Free expert advice from Stepchange Debt Charity

Scottishpower should be your first port of call if you can’t pay your bill or are worried about energy price issues. Sometimes they may suggest you contact an independent advice organisation, such as Stepchange Debt Charity.

This kind of advice is especially useful if you have wider financial pressures beyond your energy bills, as the experts at Stepchange can help you look at your overall finances, and all the different commitments you have taken on.

As the increase in energy prices puts pressure on already-squeezed households, charity staff are seeing more and more people in need of their assistance.

“Since April, we have seen a rise in the number of customers referred to us from energy providers,” says Miranda Hunt, senior relationship manager for Stepchange. “For the first time, our top four referrers are energy providers, whereas it was previously financial services companies like banks and other lenders.”

Stepchange offers free expert advice to help you deal with your debts and get the support you need. It’s a fully flexible service, meaning you can get advice online or over the phone at a time that suits you.

“When you come to us, we will take you through a series of questions online to build a picture of your income and expenditure, as well as any creditors or debts you may have, such as energy bill arrears, credit cards, overdrafts or loans,” Miranda explains. “We will then look at what practical

“We recommend what’s best for you, then support you to take that next step” debt solutions are available, which might range from a debt management plan to insolvency.

“We make a recommendation of what’s best for you, then we can support you to take that next step.”

The charity recently launched a campaign, Don’t Wait to Get Help, to encourage people to contact them if they are struggling with their finances.

On average, 55 per cent of their clients waited more than a year to get advice – and 92 per cent said they wished they had sought debt advice sooner.

Asked what they would say to someone hesitating to get help, one client responded: “You have nothing to lose except sleepless nights, worry, stress.” While another said: “Don’t think about it, just do it; it’s one of the best things I ever did.”

To take the first step and get help, visit www.stepchange.org/ how-we-help/debt-advice.aspx