Struggling With Credit Card Bills After An Accident?
Tomasz’s story
In a car accident, Tomasz broke his leg and badly bruised his ribs. As a self-employed courier, he wouldn't be able to work until he’d fully recovered – but that meant no income.
His wife’s wages were covering the mortgage, but with just one income there was no way they’d be able to get the bills paid as well. When Tomasz should have been resting, he was worrying himself sick about money.
Tomasz knew he wouldn’t be able to work for at least three months, during which time he’d miss some payments and would also incur fees and charges. Realising there was nothing he could do, he called Barclaycard to let us know what was going on with his finances. He wanted to tell us:
- he couldn't make the next repayment on his card
- he’d borrowed money from a friend but it still wasn’t enough
- what little money he had went on the electricity bill
How Barclaycard helped
When he rang Barclaycard, Tomasz got through to one of our advisers, Adam.
- Adam gave Tomasz time to explain things in his own words and wasn’t judgemental or demanding, as Tomasz had feared
- Together they agreed how to get through the next few months, working out what Tomasz could afford for now and putting a longer term plan in place so he could catch up when he was getting paid again
- Adam explained what information he needed for this, as well as how it would affect Tomasz's credit score and what could be done to help
- He checked that Tomasz knew he could access his Barclaycard account online or using the app (and that he could only access his Amazon Barclaycard using the app) to make debit card payments, change payment due dates and, when he could afford to, set up a Direct Debit
- He also advised that there is free help and advice available and that he should also check out the government website for information and services available to him. We’ve included links to organisations that offer independent help and advice in the ‘Other ways to get help’ section below
Tomasz was pleasantly surprised when Adam understood his situation and gave him realistic options – and not just for his Barclaycard bill, but people to talk to about his other debts.
Does your story sound like Tomasz's?
A sudden injury or accident can cause a lot of pain and anxiety, made worse by the fact you may have to go weeks or even months without an income. Even if you know it’s only temporary, missing payments on bills and affecting your finances can be frustrating and worrying.
You're not alone - we're here to help
We know your debts aren't going to disappear on their own, but we really can help. If you get in touch, we'll ask you about your income and outgoings so you can feel confident you're only repaying what you can really afford. And your priority payments – Council Tax, rent/mortgage repayments and household bills – will always come first.
It's probably the last thing you want to do, but giving us a call won’t make anything worse. We won't spring any surprises on you; our advisers are here to listen, understand and agree a solution with you – not demand payments you can’t afford.
You can rest assured, we’ll ask your permission before we do anything and check how you feel about your other finances.
We'll try to provide you with help that’s clear, practical and easy to understand. Also, we'll advise you where to find free and independent help.
Get in touch to find out how we can help
Talk to us on the phone
As soon as you think you might be facing financial difficulties, give us a call. It could make things much easier.
Before you pick up the phone, it’s a good idea to jot down some notes about your income and spending. And set some time aside – we’ll want to understand your situation in detail, so you might be talking for a while.
Worried you’ll miss a payment?
Missed a payment and want to catch up?
If you’ve missed a payment on your card, you might be able to pay it using the Barclaycard app.
Alternatively, you can call us:
Calls to 0800 numbers are free from UK landlines. Mobile charges may vary. Find out more about call charges.
You can also:
Use the Barclaycard app
Send us a message from the 'Help' section of the Barclaycard app. It's secure and You don’t have to wait for our reply, just log back in when you’re ready to see if we've replied.
You need to be 18 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
Other ways you can get help
If you're struggling with a few different debts or money worries in general, there are organisations that may be able to help:
StepChange is the UK's largest provider of genuinely free independent debt advice and managed solutions, helping almost 600,000 people a year resolve problems, repay debts and rebuild lives.
The National Debtline offers free independent support for advice on how to deal with your debts, including live online webchat with a National Debtline advisor.
MoneyHelper provides a range of free and impartial money advice over the phone and online, including tools and calculators to help you manage your finances.
Are you receiving all your benefits?
Find out if you're getting all the money you could be entitled to.
Visit entitledto and use their free benefits calculator to understand if financial support is available.
Get local debt help
Contact Citizen's Advice Bureau for a list of debt counsellors in your area.
To protect the privacy of our customers, we have used photographs of actors and fictitious names, but they are based on real situations.
How close are you to a Debt Problem?
If you're worried that you need help with your finances then you can try StepChange Debt Charity's 60-second debt test. By answering a few simple questions they'll be able to tell you if you need debt advice.
