Worried About Debt or Money?
If you are struggling with rent, bills, council tax, loans or benefit issues, we are here for you.
Youth Legal provides free, confidential debt and money advice to young people aged 16-25 and families with children across London. We help you understand your options and take practical steps to reduce stress and stabilise your finances.
How We Can Help
- Understand what you owe and who you owe it to
- Identify which debts are urgent (priority debts)
- Communicate with creditors on your behalf
- Explore repayment or insolvency options
- Maximise your income through benefits or other entitlements
Get in Touch
Our debt adviser can help you work through your situation and find a way forward. All advice is free and confidential.
Call 020 3195 1906 or use our online form.
Know Your Rights
Read our guides on common debt and money issues. These are written in plain language to help you understand your rights and options.
Benefits & Entitlements
Universal Credit and your entitlement
You need to meet certain conditions to claim universal credit
Discretionary Housing Payment for financial support
Struggling with rent or housing costs? Discretionary Housing Payments can help cover shortfalls. Learn who qualifies, how to apply, and what your council can offer.
Benefit shortfall
You can be on a benefit shortfall when your eligible benefits are less than their essential living costs, particularly housing costs, or when your payments are reduced due to specific circumstances or rules.
Passported Benefits
Passported benefits are additional benefits or schemes you automatically qualify for because you already receive certain core benefits, such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit, acting as a "passport" to other help, such as help with health costs, free school meals, the Warm Home Discount, or help with funeral costs. These benefits provide extra support to you and your family by simplifying access to a range of essential services and discounts.
Universal Credit
Under 25 and struggling with money? You may be able to claim Universal Credit. Learn who qualifies, how to apply, and what support is available.
Priority or Non-Priority Debt: Social Fund Loans
DWP social fund loans are usually non-priority debts unless you receive certain benefits. Learn how repayments work and what to do if you are struggling to pay.
Priority or Non-Priority: Benefit Overpayment
Although it is meant to be a non-priority debt, benefit overpayments are usually a priority debt because relevant authorities can take enforcement action that may result in a reduction of your current and future income, leading to a shortfall in your existing benefit which may lead to rent and other arrears.
Bills & Utilities
How to estimate your energy use
You can find out how to calculate how much gas and electricity you use - and how much it will cost, based on current rates
Energy Cap and Your Fuel Bills
The energy price cap is often talked about as a particular price, based on a 'typical' user. Quotes for gas and electricity deals are often similarly based on this. But what does it actually mean for you?
Phone Bills
Phone bills work by combining a monthly plan fee (for data, calls, texts) with charges for anything used outside that allowance, plus device payments if you have a phone contract.
Non-Priority Debt: Phone Debt
Usually, phone debt is treated as a non-priority, particularly because pay-as-you-go mobiles are a flexible solution to a disconnected landline or a discontinued mobile phone contract.
Priority Debt: Gas and Electricity
The debts are treated as a priority and they need to be directed to a debt adviser. You may be disconnected or self-disconnect if bills are not paid. Therefore, to explore their rights and options, you are required to be referred internally for debt advice.
Dealing with Debt
Personal Insolvency options in England
In England, insolvency options are broadly divided into procedures for individuals and companies. These range from rescue-focused agreements to formal closure or debt write-off processes.
Debt recovery for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) goods
Debt recovery for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) goods involves debt collection agencies, potential court action, bailiffs, and credit score damage. Missed payments incur fees and can lead to lenders using continuous payment authorities (CPAs) to recover funds. Unpaid debts are treated as credit agreements, potentially leading to debt management plans.
The primary difference between the N244 and N245 court form in debt
The primary difference between the N244 and N245 forms in the UK County Court system is that Form N244 is a general application used for various court requests (including setting aside a judgment), while Form N245 is a specialized, simpler application used specifically to vary payment terms or suspend a warrant.
A criminal court means form
A criminal court "means form" (officially Form MC100: Statement of Means) is a document used by Magistrates' Courts in England and Wales to assess a defendant's income and financial circumstances. It determines the appropriate level of a fine, ensures payment compliance, or evaluates eligibility for legal aid
Who are the Financial Ombudsman Service?
If you are not happy with the outcome of the complaints from a financial firm. It could be from a debt advice service such as Youth Legal, you can take your complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). FOS is the independent, free-to-use UK body that settles disputes between a customer and financial services businesses. It acts as a fair and impartial alternative to going to court and has the power to make legally binding decisions on financial firms.
Role of a credit reference agency in UK
If you are unsure about your credit rating and whether you can borrow money, or if you may have defaulted on your payments, UK Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) collect and store your financial data to create credit reports and scores used by lenders to assess credit applications. The three main CRAs are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, which hold most consumer data. They share information on your payment history, credit accounts and public records (such as the electoral roll and CCJs), helping lenders assess creditworthiness, verify identity, prevent fraud and support debt recovery.
