The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) dealt with 1.7 million debt problems during the final quarter of 2009, new figures have shown.
According to the organisation, the figure represents a 20 per cent increase on the corresponding period of 2008.
The CAB also said that since the start of the recession it has received calls from 3.25 million people with 11 million problems.
According to the organisation, the increase can be attributed to the rising cost of living as calls about fuel, water and phone debts have increased by 32 per cent, 27 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.
Citizens Advice chief executive David Harker, said: "We may officially be in recovery, but for many people the damage done by the economic downturn is long-lasting and far from over.
"Even more people are now worried about the further pressures on their household budgets from rising prices and exceptionally high winter fuel bills."
Concerns about the ability to deal with the demands of household bills could lead a number of people to seek new financial arrangements.
Those who own a property could use some of the value of their home to meet the demand through a scheme such as equity release.
