How to get good debt management advice

Though we do work with a professional licensed debt management agency, we'd like to make our clients aware that there are options available out there to assist you with managing your debts that don't cost. Here's a quick guide to three of the best.

National Debtline

• Offers a free telephone (0808 808 4000) and email advice service. Phone lines are open from 9am-9pm on weekdays and 9.30am-1pm on Saturdays. The email service aims to provide a response within a working week.
• They also run an interactive online advice service, My Money Steps - helps you complete a budget so you know where your money goes each month etc.
• For best advice, you need to inform them, your income, assets, the size of your debt and general expenses.
• Other services include "assisted self-help" where it goes through your budget, suggests where income might be increased or expenditure decreased and explains the available options. It also offers template budget sheets and summary budget statements.
• National Debtline does not contact creditors on your behalf but will give sample letters for people to use when contacting creditors. Where suitable it will process DRO applications
• Online Services include Sample letters, self-help pack, budget sheets, fact sheets, review packs and information guides

Citizens Advice Bureau

• One on one advice, email advice, over the phone, or offer home visits. call. Phone from a national helpline in Wales (08444 77 20 20) and in some parts of England (call 08444 111 444 – If by any means your area is unreachable, you will get a prompt
• Give appropriate information for better advice e.g. your actual financial situation. Any paperwork which you have will be useful.
• The adviser will explain to you your options and possible outcomes of different courses of action, but they encourage you to make your own decisions.
• They can help you negotiate with companies and creditors, prioritize problems or refer you to specialist caseworkers to deal with major problems.
• Citizens Advice in addition can telephone companies and service providers or write letters or on your behalf if need be. They then set up a free debt management plan
• See also their online advice guide

StepChange Debt Charity

• Offers telephone helpline (0800 138 1111 for all users for free and open weekdays from 8am-8pm and 9am-3pm on Saturdays, an online debt remedy tool an email and live chat service.
• For better help, avail to them details of your debts, income, expenses and any other household costs, and value of assets you own, e.g. your home
• An adviser will help you draw up a budget based on your income and expenditure and advise you on the most appropriate debt solution.
• If requested they can contact your creditors
• Except where an IVA is entered into all other advice and services are free. No payments upfront.
• It offers a range of debt advice online e.g. dealing with bailiffs, court actions, and advice on what to do if your circumstances change, It also has an online benefits checker to make sure people are claiming all the benefits to which they are entitled and others

But if you still decide you'd like paid professional help, please either contact us on 0845 1260350 or complete our Debt management enquiry form.