5 things to do first when you're in a financial crisis

When money runs out and bills pile up, it's hard to know where to start. The anxiety can be paralysing. But taking even one small step can start to shift things.

Here are the five most impactful things you can do today:

1. Stop and breathe

Before anything else, take a moment. Financial stress is one of the most overwhelming experiences — and making decisions in panic rarely helps. Our Survival Check starts with a breathing exercise for this reason.

2. Work out exactly what you owe

Write down every debt, every bill, every payment you're behind on. Include:

This step alone removes the fear of the unknown.

3. Check what benefits you're missing

Millions of people in the UK miss out on benefits they're entitled to. Use our Benefits Finder to check — you might be surprised. Common ones people miss:

4. Contact your priority creditors first

Priority debts have the most serious consequences. Call your council about council tax, your landlord about rent, and your energy supplier about bills. Most have hardship teams. If you can't face calling, use our Hardship Letter Generator instead.

5. Get free professional help

You don't have to figure this out alone. These services are completely free and confidential:

Remember: your situation is temporary. Thousands of people in the UK recover from financial crisis every month.