Financial Advice and Support
Here you will find useful links and contact details of organisations that can offer help and advice if you are worried about money or any other concerns.
Disclaimer: This page contains links to third party websites. While we try our best to check their accuracy, we cannot be held responsible for their content. The provision of these links does not constitute an endorsement of any third party website by Gosport Borough Council.
StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS, the Consumer Credit Counselling Service)
Registered charity offering free, impartial, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt. Dealing with debt can be a stressful experience but it need not be a challenge you face alone. Step Change Debt Charity has been providing free debt help to people across the UK for over 15 years. The services they can offer include debt counselling, personal budgeting, advice on borrowing and advice on setting up realistic debt repayment plans. StepChange can also help with identifying your highest priority debts and living expenses and can help you negotiate with your creditors. Use their online tool, StepChange Debt Remedy, for an instant assessment of your situation with free advice tailored to your individual needs.
- Website: www.stepchange.org
- StepChange Debt Remedy (online debt counselling service)
- StepChange Guide to debt management plans
- Tel: 0800 138 1111
Opening Times: Monday-Friday 8.00am-8.00pm; Saturday 8.00am-4.00pm
National Debtline
National Debtline logo Free, confidential and independent telephone helpline service on debt issues. Offers specialist advice, self-help materials and individually tailored Debt Management Plans. Language Line, an interpreter service, is available offering professional telephone interpreters in over 100 languages to translate what you and the adviser are saying to each other.
- Tel: 0808 8084000
- Line open: Monday-Friday 9.00am - 9.00pm. Saturday 9.30am - 1.00pm
- Website: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
My Money Steps
Struggling to pay credit cards, loans or household bills? My Money Steps is a free and easy to use online debt advice service from National Debtline. It will give you a personalised action plan to manage your debts and help get rid of the stress that goes with them.
Website: nationaldebtline.org
Money Helper
The Money Helper Service provides clear, impartial information about UK financial services to help you manage your money better and make more informed financial service choices. The website contains a section devoted to getting free debt advice . The Money Advice Service was set up by the government, is funded by the UK financial services industry and is run by an independent chair and board, appointed by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
- Tel: 0300 500 5000 - calls should cost no more than 01 or 02 UK-wide calls and are included in inclusive mobile and landline minutes. You can also ask to be called back.
- Opening Times: Monday-Friday 8.00am-8.00pm. Saturday 9.00am-1.00pm
- Website: www.moneyhelper.org.uk/
Debt advice from Shelter
Shelter, the housing charity offers advice on dealing with debts and advice on where to get expert help .
- Website: england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice
Debt Advice Foundation
Debt Advice Foundation logo Registered UK debt advice charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt. Can offer you information on what options are available to you based on your own personal circumstances.
- Tel: 0800 043 40 50
- Lines Open: Monday-Friday 8.00am - 8.00pm. Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm
- If you're calling from a mobile phone, you can ask to be called back.
- Website: www.debtadvicefoundation.org
Debt Support Trust
The Debt Support Trust is a national charity offering advice on dealing with debts, including the use of debt management plans, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), Bankruptcy, Protected Trust Deeds* and Sequestration* (*for people living in Scotland).
- Website: www.debtsupporttrust.org.uk
- Helpline: 0800 085 0226
- Opening times: Monday-Friday 8.00am - 7.00pm
Business Debtline
Business Debtline logo The Business Debtline provides a free telephone debt counselling service for the self-employed and small businesses facing financial hardship.
- Tel: 0800 197 6026
- Lines open: Monday-Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm
- Website: www.bdl.org.uk
Gov.uk guide to dealing with debt problems
Step-by-step guidance provided by the UK Government's public services access website: www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Advice Guide
CAB Advice Guide logo Online help provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Legal Aid
Legal Aid can help you pay for legal advice, mediation or representation in court if you can't afford it. This could include help for housing or debt problems. The Gov.uk website has an online Legal Aid checker to help you find out if you are entitled to this help.
- Legal Aid on the Gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/legal-aid
Gov.uk Benefits Adviser
Many people are missing out on benefits and tax credits by not knowing that they may be entitled to them. The Benefits Adviser is an online questionnaire to help you find out which benefits and tax credits you and your family may be entitled to. No personal information is required. The Benefits Adviser tool is provided by Gov.uk, the UK government's public services access website: www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser