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 A woman sits on a sandy beach watching a child playing in the surf

Handling your finances after loss

Losing someone can affect more than how you feel

After Clare lost her husband, her life changed dramatically. She was worried about looking after her finances and staying on top of things.

Find out what steps Clare took to manage the situation. If you’re in similar circumstances, you’re not alone – we’re here to help. 

Clare’s story

David had been ill for a long time, but that didn't make it any easier for Clare to cope when he passed away.

Coming to terms with the loss and being on her own naturally made life tougher. In turn, it became harder to keep track of bills and payments.

To avoid her worries, Clare stopped opening bank statements and letters altogether. She was behind on her Council Tax payments and loan repayments. Feeling troubled, Clare didn’t know what to do or where to go for help.

Clare’s next steps

  • Eventually, Clare called us and explained. We were sympathetic and gentle and helped her work out her next steps
  • After going through Clare’s budget, we created a realistic repayment plan for her loan, so she knew what she had to pay each month
  • Before she agreed to the repayment plan, Clare would’ve been notified that it would be reported to the Credit Reference Agencies, and that it could affect her ability to get credit in the future. However, entering into the repayment plan would be better for Clare than continuing to miss payments 

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

Barclaycard0800 051 8346 Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm

Overdraft and Barclayloan0333 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

Call charges

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

Cruse Bereavement Care

Support, advice and information for when a loved one dies.

MoneyHelper

Free tools and impartial information to help you manage your money.

StepChange Debt Charity

Expert advice and fee-free debt management to help you tackle your debts.

Bereavement

How we can help and support you

Dealing with the financial affairs of someone close to you when you’re grieving is never easy. We hope our guide will help you through this difficult time.

 A woman curled up in an armchair by a window

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.

 

 A woman and a child stack up coins on a table

Spending within your means

Getting the balance

Spending isn’t an issue, but it’s important to make sure you’re not spending too much. Let’s explore some ways of finding a balance.

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.