A bailiff at the door — minute-by-minute. A council tax summons — the costs and the hearing. A court claim form — deadlines and the response pack. Money taken from wages. An eviction threat — current post-2026 law. Energy disconnection. Nothing left for food. A creditor threatening action.
Immediate free help
Every page above names the emergency route for its situation — and for all of them, free debt advice exists today, by phone, without appointment. Breathing Space can freeze most enforcement for 60 days while advice happens; an authorised adviser applies for it on your behalf.
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If something is happening right now, these pages give you the answer first and the explanation second. No sales pitch, no sign-up, and free help signposted on every one of them.
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation. We would rather you got good advice somewhere than bad advice from anyone.
Debt and mental health are closely connected, and financial crisis can become something much heavier. Samaritans are available free on 116 123, at any hour of the day or night, from any phone. You do not have to be suicidal to call them.
There's a bailiff at the door
You do not have to let them in, and for most debts they cannot force their way into your home on a first visit.
What to do now →
A court claim form has arrived
You have 14 days from service to respond, or 28 days if you file an acknowledgement of service within the first 14.
What to do now →
A council tax summons has arrived
A summons means the council is applying to the magistrates' court for a liability order.
What to do now →
You've been threatened with eviction
Get specialist housing advice today, not general debt advice.
What to do now →
Your energy supplier is threatening disconnection
Disconnection is rare and heavily restricted.
What to do now →
Money is being taken from your wages
An attachment of earnings order requires your employer to deduct money before you are paid.
What to do now →
You can't afford food this week
There is emergency help available today, and you should use it.
What to do now →
A creditor is threatening you
There are firm limits on what creditors and debt collectors can do, and a lot of what frightens people is either not permitted or not actually about to happen.
What to do now →