Get support with debts

If you’re struggling with unmanageable debt, you’re not alone. You might feel like you don’t want to talk about it, but getting help to manage your debts can make you feel a lot better, and let you take back control of your finances. So the sooner you seek support, the better.

You don’t need to pay for debt advice. Don’t borrow more money if you’re struggling to pay your debts – get free advice and get back on track.

Get debt advice:

• if you’re a council tenant, get support from your housing officer, who has access to specialist money advice.
• Citizens Advice has a specialist debt advice team – call 023 9400 6600 or email contactus@caportsmouth.org.uk
• Advice Portsmouth has debt advisers – call 023 9279 4340, text 07789 550593 or email advice.portsmouth@theyoutrust.org.uk
• get free debt advice from the national organisations on GOV.UK

A debt adviser will:

• keep everything you say confidential
• never judge you or make you feel bad about your situation
• always be happy to talk to you, however small or big your problem is
• suggest ways of dealing with debts that you might not know about
• check you have applied for all the benefits and entitlements available to you (they will need details of your current income, any savings, housing costs and Council Tax)
• give advice about better ways of managing your money
• tell you if the new Debt Breathing Space could give you more time to find the right debt solution

Tips for getting on top of debt:

• work out what you owe on each of your debts
• work out which debts are a priority – Money Helper explains how to prioritise your debts
• use a Budget Planner to make sure you know what money you have coming in, and what you are spending it on
• work out what you can afford to pay, and speak to the people you owe money to

Make sure your plan to clear your debts is realistic and one that you can stick to. Money helper has lots of information and tips to help you regain control of your debts.

If you borrowed money that you could not afford to pay back, you may be entitled to have those debts written off, or receive compensation for the repayments you made. Debt Camel has a useful page on refunds for unaffordable loans, or you can speak to a debt adviser for help with this.

The National Debtline has factsheets or you can call them on 0808 808 4000.

You can check your credit report for free.