MoneyHelper
Get free, impartial information and tools on how to manage your money.
Living with less income
What to do when your income goes down
Help when things change
When John lost his job, he faced a reality he wasn’t expecting – he needed to support his family and had unpaid bills. Read about some of the support available to John.
The impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) has meant this has happened to many people recently.
But whether you’ve lost your job, had to accept a salary reduction, or lost work or shifts, it’s important to keep a clear head. Think sensibly and take the actions that are right for your individual circumstances.
Here are a few things to consider that could help get you back on your feet.
John’s story shows typical situations people find themselves in and how we can help. You’re not alone – we’re here to help you.
John’s story
John always had a steady job, so he’d never worried about the possibility of being out of work and being left in a challenging financial situation.
His change in income meant that supporting his family, paying bills and making mortgage payments became a little more difficult.
The weeks went by and more and more bills went unpaid. Everything was building up and he felt stressed by the situation.
John’s next steps
John called us to explain his situation – we told him it’s more common than he might think, and that most banks are prepared for it.
We worked with John to create a repayment plan, so John could manage his day-to-day expenses while still making repayments.
We also introduced John to the Barclays app, to help him keep on top of his finances.
On the app, he found helpful features, like the spending section that showed him exactly where his money is going.
He was also able to add his accounts from other providers, so he could see all his balances and transactions in one place.
We told John it would be reported to credit reference agencies before he agreed to the monthly repayment plan, and that it could affect his ability to get credit in the future. For him, entering into the repayment plan was still better than continuing to miss payments.
How we can support you
Our Money Mentor team shows you where you can get tailored information to help through this challenging time.
Contact us
Worried you’ll miss a payment?
Help is always at hand. As soon as you think you might have some financial difficulties, give us a call – it could help make things better.
Have some information about your financial situation ready, before you call, including your income and outgoings. You might be talking for a while – we’ll want to understand your situation in detail, so make sure you set aside some time.
Mortgages – 0333 202 7492 Monday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm, Friday, 8am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
Barclaycard – 0800 051 8346 Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm
Overdraft and Barclayloan – 0333 202 7412 Monday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm, Friday, 8am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
Self-employed or have a business? Get some support
Missed a payment and want to catch up?
If you’ve missed a payment on your Barclayloan, overdraft or Barclaycard, you might be able to pay it using the Barclays app1, – or give us a call.
Overdrafts and Barclayloan – 0345 703 4034 Monday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm, Friday, 8am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
For a mortgage or Barclaycard, please call the relevant number in the section above.
Extra help and advice
StepChange
Get expert advice and fee-free debt management, so you can tackle your debts.
National Debtline
Free help and advice on dealing with your debt.
Citizens Advice
Free online advice to help you find a way forward, whatever the problem.
Other information you might find useful
Managing your money
Getting your budget back on track
Debt and mental health
Keeping your spending and mental health in check
Mental health and money management can be linked. Sarah’s mental health led to her spending more than she could afford, which added to her anxiety.
Ways to borrow
Our guide on what to think about
Find out what your options might be, and how we could help you get the money you need.
Living with less income
Keeping on top of your money when there's less of it
Life can sometimes throw unpleasant surprises at you, and one that can be particularly worrying is when your income goes down unexpectedly.
Money management
The cost of living and your everyday finances
With the cost of living going up, now’s a good time to keep a close eye on your finances. Whether you need budgeting basics, smart ways to save or tools to help you take control of your cash, we’ve got lots of guidance for you. Explore the topics below to get started.
Need help with money troubles? Take a look at our Money worries page.
