Urgent Debt Help: What to Do Today

First: do not panic and do not ignore it

Open any post and read it carefully. Note the dates and the name of the sender. Deadlines on court papers and notices matter. Ignoring them rarely makes the problem go away and often adds costs. At the same time, avoid reacting in ways that make things worse, such as taking out a payday loan or agreeing to pay more than you can afford to someone who is pressuring you.

Step 1: Contact a free adviser now

Call or use the webchat of a free service such as StepChangeStepChange Explained: What It Does and How It WorksWhat the debt charity StepChange offers, how its free debt advice and debt management plans work, who it suits and what to expect when you contact them.Read more →, National DebtlineNational Debtline: How It Works, When to CallWhat National Debtline is, who runs it, what it can help with, how to get free advice by phone, webchat or online tools, and what to expect.Read more → or Citizens Advice, and tell them it is urgent. Say what has happened and when the next deadline is. They can often act quickly, including by arranging Breathing SpaceBreathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)Breathing Space is a government scheme giving you legal protection from creditor action for up to 60 days while you get debt advice. Learn how it works and who qualifies.Read more →, which can give you legal protection from creditorsHow to Deal with Creditors: Communication and NegotiationPractical advice on communicating with creditors, negotiating affordable repayments, and understanding your rights when dealing with the companies you owe.Read more → for up to 60 days. Check each website for current opening hours and contact details. See free debt advice in the UK.

Step 2: Identify the type of emergency

Step 3: Protect priority debts

Priority debtsPriority 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 → are those where the consequences of non-payment are most serious, such as rent, mortgage, council tax, energy and court fines. If money is short, these come before credit cards, loans and catalogues. Do not stop paying a priority debt to clear a non-priority one. See priority and non-priority debts.

Step 4: Get your facts straight

You do not need a perfect file before you ask for help, but a quick list helps:

1. Each debt, who it is owed to, the amount and the minimum payment
2. Your income and essential spending
3. Letters or notices with deadlines
4. Your housing and any arrears

Step 5: Talk to creditors, with advice

Once you have spoken to an adviser, contact creditors to explain that you are getting help and propose a realistic payment. Many creditors will freeze action if they see you are engaging. Keep records of every call and send follow-up letters. See how to deal with creditors.

What not to do

• Do not sign anything you do not understand, especially if you are rushed.
• Do not pay a company upfront to "stop" bailiffs or court action.
• Do not give a stranger your bank details because they promise to clear your debts.
• Do not hide from creditors or move assets to avoid them: it can make matters worse.
• Do not take out new high-cost loans to cover the gap without advice.

If you are in crisis

Debt can seriously affect your mental health. If you are feeling hopeless or thinking of harming yourself, please contact emergency services or a crisis line right now, and tell someone you trust. When you are ready, tell your adviser, because they can take your health into account. MoneyHelper and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute have information on the link between debt and mental health.

A worked example

Jo gets a letter from bailiffs on a Monday morning saying they will visit in seven days. She does not ignore it. She phones a free debt adviser that afternoon, who asks which debt it relates to and checks the paperwork. The adviser helps her contact the creditor to propose a payment plan and, because she is also struggling with other debts, discusses Breathing Space. By Thursday the creditor has agreed to hold off while a plan is arranged. Nothing was fixed overnight, but acting within hours bought time and options.

A one-page checklist

Write down the date and nature of the emergency, the name of the creditor and the amount, the next deadline and the number of the helpline you called. Add what you agreed and what you need to do next. Keep it with your letters. A simple record keeps you focused and gives advisers what they need.

After the emergency

Once the immediate danger has passed, do not drift back into old habits. Book a proper session with a free adviser to look at the whole picture. Rebuild your budget, agree plans with every creditor and start a small buffer. An emergency is often the sign that a longer-term solution is needed, and now is when you have the motivation to put it in place.