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How an adviser can help

An adviser at a free and independent advice agency can help you:

• put together a plan for managing your debt
• create a budget
• prepare to speak to your lender about making a new repayment arrangement
• understand any letters you receive from your lender
• find legal advice or representation, if you have a court date
  

Financial support you may be eligible for

The adviser will also help you explore all the options available to keep your home, including:

• government-backed schemes, like the Mortgage Rescue scheme
  
• benefits or financial support you may be eligible for, like Support for Mortgage Interest

Mortgage Rescue scheme

Ask your adviser about the Mortgage Rescue scheme. It can help if you have tried everything but still can’t pay your mortgage and your lender is taking action to repossess your home.

• Mortgage Rescue scheme

Support for Mortgage Interest

If you are unemployed or working fewer than 16 hours a week, ask about Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). SMI helps you make the interest payments on your mortgage for up to two years.

• SMI - getting help to make your mortgage interest payments

Other benefits and financial support

Your adviser will also look at whether you are eligible for other support, like Council Tax Benefit or tax credits. For more information, follow the links below.

• Benefits and financial support (money, tax and benefits section)

List of approved money advisers

The independent agencies listed below have been approved by the government to give advice about the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and mortgage and debt problems.

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can offer face-to-face advice in one of their local offices.

• Contact your nearest CAB Opens new window

• Find your local CAB in Scotland Opens new window

• Find your local CAB in Northern Ireland Opens new window

Consumer Credit Counselling Service

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) has a helpline providing free and impartial advice. Phone 0800 138 1111 or visit their website for more information.

• Visit the CCCS website Opens new window

National Debtline

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can get help over the phone from National Debtline by calling 0808 808 4000.

• Visit the National Debtline website Opens new window

Payplan

Payplan can offer advice over the phone for people throughout the UK. Phone 0800 280 2816 or visit their website.

• Visit the Payplan website Opens new window

Shelter

In England, call 0808 800 4444 for free and independent advice on avoiding repossession. In Wales, call 0845 075 5005.

• Shelter - advice services directory Opens new window

• Shelter Wales website Opens new window

Your local council

Your local council will be able to help if you are facing repossession or homelessness. They can give you money advice and help you find alternative accommodation, if needed.

• Find your local council Opens new window

Legal advice

Contact Community Legal Advice for confidential and independent legal advice and help finding a solicitor. See the link below for their contact details.

• Community Legal Advice

Checklist – what to take to the adviser

The following is a list of the sort of documents you should take when you see an adviser:

1. any court papers
2. wage/pay slips
3. benefit/pension award letter or book
4. full details of your mortgage, including the account number and type and your lender’s name and address
   
5. rent book/card, including details of ground rent and service charges, if you pay them
6. bills, like Council Tax, water, fuel (eg gas and electricity), telephone (landline and mobile), satellite TV and for anything you rent, like appliances
   
7. bank statements, including details of any loans or overdrafts
   
8. credit card details and any letters from the credit card company
   
9. details of any hire purchase loans and correspondence
10. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Insurance bills
    
11. details of other expenses and housekeeping costs, like travel costs and schools meals

If you speak to an adviser over the phone, have the documents on hand. If you don’t have some of the documents, or they don’t apply to you, find out what else you could bring before your appointment.

More useful links

• Managing debt (money, tax and benefits section)

• Reviewing your current finances (money, tax and benefits section)

Useful contacts

• Home and community useful contacts

• A-Z of local councils

• Communities and Local Government Opens new window