Business debt and financial support charities for self-employed people

By Chris Salmon | Updated: September 12, 2025

If you are self employed and have been injured at work, the sudden loss of income can create serious financial strain. Charities and independent support organisations offer free, impartial guidance on managing debt, accessing grants and stabilising your finances.

At a glance

Several UK charities provide free advice on debt and financial support for the self employed.
Services include debt counselling, budgeting help, grant applications and business advice.
Support is confidential, independent and does not affect your credit rating.
Charities can help negotiate with creditors and guide you towards long-term solutions.

Key charities and organisations

StepChange Debt Charity: Offers free, expert advice on debt management and repayment plans. More details at the StepChange website.
Business Debtline: A dedicated service for small business owners and the self employed, run by the Money Advice Trust. Find resources and helpline numbers at Business Debtline.
Citizens Advice: Provides support on a wide range of financial matters, including benefits, housing and debt. You can find your nearest office through the Citizens Advice website.
Turn2Us: A national charity helping people in financial difficulty access grants and welfare support. Visit Turn2Us for more information.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): Offers members legal and financial advice, including debt support and funding resources. Learn more at the FSB website.

How charities can help

Charities and independent organisations typically offer:

Debt advice tailored to self employed workers.
Assistance with grant or benefit applications.
Help negotiating affordable repayment terms with creditors.
Guidance on budgeting and long-term financial planning.
Access to helplines, online resources and face-to-face support.

Real-world example

A self employed plumber broke his leg on a job and could not work for three months. With bills mounting, he contacted Business Debtline, who helped him negotiate a temporary payment plan with creditors. He also used Turn2Us to apply for a small grant to cover household expenses until he could return to work.

Taking the first step

If you are struggling financially after an accident, reach out to one of these charities as soon as possible. Their advice is free, independent and confidential, and early action can prevent debts from escalating.

External references

Business Debtline - free, independent debt advice for self-employed people and small businesses.
StepChange Debt Charity - advice and solutions for managing personal and business debts.
Citizens Advice: Help with debt - clear guidance on dealing with creditors, arrears and financial difficulty.
Turn2us - charity providing access to grants and welfare benefits support.

About the author

Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.

More about Chris and WAAC

Last reviewed September 2025 by Chris Salmon

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