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 advisors 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, LILAs, Debt Arrangement Scheme, Administration Orders and Debt Consolidation.


If you require debt help or 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 5pm on 0800 043 40 50.


Read what others have said about their debt advice helpline experiences.


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Debt Advice Foundation is a registered debt charity (1148498) and is licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (Interim Permissions number 650721).


The charity is a member of AdviceUK, the UK's largest support network for free, independent advice centres and all of the charity's advisors are members of the Institute of Money Advisors, a charitable body that aims to promote free money advice and develop professional standards.

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Debt Education


As well as providing free debt advice and support to those that need help today, we also aim to prevent future debt problems through our research and financial education initiatives in UK schools (Money Diaries).


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The Money Diaries series of education guides for children has been awarded the PFEG quality mark, which shows that they have met the PFEG quality standards
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We have also launched the UK’s first dedicated Money Education Centre for children, which has been awarded PFEG’s Centre of Excellence accreditation.
If you're in debt, see how we can help you We're raising debt awareness and helping prevent debt through education We're tackling the underlying causes of debt through research

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 £15,000 and assets must not exceed £300.
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.

Featured Advisor

Martyn Sommerville
Most people don’t realise that there’s a solution to every debt problem, no matter how serious they think it is.