Anyone can use the service and you can get a referral from your bank
Big name banks such as Barclays can refer their customers to PayPlan(Image: Getty)
Customers with big name banks such as HSBC and Barclays may want to check out a little-known service. Anyone can access the help and people can get a referral from their bank provider to the free service.
PayPlan offers a range of tailored help to people who are in debt, helping create a payment plan to clear any amounts they owe and to build financial resilience going forward. Many of the traditional high street banks will refer people to them, as well as challenger savings providers such as Zopa and Monzo.
Rachel Duffey, CEO of PayPlan, said: “Many customers are referred to PayPlan by their bank or lender, often when signs of financial difficulty first emerge. We train our partners to identify these early warning signs and actively refer their customers through to us for guidance, support and advice.” She said most people will contact them online. A hugely popular option is to getting in touch through WhatsApp. There is a virtual assistant, Speak about Money (SAM) available 24/7 to get you started.
Building a full picture
You can also contact them over the phone, by calling 0800 316 1833 – anyone can reach out to them for help. Ms Duffey explained how they put a plan together for a user.
Anyone can end up struggling with debt(Image: Getty)
She said: “We build a full picture of the person’s situation with them, including their income, essential outgoings and who they owe money to. That gives us a realistic budget and shows what they can afford to pay towards their debts.
“We then explain the options available, which can range from budgeting help to arranging a formal debt solution. The customer will always decide what’s best for them.” If the person opts for a plan, PayPlan will contact their creditors on their behalf to set up a single affordable monthly payment, which can be distributed to each creditor.
Reality check
The debt expert said there is an unfair stigma that debt is the result of poor financial decisions or personal failure. Ms Duffey said: “That simply doesn’t reflect the reality we see every day. Debt is often driven by life events such as relationship breakdown, illness, job loss, rising living costs or unexpected expenses.
“Increasingly, we’re also seeing working professionals, homeowners and people in full-time work needing support.” She said those who don’t fit the stereotype of someone in debt are often the most reluctant to ask for help.
People who are less likely to ask for the help they need include:
Middle-income earnersProfessionalsBusiness ownersHome owners.
Ms Duffey said: “Many worry about being judged by family, friends or colleagues, which can lead them to struggle in silence for longer than necessary.”
Rising cost of living
The number one cause of debt among people who asked PayPlan for support in 2026 was the rising cost of living. People aged 35 to 44 are especially struggling, with 30 per cent of people in this cohort saying rising bills were caused them to get into debt.
Ms Duffey said: “Ongoing cost of living pressures and the experience of not having enough money for so long has become exhausting for people.”
Partner groups
PayPlan said these are its core partners who regularly refer customers to them for help and support:
NatWest GroupSantanderLloyds Banking GroupHSBCBarclaysOctopus EnergyPRA GroupCabotLowellLanternNationwide Building SocietyTesco BankMetro BankMonzoLendableZopaVanquis Banking GroupCapital OnePayPalCreation FinanceVirgin MoneyClose BrothersKensington MortgagesOSB GroupPepper GroupTopaz FinanceCoventry Building SocietyNewcastle Building SocietyAdvantis CreditCOEOResolvecallAICARC EuropeDigital DRAOpos.