Kath is struggling to cope after separating from her partner

PERSONAL/CUSTOMER

To protect the privacy of our customers, we have used photographs of actors and fictitious names, but they are based on real situations.

Kath’s story

It’s been a difficult time for her family, and things won’t be fully settled until Kath’s divorce has gone through and they can begin to adjust to a different way of life.

Before her separation, Kath had enjoyed managing the finances with her partner, who was the main earner for the family and covered most of the bills. Now she 's struggling to cover her share of the bills. She's worried because:

  • she hadn’t realised she'd reached the limit on her Barclaycard
  • another loan is in her name only and the repayments are high
  • the last council tax bill hasn’t been paid

Not knowing what to do with the finances is one thing, but Kath was finding it really difficult, not to mention emotionally taxing, making ends meet.

How Barclaycard helped

Kath was very anxious about ringing Barclaycard, but really needed some advice on what to do. When she called, she was put through to one of our support team, Peter, who reassured her straight away.

  • Peter gave Kath time to explain things in her own words and wasn’t judgemental or demanding, as Kath had feared
  • Together they created a repayment plan that Kath could afford now, and put a longer term plan in place for when the final settlement had gone through. Peter explained what information he needed and why, as well as how it would affect Kath's credit score and what could be done to help
  • As Kath had an Amazon Barclaycard, Peter explained that she could also manage some parts of her account in Barclays Online Banking
  • This meant Kath could use the app or Online Banking to make debit card payments, change her payment due date and, when she could afford to, set up a Direct Debit
  • Peter also showed Kath how to find free help and advice and advised her to check out the government website for information and services available to her. We’ve included links to organisations that offer independent help and advice in the ‘Other ways to get help’ section on this page

Kath was nervous about calling as she’d never handled the finances alone before, but Peter listened and gave her everything she needed to confidently move forward and keep things covered until the settlement.

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.

Does your story sound like Kath's?

A separation or divorce can have a huge impact on your family and your lifestyle, causing emotional upheaval for everyone. Worrying about your finances just makes the situation worse.

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

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.

Talk to us on the phone

Calls to 0800 numbers are free from UK landlines. Mobile charges may vary. Find out more about call charges.

Worried you’ll miss a payment?

Call us on 0800 056 1411. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm.

Missed a payment and want to catch up?

If you’ve missed a payment on your Barclaycard, you might be able to pay it using the Barclaycard app.

Alternatively, call us on 0800 161 5205. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 9pm

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.

Call us on 0800 151 0157 if you're worried about missing payments. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 6pm.

Missed a payment and want to catch up?

If you’ve missed a payment on your Barclaycard, you might be able to pay it using the Barclaycard app.

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:

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.

StepChange Debt Charity

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.

Feel like there's no-one to turn to?

You can talk to The Samaritans anytime you like, in your own way, and off the record.

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 the Barclaycard app

Check your balance and recent transactions, pay your bill and much more - our app is safe, secure and free to download.

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