Debt Advice in Wales: Free Help and Your Options

Where to get free debt advice in Wales

Several free services help people in Wales. We checked these details on 20 October 2026, and hours can change, so check each website before you call.

Which solutions apply in Wales

Wales shares its insolvency rules with England, so the usual solutions are available to people living in Wales:

• [Breathing Space](/debt-solutions/breathing-space): available to people who live or usually reside in England or Wales. The standard version gives 60 days of protection from most creditor action and freezes most interest and charges. You apply through an authorised debt adviser.
• [Debt Relief Order](/debt-solutions/debt-relief-order): for people with debts under £50,000, less than £75 a month in spare income and less than £2,000 in assets. It has no fee, lasts 12 months and must be applied for through an approved debt adviser.
• [Debt management plans](/debt-solutions/debt-management-plan), [IVAs](/debt-solutions/iva) and [bankruptcy](/debt-solutions/bankruptcy): the same rules as in England.
• [Administration orders](/debt-solutions/administration-order): a court-managed payment plan available in England and Wales.

Solutions that are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland has the Debt Arrangement SchemeDebt Help in Scotland and Northern IrelandHow debt solutions and advice differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, including trust deeds, the Debt Arrangement Scheme, DROs and where to get free help.Read more →, protected trust deeds and sequestration instead of some of the solutions above, and Northern Ireland has its own rules. If you read advice written for those nations, it may not apply to you. Our guide to debt help in Scotland and Northern Ireland explains the differences.

Council tax arrears in Wales

Council tax debt is a priority debtPriority and Non-Priority Debts ExplainedLearn which UK debts are priority debts, such as rent, council tax and energy bills, which are non-priority, and why the difference matters.Read more →, because councils have strong powers to collect it. In Wales, the Welsh Government, councils and the Welsh Local Government Association have endorsed a council tax protocol. It is a guide to good practice rather than a law, but it sets out what councils are encouraged to do.

The protocol encourages councils to make early contact, to try to prevent a debt being passed to an enforcement agentBailiffA bailiff, now formally called an enforcement agent, is a person authorised to collect certain debts by taking control of goods or collecting payment.Read more → and to pause recovery if a valid benefit or Council Tax Reduction claim could clear or reduce the debt. It also encourages flexible payment arrangements, such as different payment dates or spreading payments over a longer period, and asks that letters from enforcement agents encourage the use of free debt adviceFree Debt Advice in the UK: Where to Get HelpWhere to get free, confidential debt advice in the UK: the main charities and services, what they do, what to prepare and how to avoid fee-charging firms.Read more →.

If you have council tax arrears, contact your council before the debt escalates, and speak to a free adviser. Our guide to council tax arrears explains your options, and dealing with bailiffs explains what enforcement agents can and cannot do.

Other priority debts and urgent problems

If you are behind on rent, a mortgage or energy bills, speak to a free adviser quickly. Our guides cover mortgage arrears, energy debt and urgent debt help. If you have received a county court judgmentCounty Court Judgments (CCJs) ExplainedWhat a County Court Judgment is, how to respond to a claim, how to pay or set one aside, how long a CCJ stays on your record and how it affects credit.Read more → or a bailiff letterNotice of Enforcement: Bailiff Letter, Your Rights and Fees (UK, 2026)Got a notice of enforcement from a bailiff? Learn the new 14-day notice rule, the fees at each stage and what to do before they visit.Read more →, an adviser can help you respond.

What to have ready before you call

Free advisers can work faster, and give you better advice, if you have your details to hand. You do not need everything in perfect order, and you can still call if you are missing some papers.

• A list of what you owe, who each debt is with and roughly how much, including any letters from collectors
• Your income from all sources, and how often it is paid
• Your main regular outgoings, such as rent or mortgage, council tax, energy, food and travel
• Any court papers, default notices or letters threatening action, with the dates they arrived
• Details of anything you own of value, and any savings

Why it helps to ask for advice for your country

Debt rules are not identical across the UK. Some solutions, such as Debt Relief Orders, apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while Scotland has its own schemes. When you call, mention that you live in Wales so the adviser gives you information that fits your situation. If you have lived in more than one part of the UK, say so, because it can affect which option is open to you.

Help in Welsh

If you would prefer to talk about your money in Welsh, ask the service you contact whether a Welsh-speaking adviser or Welsh-language service is available. Services differ, so ask when you call or check the organisation's website, and do not delay getting help while you wait for a Welsh-speaking adviser if you need advice urgently.

Mistakes that make debt problems harder

Most people who get into difficulty make the same few avoidable mistakes, and almost all of them come from fear rather than carelessness.

• Ignoring letters. Unopened post does not make a debt go away, and court papers have deadlines.
• Paying the loudest creditor first. The creditor who shouts hardest is not always the one with the most serious powers. See priority and non-priority debts.
• Borrowing to cover borrowing. A new loan can feel like a fix, but it often adds cost. Speak to a free adviser first.
• Agreeing to a plan you cannot afford. A payment that is too high is likely to fail, and a failed plan can leave you worse off.
• Paying for something that is available free. Check the free options first. See free versus paid debt advice.

What to do next

Get a clear picture of what you owe, write down your income and spending, and contact a free service. Our debt helplines guide has numbers for every nation, and our debt advice hub explains your first steps. Do not pay for advice you can get free.