If you’re having debt problems, you’ll find it difficult to make payments to your creditors. You may find that they contact you, and may ask you to make payments you can’t afford in your current situation.

Our free Debt Support could help you with this stress and worry. It will tell you what to expect and what steps your creditors can take to collect the money. We can provide you with all the information you need to understand what your creditors can do.

What debts to pay first

There are so many things you need to pay out each month that it can become difficult to know what you need to pay first. How do you tell a priority debt from a non-priority debt? What makes a mortgage payment more important than a credit card payment?

Some bills are classed as priorities because the consequences of not paying them are greater than the consequences of not paying others. For example, if you don’t pay your rent or your mortgage you could lose your home. You must always pay these before your other debts. 

Help with the financial impact of coronavirus

A number of measures are being rolled out to help people who are struggling financially because of coronavirus. These include payment holidays for credit cards and mortgages, changes to overdraft charges, help for renters and the extension of the moratorium (waiting period) period for debts in Scotland.

The links below highlights what your priority bills are, and what can happen if you don’t pay them. The consequences can vary depending on whether you live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

You’ll also find information about how payments to your priority debts may have changed during the current coronavirus crisis. 

Priority bills for people living in England or Wales?

Priority bills for people living in Scotland?

Priority bills for people living in Northern Ireland?

I can’t keep on top of my priority bills because I have too much debt