Where Can I Get Free Help With Money Problems?

If you are struggling with money, you do not necessarily have to pay somebody to help you understand what to do next.

There are organisations and services that provide free information, guidance and advice about money, benefits, bills and debt.

The right place to start depends on the problem you are trying to solve.

What kind of help do I need?

“Money problems” can mean many different things.

You might need help because:

• your income no longer covers your bills
• you think you may be entitled to benefits
• you are struggling with rent or mortgage payments
• you have fallen behind with council tax or energy bills
• credit cards or loans have become unaffordable
• creditors are contacting you
• you are considering a debt solution
• you simply do not know where to start

You do not need to understand all the different services before asking for help.

Start with the problem you recognise.

I need general help understanding my money

MoneyHelper provides free, impartial money guidance backed by the UK Government.

It covers a wide range of subjects including bills, borrowing, benefits, pensions and dealing with debt.

Its debt-advice locator can also help you find free debt advice if your situation needs more specialist support.

This can be a useful starting point if you know something needs to change but are not sure what type of help you need.

I think I might be entitled to benefits

If your income is low or your circumstances have changed, it is worth checking whether you may be entitled to financial support.

This could be particularly relevant following:

• redundancy or unemployment
• reduced income
• illness or disability
• becoming a carer
• separation
• retirement
• changes to your household
• increased housing costs

A benefits calculator can help you identify benefits that may be worth exploring.

Turn2us provides a free benefits calculator and information about benefits and grants.

MH360’s Entitled support can also help people explore benefits and financial support they may be missing.

Do not assume that because you are working, have some savings or have never claimed benefits before that there is nothing worth checking.

Eligibility depends on the particular benefit and your circumstances.

I’m struggling with debt

If you cannot afford your debts or have started missing payments, free debt advice can help you understand your options.

StepChange Debt Charity provides free and impartial debt advice online and by telephone.

A debt adviser can look at your income, essential spending and what you owe before helping you understand the options that may be suitable for your circumstances.

MoneyHelper can also help you locate free debt-advice services.

Getting advice does not mean you have to immediately enter a formal debt solution.

The first step can simply be understanding your position.

What about Citizens Advice?

Citizens Advice can be another useful source of free information and advice.

Depending on the issue and availability in your area, this can include help with matters such as:

• benefits
• debt
• housing
• employment
• consumer problems
• energy
• other financial difficulties

Local services can vary, so check what help is available where you live.

I need help with a particular bill

Sometimes you do not have a general debt problem.

You may be struggling with one particular cost.

For example:

Rent

Mortgage payments

Council tax

Gas and electricity

Food and essential household costs

There may be different forms of assistance depending on the bill, your circumstances and where you live.

Later guides in this section look at these separately.

You can also ask the organisation you owe money to what support may be available if you are experiencing financial difficulty.

Could my local council help?

Possibly.

Depending on where you live and your circumstances, your local authority may administer financial support for people experiencing particular hardship.

The schemes, names, eligibility requirements and amounts available can vary.

Check your council’s current information rather than assuming that the same help is available everywhere.

What should I have ready before asking for help?

You do not need perfectly organised finances before speaking to somebody.

But it can help to gather:

• details of your income
• recent bank statements
• regular household costs
• details of benefits you currently receive
• rent or mortgage information
• details of debts
• recent letters from creditors
• information about missed payments

If you do not have everything, that should not necessarily stop you from making initial contact.

Start with what you know.

Be careful when searching online for debt help

Searching for terms such as “debt help” or “write off debt” can produce results from organisations offering commercial services as well as free advice organisations.

Before providing personal information or agreeing to anything, check:

Who am I speaking to?

Is the advice actually free?

Are they selling a particular debt solution?

Will I be charged fees?

Do I understand what I am agreeing to?

If you are unsure, using an established free debt-advice service can give you an independent starting point.

What if I feel embarrassed asking for help?

Money difficulties can happen for many reasons.

Your income may have fallen.

Household costs may have increased.

You may have become ill, lost work, separated from a partner or taken on caring responsibilities.

Debt may also have gradually built up until payments became difficult to manage.

Whatever the reason, embarrassment can make people delay seeking help.

Try to think of asking for advice as gathering information.

You are trying to understand the problem and the options available to you.

Getting help early can give you more options

You do not need to wait until a financial problem has become a crisis.

If you are beginning to miss payments, relying on borrowing for ordinary bills or becoming frightened to open correspondence, that can be a good time to ask for help.

One conversation, benefits check or debt-advice session may help turn:

“I don’t know what to do.”

into:

“I know what my next step is.”

7.3: I’m Scared to Look at My Finances, Where Do I Start?

7.4: I Can’t Afford My Bills, What Can I Do?

7.5: My Income Has Suddenly Fallen, What Should I Look At First?

7.9: What Benefits Might I Be Entitled To?

7.10: How Can I Check Whether I’m Missing Out on Benefits?

7.31: What Help Can I Get With My Rent?

7.35: What Help Is Available With Energy Bills?

7.38: What Emergency Financial Help Might My Council Provide?

7.39: I’m Struggling With Debt, Where Do I Start?

7.50: Where Can I Get Free Debt Advice?

Important information

This guide provides general information and is not intended to provide financial, benefits, debt, legal or other professional advice. Individual circumstances can be different. Benefits, financial-support schemes and eligibility rules can change. Check current information from official sources and seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional before making important financial decisions.