Struggling with money? This guide will help you to start solving your money problems, and tell you where you can go for more support.

What's on this page:

  • Making your money go further
  • Income changes
  • Managing payments and debt
  • Borrowing money
  • Money worries and mental health
  • Speak to us

Making your money go further

Create a budget

A budget is one of the best ways to get in control of your finances. It will help you to see where your money is going, how much you need to cover bills and essentials, and where you might be able to reduce spending.

Try the Money Advice Service Budget Planner

Review your payments

Once you’ve looked at your budget and outgoings, it can help to review your Direct Debits and Standing Orders to identify any non-essential spending which you might be able to go without for a while. Many people have unused memberships or subscriptions that they may be able to cancel - things like film or music subscription services. There may also be more affordable options available.

You can usually end a Direct Debit or Standing Order online or by phone but you should always check if your subscription is in contract to avoid any cancellation fees.

Discover ways to make savings on your usual purchases on the Money Advice Service website.

You could also think about whether there’s anything that you could do without, like cutting back on takeaways or magazines.

Review your utility suppliers

It’s often possible to save money by switching suppliers for utilities like electricity or broadband. We’ve partnered with Switchd to make switching energy easy.

Find out more about Switchd

Income changes

We know that a change to your income; whether it's due to job loss, being furloughed or reduced earnings; can make things more difficult. Financial support is available, whether you are employed or self-employed.

Support if coronavirus has impacted your job

If you’ve lost your job

Government guidance on financial support available if you’ve lost your job

If you've been furloughed

Government guidance on support for furloughed employees

If you’re self employed

Government guidance on what to do if you’re self-employed and getting less work or no work

Benefits you might be able to claim

To help you find the support you need, we’ve teamed up with Policy in Practice, who are recommended by GOV.UK to offer you a free to use, anonymous, independent benefits calculator.

Their calculator can help you to find out what benefits you could get, how to claim and how your benefits will be affected by changes in your employment or working hours.

What you'll need

You’ll need accurate information about your:

  • savings
  • income, including your partner’s (from payslips, for example)
  • existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)
  • outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments)
  • council tax bill

Try the Policy in Practice benefits calculator

Manage income changes with a budget

If your financial situation has been impacted as a result of changes to your employment, it can be helpful to create a budget. This will help you to get clear on the money you have coming in and going out, and spot where you might be able to make some changes.

Managing payments and debt

Keeping up with payments

If you’re worried about missing payments for upcoming bills such as your water, gas, electricity or council tax bills, speak to your supplier or local authority as soon as possible. Many providers can offer special payment assistance to help during difficult times.

If you’re renting and are worried about meeting your monthly payments, speak to your landlord as they may be able to help. For more information, read the Government guidance on financial support available to tenants.

Managing debts

If you’re already in debt, it’s important to clear your priority debts first. These are the debts which carry serious penalties when not paid, such as your mortgage, rent or council tax.

If you’re worried about missing a debt payment, always speak to your supplier as soon as possible as they may be able to help make things easier to manage with special payment assistance.

Find out more about how to prioritise your debts from the Money Advice Service website.

Get free confidential advice from a debt adviser

It’s always best to talk to someone as soon as possible if you’re feeling concerned about your finances. The sooner you seek advice, the sooner you can start to feel back in control again. If you have debts with multiple providers, a third party debt adviser can help. They’ll discuss your situation without judgement, and help you to find ways to manage your debts, however large or small.

There are many free debt advice services available, providing online, phone and face-to-face support, so you can get help in the way that best suits you.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice offers free, independent, confidential and impartial debt advice online through their web chat service and by phone.

StepChange Debt Charity

StepChange provides expert advice, budget support and solutions to help you manage your debts.

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.

PayPlan

PayPlan offers an online debt solution tool, PlanFinder. The tool will give you a personalised debt solution in as little as 15 minutes. They also offer free live chat and email support.

Borrowing money

It’s important to carefully consider whether borrowing money is the right option for you. You can find lots of advice on borrowing money on the Money Advice Service website.

If you’re struggling to find a lender

Get advice on what to do if you’ve been refused credit or a loan, from the Money Advice Service. Including how to improve your credit rating and suggestions of alternative borrowing options.

Managing borrowed money

For advice on managing money you’re already borrowing, visit our guide to managing borrowed money.

Managing money worries and mental health

Money and mental health often go hand in hand. Worrying about money can make your mental health worse, and poor mental health can make it harder to manage your money.

If you feel like your money worries are impacting your mental health, or if mental health issues are making it harder to manage your money, the charity ‘Mind’ offers brilliant advice.

Visit the Mind website for advice on money and mental health.

Benefits you may be entitled to

If you struggle with your mental health, you may be able to claim welfare benefits to help you financially.

Find out about mental health and welfare benefits

Support with gambling problems

Advice on gambling habits from GamCare

Speak to us

If you’re struggling or falling behind on your payments with us, our dedicated team is here to help.

Find out how we can help

Get free, independent advice

If you’re worried about debt or money, you can get free, independent advice, online or over the phone, from:

StepChange is a debt charity operating across the UK.
StepChange Debt Charity

Citizens Advice gives free, confidential information on money, legal and consumer problems.
Citizens Advice

National Debtline is a leading debt advice charity.
National Debtline

Money Advice Service is free and gives impartial money advice.
Money Advice Service

You may be able to get face-to-face advice, although these services could be limited during the pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) help and support

We’re here to help if you have any worries regarding coronavirus whether it’s money, managing your accounts, getting to branch or fraud.

Related links