Dealing with debt, money worries and financial difficulties
When you’re worried about money it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Although it might feel like you’re alone, you aren’t, and always remember that help is never far away.
Published:22 July 2023
1. Make the call
If you’re struggling with your monthly payments – whether it’s your credit card, car or mortgage – the first thing to do is to get in touch with the provider and explain your situation.
Never ignore letters. They’ll keep coming, and what you owe will keep increasing. You could spare yourself a lot of unnecessary stress with just one phone call.
If you are experiencing difficulty repaying any of our cards or loans, you can call us on 0345 301 4971. We’ll discuss your money situation and talk through some of the options that could help. This might include some form of repayment plan or alternatively we can offer you a short term hold, known as breathing space, to give you time to review your finances or seek independent free debt advice.
Please note that this number may be included as part of any inclusive call minutes provided by your phone operator. Calls may be recorded.
2. Talk to a debt advisor
Talking to a professional can make the world of difference – and it’s free. They can help you make the right financial decisions, and perhaps even help you get debt-free quicker than you thought. They’ll also give you tools to help manage your money better in the future.
3. Prioritise your debts
Where possible, try to pay off as much as you can, as soon as you can. You don’t have to wait until the bill comes in. Interest is usually calculated on a daily basis. Paying off multiple debts? Rank them in order of APR and pay as much as possible on the one with the highest APR first, while still paying what you need to on the others.
If you’re struggling to make a payment, it’s important you talk to your lender right away.
4. Check your entitlements
When you’re caught up in how much you owe, it can be easy to overlook what’s owed to you. If you’re on a low income, on benefits or care for someone, make sure you’re getting what’s due to you.
The benefits homepage on gov.uk is a good place to find out more about benefits you might be entitled to.
Charities Turn2us and EntitledTo have handy benefits calculators that can flag up any benefits or grants you might be entitled to. And remember, there are people out there who are always ready to help.
We’ve created some FAQs that talk through some common scenarios.
Important information
The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to the subject matter but does not constitute expert financial advice specific to your own situation. All facts and figures were correct at time of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.