ›

Scotland only. Make affordable payments over four years and after this time, any remaining debts are written off.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can write off your debts if you have no other way to pay them. A last resort option that offers you a fresh start. There are three types of bankruptcy in the UK:

What is worrying you most right now?

The people you owe are allowed to contact you and they will continue to do so if you don’t:

  • Pay them what you owe
  • Show them you can’t pay them and get protection from further action. Such as from a debt solution
  • Prove you do not have pay. Such as, if the debt is not yours

They have to follow rules about treating you fairly and they must not harass you.

The first step to stopping them contacting you is to do a budget showing what you can and cannot afford.

We can do this with you as part of debt advice. You can then tell your creditors we are helping you. Many know us and how we work.

Read our guides to what creditors can and can’t do.

There are different ways that debts can be collected. It depends on the type of debt and which country you are in.

We know this can be scary, but it can be a slow process and there are usually things you can do to avoid things getting worse.

Don’t ignore letters about debt collections, especially court action. And come to us for help at any time.

Read our guides to debt collection across the UK

We can understand you just want this to go away. There are ways to cancel or write off debt in some circumstances – through certain debt solutions or if you can prove that the debt does not have to be repaid by law.

Read our guides to writing off debt

Sadly, debt will get bigger if you don’t find a way to deal with it, through interest and charges or if bailiff fees and court fines are added on.

We can help you. The easiest way to get started is to get online debt advice, you can take it at your own pace.

There are different ways to do this. You can:

  • Ask the people you owe to accept lower payments: If you can show them how much you can afford to pay
  • Get a debt solution with affordable monthly payments: These include debt management plans (DMPs) and individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs)

If you come to us for debt advice, we will tell you which debt solutions are right for you.

There may some ways you can get some emergency help. This could be through grants or trust funds, or your local council.

We work with a range of trusted organisations that support people in different ways.

Read our guides to getting emergency support.

Debt consolidation loans combine your debts into one single loan. There may be risks and extra costs. You should always get free debt advice before going ahead.

Read our guides to debt consolidation.

More debt and money guides

We have hundreds of guides covering everything from bailiffs through to utility bills. Let us answer your debt questions

Unlock your options as a homeowner

Struggling to keep up with important payments is always a worry. When you own your own home, there may be extra risks if your finances get out of control.

But your home may be a way to unlock your options: Maybe you could lower your monthly mortgage payments or use equity in your home to pay off debts. Our mortgage debt advice teams may be able to help you. Read our homeowner guides.

Our homeowner services:

Equity release ›

This means using some of the money that may be tied up in your home. It can be done through a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan.

Mortgages and remortgaging ›

We offer expert mortgage advice for first-time buyers and people looking to remortgage.

Our mortgage and equity release service is provided by StepChange Financial Solutions, part of StepChange Debt Charity. We are not a lender. We find products that suit your needs.

Other ways we can help you

Get Breathing Space from worrying about your debt

Breathing Space is a government scheme that gives you up to 60 days to make plans to deal with your debt, without added pressure from the people you owe. We can help you apply.Find out more about Breathing Space.

Money advice: Make the most of your income

Read our guides to make your money go further and create a monthly budget that works for you. Find out how to spend less and make more money. Read our money advice guides.

How do I know I need your help?

You might not be ready for debt advice at the moment. Maybe some help with managing your spending, along with tips on dealing with the people you owe is all you need in the short term. Whatever is best for you, we will let you know if you answer some quick questions.

It just takes a couple of minutes

Reboot your finances in just 7 days

You are not alone, our email programme, 7 Days 7 Ways, will help you take control of your finances.

Sign up for 7 days, 7 ways now

More debt tools, calculators and resources

We have a range of online debt calculators, tools and guides to help you when you need them. More tools and useful resources.

What is stopping you from getting the help you need?

Maybe you are worrying about something that might happen next. Or you just need a bit of extra support. Let’s deal with this together.

Debt happens. We deal with it.

We have helped millions of people since 1993.

Find out how.