StepChange Debt Charity: Services, Costs and Reviews

StepChange Debt Charity offers free debt advice and several debt-support services. Understand the proposed solution’s eligibility, costs and consequences before agreeing to it.

In this article, we’ll talk about:

• Who Step Change UK is and what they do.
• The types of debt services they offer.
• How they have helped others with their debt.
• Ways you might be able to write off some of your debt.
• Reviews and experiences of people who used Step Change.

A debt adviser can assess your budget and explain suitable options. Getting advice does not guarantee that every debt can be written off or every creditor will accept a proposal.

We’re here to help you understand how Step Change Debt Charity can assist you with your debt. Let’s get started.

Who Are They?

StepChange Debt Charity is the trading name of the Foundation for Credit Counselling, a registered charity. Its services and referral options depend on your circumstances and UK location; for example, self-employed people may need specialist business-debt advice.

An adviser can help assess income, spending and debts and explain available options. No provider can guarantee a particular solution or result before considering the facts.

StepChange’s published regulatory information identifies its charitable status and FCA authorisation. Free debt advice does not mean every formal insolvency solution is free: fees may be included in an IVA or other procedure.

What Debt Services Do They Offer?

StepChange provides debt advice and support with several options, subject to suitability and availability. Services and guidance include: See related guidance.

• Free debt advice
• Debt Management Plans
• Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)
• Debt Relief Order
• Bankruptcy advice
• Scottish debt solutions (see our Step Change Scotland review for details)

A Debt Management Plan is an informal arrangement for suitable unsecured debts. It does not automatically freeze interest, prevent court action or cover priority debts, and reduced payments can harm your credit record. Free providers are available; affordability and suitability should be checked before starting.

A DMP provider can ask creditors to freeze interest and charges, but agreement is not automatic and should be confirmed. Review statements so you know whether interest continues.

StepChange does not charge clients to set up or manage a DMP. Risks still include credit-record damage, continuing interest and possible court action because the arrangement is informal; these are not removed by the absence of a provider fee.

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What Is Their Impact on Debt in the UK?

StepChange publishes annual reports explaining its work and impact. A historic report should be read with its reporting year; old figures should not be presented as “last year” or evidence of a current guaranteed outcome. See related guidance.

Online Reviews

The reviews quoted below describe individual historical experiences and are not a verified current rating or representative survey. Consider service suitability, fees and limitations alongside reviews.

“Stepchange have been brilliant all the way through. They have been helping myself for 3 Years now. Everyone you speak to, has the knowledge and shows great empathy towards your situation.”

[Trustpilot]

But everyone has their critics…

“At first everything was good, then it went downhill. I called them to make a change to my DMP I never received the email review. I’ve tried calling, engaged for 3 days really?“

[Trustpilot]

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Your Questions Answered… 

Below you can find the most common questions people want to ask when thinking about contacting Step Change UK:

Step Change Contact Details