Debt Advice charity you can trust

Free, confidential debt advice from a UK charity

Debt Advice Foundation is a registered national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about loans, credit and debt. Because we're a debt charity, you can be sure that the advice we provide is impartial and based solely on what is best for you.


If you have a debt problem, Debt Advice Foundation can help you understand which options are available to you and will recommend the debt solution that is right for your situation. Our aim is to help you regain control of your finances by:

 

  • Reducing monthly repayments to a realistic and affordable level
  • Stopping creditors taking enforcement action against you
  • Protecting important assets such as your home

If you are struggling to keep up with credit card, loan or debt consolidation repayments, have arrears or are facing legal action from lenders as a result of being unable to repay your unsecured or secured debts, our debt helpline advisers are standing by waiting to help.

 

We advise on the full range of debt solutions including Bankruptcy, Debt Relief Orders, Free Debt Management Plans, IVAs, Trust Deeds, Debt Arrangement Scheme, Administration Orders and Debt Consolidation.


If you need to talk to someone in confidence about your options, there's no need to wait or book an appointment, our free debt advice helpline is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm on 0800 043 40 50.


Get Free Support And Advice Debt Help

Debt Advice Foundation is a registered debt charity (1148498) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (no. 692492).

 

The charity holds the Advice Service Alliance’s Advice Quality Standard (AQS) and is listed by Money Advice Service as an accredited, free provider of debt advice on its online debt advice locator page (the Money Advice Service is an independent service set up by government to help people manage their money).

 

The charity is a member of AdviceUK, the UK's largest support network for free, independent advice centres, as well as the National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS) and all of the charity's advisers are members of the Institute of Money Advisers, a charitable body that aims to promote free money advice and develop professional standards.

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Financial Education


DebtAware is the name of our financial education and information work.


We believe that many people find themselves in serious debt because they have never been taught how to manage money.


We take financial education into the heart of primary schools, because young people should be given the chance to learn money skills at the earliest opportunity.


Find out more at www.debtaware.org.

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Scam Alert If you're in debt, see how we can help you We're raising debt awareness and helping prevent debt through education

Find out more about your options

Bankruptcy
All your qualifying debts are forgiven
After 12 months (typically) you are discharged from bankruptcy
The court can enforce an ‘Income Payments Order’ for a further three years
Your home is at risk
Is Bankruptcy right for you?
IVA
50% to 60% of debt is typically written off
Interest is frozen
Legally protects you and your home from your creditors
Lasts for 5 years and fees are payable
You will have to keep to a fixed monthly budget
Is an IVA right for you?
Debt Management
A single, affordable monthly repayment
Some of your creditors will agree to freeze interest
It is not legally binding
Some companies charge 15% of your monthly payment
You are required to repay the debt in full
Is Debt Management right for you?
Debt Consolidation
Lower monthly repayment
Easier to manage one monthly payment
Credit rating less likely to be affected
The repayment period will increase
The total amount that you owe is likely to increase
Is Debt Consolidation right for you?
Debt Relief Order
Typically debts are discharged after 12 months, there's no need to go to court, debts must not exceed £20,000 and assets must not exceed £1,000.
Is a Debt Relief Order right for you?

Case Studies

An Unexpected Illness

My husband and I are in our late fifties and both had jobs that gave us security and financial independence.  Unfortunately, I became ill and had to give up work. We began to miss payments on our loans, credit cards and even our mortgage.  The fees and charges stated to stack up.  Our unsecured debts had grown to £25,000 and it didn't seem like the banks were really on our side.  We contacted a debt advice company that negotiated with unsecured lenders directly on our behalf.

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