Debt and Savings

01   England, Wales or Northern Ireland support

The Royal British Legion has a team of financial advisors on hand who can offer financial support and debt advice.

Step Change is a charity which offers free, impartial debt advice over the phone.

National Debt line is a free and confidential debt advice service for people in England and Wales.

Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice charity available in England and Wales.

02   Scotland support

The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) is provided by the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau and offers debt advice for forces families, dependants and Reserves in Scotland.

Step Change Scotland provides free debt advice tailored to your individual circumstances and in line with Scottish debt law.

03   Overseas support

The Royal British Legion offers advice to sort out any debts you may have with UK banks and can help you get any UK benefits you are entitled to.

Phone +44 (0)20 3376 8080. Lines are open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week (UK time) or  email info@britishlegion.org.uk

Other useful services

The MoneyHelper website offers a wealth of information, including budgeting tools and planners.

04   New Help to Save scheme

The Government has launched a ‘Help to Save’ scheme across the UK to help working families on tax credits or Universal Credit to build up savings. The new scheme rewards savers, with the Government giving you 50p for every £1 that you manage to save.

To open an account, you need to be resident in the UK and either:

• Claiming Universal Credit and have employment earnings of £722.45 or more for the last month
• Be getting tax credit payments and be eligible for working tax credit.

You are eligible for working tax credit if you work 16 hours a week or more and are either a lone parent or have a partner who is eligible for Carer’s Allowance. Otherwise couples must normally be working at least 24 hours a week between them (with one partner working at least 16 hours).

If you are a couple who meet these tests, you can each open up an individual account; however, it’s not possible to open a joint account.

You’ll need a Government Gateway account to apply and can set one up when you apply at gov.uk before September 2023. Find out more at gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income.