Differences between priority and non-priority debts
If you do not pay priority debts it can lead to losing your home, essential services or imprisonment
Your Debt Options
If you owe money to your ‘creditors’ you may want to consider making arrangements to pay your debts or other debt options. Your options depend on the amount of money, assets you have and your personal circumstances. There are many options a debt adviser can explore with you.
Six Stages of debt advice
In order for you to get the best service a debt adviser follows six key stages of the formal debt advice process, which involve a systematic approach to assessing your financial situation and developing a sustainable plan.
Breathing Space from debt
The Breathing Space scheme, formally known as the Debt Respite Scheme, is a government-backed initiative in England and Wales designed to give you a temporary legal protection from creditors while you seek professional debt advice.
Lender owes you money
If a lender owes you money, you should first try to resolve the issue directly with the firm, and if that fails, escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) or consider legal action.
Illegal Lenders
Illegal Lenders – it is difficult to identify whether there are illegal lenders or not.
Enforcement & Bailiffs
Complain against an enforcement agent
How do you complain against an enforcement agent? The Enforcement Conduct Board is the independent oversight body for the enforcement (bailiff) sector. They are here to make sure that everyone experiencing enforcement action is being treated fairly.
Enforcement Agent v Debt Collection company
Do you know the difference between an enforcement agent and a debt collection company? The main difference is legal power: a bailiff (enforcement agent) acts for the courts and can seize goods to settle debt, while a debt collector works for a creditor and only has the power to request payment, lacking the authority to take possessions or force entry. of monthly income, including wages, benefits, and pensions.
Enforcement Agents
Bailiffs at your door? Know your rights. Learn what enforcement agents can and cannot do, when they can enter your home, and how to challenge unfair visits.
Food & Crisis Support
Food Support
If don't have food at home, Youth Legal can refer you to your local foodbank.
Non-Priority Debts
Statute Barred Debt
Is your debt statute barred? Learn what statute barred means, when debts become unenforceable after 6 years, and how to check if creditors can still chase you. Free guide from Youth Legal.
Non-Priority Debt: Penalty Charge Notice
Penalty Charge Notice is non-priority because non-payment of the debt does not lead to the risk of imprisonment, losing essential services or losing their home.
Non-Priority Debt: Phone Debt
Usually, phone debt is treated as a non-priority, particularly because pay-as-you-go mobiles are a flexible solution to a disconnected landline or a discontinued mobile phone contract.
Non-Priority: Overdraft Debt
Overdraft debt is a non-priority debt just like loans and credit cards in terms of the debt owed is not secured over anything and interest and charges would accrue.
Non-Priority Debt: Unsecured Loans and Credit Cards
Unsecured loans are when the loan you have borrowed is not secured on an asset, such as a home or car. These loans are non-priority.
Priority Debts
Priority Debt: Court Fines
If you have unpaid court fines, they are considered priority debts, meaning they should be paid before non-priority debts like credit cards or unsecured loans. Failure to pay can lead to aggressive enforcement measures.
Priority or Non-Priority Debt: Social Fund Loans
DWP social fund loans are usually non-priority debts unless you receive certain benefits. Learn how repayments work and what to do if you are struggling to pay.
Priority or Non-Priority Debt: Credit Union Loans
They are usually non-priority debts but it can be in your best interests to treat credit union debt differently.
Priority Debt: Fixed Penalty Notices
Fixed Penalty Notices are issued by an authorised officer, such as the police, for a specific offence, such as littering or speeding. This is always treated with priority.
Priority or Non-Priority: Benefit Overpayment
Although it is meant to be a non-priority debt, benefit overpayments are usually a priority debt because relevant authorities can take enforcement action that may result in a reduction of your current and future income, leading to a shortfall in your existing benefit which may lead to rent and other arrears.
Priority Debt: Gas and Electricity
The debts are treated as a priority and they need to be directed to a debt adviser. You may be disconnected or self-disconnect if bills are not paid. Therefore, to explore their rights and options, you are required to be referred internally for debt advice.
Priority Debt: Mortgage Arrears
If repossession is imminent, urgent advice should be given as an emergency via triaging if a debt adviser is not available, such as housing options or setting aside the warrant. This is a priority debt and if you do not pay the debt, it may result in the repossession of the property.
Priority Debt: Rent Arrears
If you're behind on your rent and worried about losing your home, we can help. Rent arrears are treated as a priority debt because unpaid rent can lead to eviction. Contact us for free advice on your rights and options.
Other
Priority Debt: Secured Loan
This loan is secured either over the property or someone's assets which may make the debt a priority. However, it is usually another loan on top of the existing mortgage. Internal referral to a debt adviser is required.
Need Advice Now?
If you are worried about debt collectors, bailiffs, or losing your home, do not wait. Contact us today for free, confidential advice.
Ways to Reach Us
Chat with us
Our chatbot can help with debt and money questions 24/7