Free Debt Advice Locator — find a free, regulated adviser

Free debt advice gives you the same solutions — without the fees

The single most important thing to know when you're in debt: you never have to pay for debt advice. Free, regulated charities offer exactly the same formal solutions as paid “debt management” firms — a Debt Management Plan, IVA, DRO or bankruptcy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; DAS, a Protected Trust Deed, sequestration or the Minimal Asset Process in Scotland — at no cost. The locator above lists only free, regulated services, filtered by the nation you live in, with every phone number checked at source.

Who to contact

StepChange (0800 138 1111) covers the whole UK by phone and online. National Debtline (0808 808 4000) helps in England and Wales, and Business Debtline (0800 197 6026) is the one for the self-employed and small businesses. In Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) and Advice Direct Scotland (0808 196 2316) know the Scottish solutions; in Northern Ireland it's Advice NI (0800 915 4604). MoneyHelper (0800 011 3797), the government's own service, and Christians Against Poverty, which offers face-to-face help through local churches, both cover the whole UK.

How to spot a rip-off firm

Paid firms and outright scammers target people in debt heavily, so a little caution protects you:

• Never pay upfront or “consultation” fees. Free charities never charge — if someone wants money to help you with debt, walk away.
• Check the firm on the FCA register (register.fca.org.uk) before sharing any details. No listing, no deal.
• Reach services through their official website, not a Google ad. Paid ads impersonating charity names are common; the ad may not lead where you think.
• Distrust “we'll write off your debt” or “government scheme” claims. Formal write-offs exist but have strict conditions; blanket promises are mis-selling.
• Ignore pressure and cold calls. Good advice is patient and tailored, never a one-size-fits-all sell.

Nation matters

The protections differ by country. In England and Wales, ask a free adviser about Breathing Space — a 60-day pause on interest and enforcement (an FCA-regulated adviser applies for you). Scotland uses the Debt Arrangement Scheme instead, which freezes interest and charges while you repay. Northern Ireland has its own routes through Advice NI. The locator defaults to showing the right services for your nation.

This page is general information, not debt advice, and finrato.com is independent and not affiliated with any of these organisations or with the government. Details were verified in July 2026; always confirm on each provider's official website, and check any firm on the FCA register before sharing personal or financial information. If you're struggling, our bill prioritiser can help you see which debts to tackle first while you wait to speak to an adviser.

Frequently asked questions

Is free debt advice really as good as paid?

Yes — often better. Free charities are FCA-regulated or government-backed and offer the identical formal solutions (DMP, IVA, DRO, bankruptcy; in Scotland DAS, Trust Deeds, sequestration). MoneyHelper, the government service, confirms free advice meets the same standard. Paying adds cost, not quality.

Will getting advice hurt my credit score?

Simply speaking to an adviser does not affect your credit file. Some formal solutions (a DMP, IVA or bankruptcy) do leave a mark, but that reflects the debt situation itself — and an adviser will explain the trade-offs before you commit to anything.

What if I run a business or I'm self-employed?

Use Business Debtline (0800 197 6026) — it specialises in self-employed and small-business debt, including how personal and business debts interact. It's free, like the others.