Useful Links, Help & Advice

In addition to discussing your payment difficulties with us, you may also want to discuss your situation with a professional advisor such as a debt counsellor or a solicitor.

 

There are also sources of free and independent debt advice available. Details of some of these organisations are given below:

MoneyHelper

0800 138 7777 www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

For free, unbiased and easy-to-access money tools, information and advice, including how to access independent free debt advice services. Calls are also free.

0800 138 0555 (Welsh)

Citizens Advice England

0800 144 8848 www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 144 8884.

For advice and information on debt and other topics, visit your local Citizens Advice. 

Citizens Advice Wales

0800 702 2020 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales

Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 144 8884.

For online advice on debt, visit their Help with Debt webpages or visit your local Citizens Advice bureau for advice and information on debt and other topics. 

Citizens Advice Scotland

0800 028 1456 www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland

Offers free, confidential and face-to-face advice. Scotland’s Citizens Advice Helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Calls are free.

Look for your local bureau: www.cas.org.uk/bureaux?postcode=

Link to “Get Advice” page: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/about-us/get-advice-s/

 

GOV.UK

www.gov.uk

Government website providing information on a range of subjects including benefit entitlement, housing, local services, money, tax and pensions.

Money Advice Scotland

www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk

Speak to someone confidentially, by accessing their webchat. They also have a range of resources for people going through the debt advice process including debt terms explained, help accessing your income and expenditure report, and benefits calculator.

StepChange Debt Charity

0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org

Offers a structured programme of advice on how to manage your money.


StepChange’s Debt Advice Line is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.

Housing Advice NI

028 9024 5640 www.housingadviceni.org

Free, confidential impartial advice provided by the Housing Rights Service to the public in Northern Ireland.

Can provide advice by email via their website - visit www.housingadviceni.org/get-advice-email.

 

Shelter

0808 800 4444 www.shelter.org.uk

The housing and homelessness charity. Provides advice about dealing with mortgage arrears.

Shelter’s Helpline is open weekdays 8am to 8pm and weekends 9am to 5pm.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

03448 920 900 www.nihe.gov.uk

Advice for Housing Executive tenants and leaseholders.

Advice on housing benefit, applying for a home, homelessness, grants and more.

Pension Service

0800 731 0469 / 0800 731 0453 (Welsh) www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service

Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say - Dial 18001 then 0800 731 0469

For information and advice, or to make a claim for benefits if you are over state pension age.

The Pension Service Advice Line is open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm.

National Debtline

0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.org

Provides a free, confidential and independent telephone advice service.

Also provides specific advice for help on energy bills. 

Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

www.capuk.org

For free debt advice in your home, first check postcode coverage at www.capuk.org then call 0800 328 0006.

Payplan

0800 280 2816 www.payplan.com

Free debt management plans and confidential advice on debt problems. Webchat also available.

Payplan’s Help Line is open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm.

Advice NI

0800 915 4604 www.adviceni.net/money-debt/debt

Free, confidential tailored debt advice, budgeting advice, solutions to deal with your debt and negotiate with creditors on your behalf in Northern Ireland.

Other useful organisations

Civil Legal Advice
You may get legal aid if your home is at risk. Check at www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice or phone 0345 345 4345. (Open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 12:30pm).

 

Financial Ombudsman Service
If you have a complaint that you can’t resolve with your lender, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be able to help - Phone 0800 023 4567 or visit www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

 

Insurance | If you have recently suffered a life event, such as redundancy or illness, which is causing repayment difficulties, you should check to see if you are covered by any insurance that you may have.

 

Utility Bills | If you are having trouble paying your utility bills or council tax, then the following links provide access to support that may be available from the following providers directly:

Ofgem

Energy UK

Ofwat

Debt Charities also provide specific advice for help on energy bills

National Debtline: energy bill support

Citizens Advice: energy bill support

 

Council tax arrears | Get in touch with your local authority benefits team or look at their website to see whether any discounts or exemption processes are available or alternatively what payment arrangements can be supported

 

Benefit Entitlement | The government website has links to free and independent benefits calculators to help people claim the benefits they are entitled to: https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Please be aware

Some companies target borrowers who are experiencing payment difficulties. Many of these companies charge high fees in return for a promise to “halve your debts” or something similar.

In reality many of these companies provide little or no benefit to the customer and may charge you high fees as well.

If you are experiencing payment difficulties, please contact us to discuss your loan and the options that may be available to you. Alternatively you can contact one of the organisations above that specialises in providing free advice to consumers.

 

Please be wary of any business that:

  • Charges a fee for services such as communicating with Engage Credit on your behalf
  • Guarantees to reduce your debt or help you to avoid liability for any shortfall
  • Instructs you not to contact Engage Credit
  • Suggests that you make your mortgage payments to anyone other than Engage Credit
  • Offers to fill out paperwork for you and asks you to sign documents that you do not understand
  • Asks you to surrender your property