Taking control of debt, free debt advice, improving your credit score and low-cost borrowing
Renting, buying a home and choosing the right mortgage
Running a bank account, planning your finances, cutting costs, saving money and getting started with investing
Understanding your employment rights, dealing with redundancy, benefit entitlements and Universal Credit
Planning your retirement, automatic enrolment, types of pension and retirement income
Having a baby, divorce and separation, what to do when someone’s died, choosing and paying for care services
Buying, running and selling a car, buying holiday money and sending money abroad
Protecting your home and family with the right insurance policies
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Select the item below that you're struggling to pay for:
Contact the energy supplier and explain that you’re struggling to pay them. If you are behind with your payments, your supplier should treat you fairly and allow you to repay at a rate you can afford. If you’d like someone to do this on your behalf or need advice find a free debt adviser now.
Read our guide: Talk to people you owe money to
Many suppliers offer extra help to customers who can’t pay their bills. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be disconnected if you’re behind with your payments (as long as you don’t ignore your bill). But you MUST talk to your supplier, so phone them straight away if you haven’t done so.
Talk to everyone you owe money to and see if they will agree to you paying smaller amounts over a longer period. This will help free up cash to pay for essentials.
For more help read our guide: Talk to people you owe money to, or if you’d like someone to help you find a free debt adviser now.
See if your employer can give you an advance on your pay. If you’re claiming benefits and waiting for your first payment, or if your money is late, you can ask Jobcentre Plus for a short-term advance.
Ask family or friends if they can help you. Make sure you draw up an agreement and pay the money back on time. Read our guide: Should you borrow from family and friends?
“I was frightened to speak to my creditors. There are people who do it for you, like StepChange and Citizens Advice and it takes the stress off you…”
Speak to the people you owe money to as soon as possible. They may agree to you making smaller repayments until your financial position improves.
Make sure you know your rights. If you’re struggling to pay back a loan or credit card, your lender has to treat you fairly and with consideration. In particular, they should also allow you reasonable time to repay the debt. This may include freezing their interest and charges or agreeing a repayment plan with you.
A free debt adviser can help you with this and advise you on your rights and options. Find a free debt adviser now.
Use our Budget planner so you can track your income and your spending.
Prioritise your bills and agree to repay what you can afford. Read our guide How to prioritise your bills.
Get free, confidential debt advice. The adviser will be on your side and can help you sort out your money problems. Find a free debt adviser now
Contact your lender as soon as possible and let them know your situation. If you’re struggling with repayments on a payday loan they have to treat you fairly and with consideration. In particular, they have to give you reasonable time to get free debt advice and repay the debt. This may include freezing their interest and charges or agreeing a repayment plan with you
If you’ve agreed a continuous payment authority (also known as a recurring payment), you can cancel it at any time. This may help if you are struggling to pay essential bills but remember, if you do this you will still owe the debt and the lender can go on charging interest and other fees. So it’s essential that you let your lender know and you get free debt advice to help you deal with the loan.
From 1 July 2014 the lender can’t try to collect payment from your account more than twice.
Don’t roll over your loan or consolidate your debts into a new loan unless you know what the lender will charge you for this and you are sure you can repay the loan on the repayment date. Failing to repay on time can quickly lead to your debts spiralling out of control.
To find out more, read our guide Problems paying back a payday loan
Try to hang on until your next payday to buy the item. Taking out a high interest loan means you’ll end up paying a lot more for it. And if you can’t pay the loan back on time you’ll pay extra interest and late payment charges.
Consider buying it second-hand or getting it free from a recycling website like freecycle (external link).
Try contacting your local council (external link) if it’s an emergency and you are on income-based benefits. For example if your boiler's packed up in winter, you can’t afford food, or you’ve come out of care, hospital or prison and need help to stay in your own home. You may be given furniture, clothing, white goods, food grants or money. People on the lowest incomes usually have priority.
Use our Budget planner to find out exactly where your money’s going each month.
“Not only did you help during a time of extreme stress, you also saved my home…“
Contact your landlord or mortgage lender as soon as possible and explain your situation.
Make sure you know your rights. If you have a mortgage and you are struggling with repayments, lenders are required to treat you fairly and with consideration. In particular, they should allow you reasonable time to repay the debt. This may include freezing their interest and charges, and agreeing a repayment plan with you. A free debt adviser can help you do this and advise you on your rights and options.
Get free, confidential debt advice. The adviser will help you prioritise your bills, do a budget and may be able to talk to your landlord or mortgage lender on your behalf. Find a free debt adviser now
For more information read Problems paying your rent or Problems paying your mortgage
See if the repair or bill can wait until next payday when you can afford it. Or ask for time to pay the bill or negotiate a payment plan.
See if your employer will give you an advance on your pay.
Ask family or friends if they can help you. Make sure you draw up an agreement and pay back the money on time. Read our guide: Should you borrow from family and friends?
Pay your holiday bill with a credit card that is offering 0% interest on new purchases. But do not borrow more than you need and make sure you know how you’ll pay it back before the 0% period ends.
Find out if an authorised overdraft from your bank until you get paid is cheaper. Make sure you repay it by the end of the month. Read our guide: Overdrafts explained
Read our hints and tips on how to pay for your holiday
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Our general email address is enquiries@maps.org.uk.
We will normally respond to your enquiry within 48 hours of receipt.