Is CrisisCompass free?

Yes. All core tools — Survival Check, Benefits Finder, Hardship Letter Generator, Budget Calculator, Debt Priority Checker, and AI Chat — are completely free. Optional premium PDF documents start from £2.99.

Is CrisisCompass financial advice?

No. CrisisCompass provides general information and tools. For personalised financial advice, we recommend contacting StepChange (0800 138 1111) or Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).

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What happens if you miss credit card payments

Missing a credit card payment

If you miss a credit card payment, the process typically follows several stages. Understanding these stages may help you decide when to take action.

Stage 1: Missed payment (1–30 days)

Your credit card provider will usually contact you to let you know a payment has been missed. A late payment fee may be applied (typically £12). Interest will continue to be charged on the balance.

At this stage, some people find it helpful to contact their provider directly to explain their situation. Many providers have hardship teams that may be able to help.

Stage 2: Continued missed payments (30–90 days)

If payments continue to be missed, the provider may send further letters and attempt to contact you by phone. Further fees may be applied. A marker may be recorded on your credit file.

Stage 3: Default notice (around 90 days)

If the account remains unpaid, the provider may issue a formal **default notice**. This gives you 14 days to bring the account up to date. A default will be recorded on your credit file and typically remains there for 6 years.

Stage 4: After default

If the account is not brought up to date, the provider may:

Pass the debt to an internal collections team

Sell the debt to a debt collection agency

In some cases, apply for a County Court Judgement (CCJ)

What you could consider

**Contact your provider** — many have hardship processes and may agree to freeze interest, reduce payments, or set up a payment plan

**Get free advice** — organisations like StepChange (0800 138 1111) provide free, confidential help

**Use our Hardship Letter Generator** to create a letter to your provider

**Check your priority debts** — credit card debt is typically a non-priority debt, meaning other debts (like rent and council tax) may need attention first

Tools that may help

Generate a Hardship Letter Check Debt Priorities Calculate Your Budget

Frequently asked questions

Will missing a payment affect my credit score?

A missed payment may be recorded on your credit file. A default will typically remain on your credit file for 6 years. However, your credit file can recover over time, especially if you maintain regular payments going forward.

Can my credit card provider take legal action?

In some cases, a provider may apply for a County Court Judgement (CCJ). However, this is typically after several months of missed payments and failed attempts to resolve the situation. Many providers prefer to reach an agreement.

Should I stop paying other debts to pay my credit card?

Credit cards are generally considered a non-priority debt. Priority debts (like rent, council tax, and energy) may have more serious consequences if unpaid. It could be worth speaking to a free advice service to help you prioritise.