Welcome to debt advice You are about to start debt advice with StepChange We will ask about your finances We work out your budget You get free, impartial debt advice This will not involve a credit check.
There are lots of ways to deal with debt. And there are solutions that work for different situations. These include: Debt management plans (DMPs) Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) Bankruptcy Debt relief orders (DROs) If you live in Scotland, there are also: Trust deeds Debt payment plans through the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) You may not be aware that we help people across the UK. Find out more about our debt advice service in Scotland.
Our advice is based on your situation. We look at: How much you can afford to pay towards your debt How long it would take you to repay your debt Where you live Your job Any other things you are dealing with that may make it harder to repay what you owe If you can afford to make payments each month, we may recommend a repayment plan. Such as a debt management plan. Or we may tell you about ways to write off your debt. Insolvency solutions, like bankruptcy or an IVA, can write off some or all of your debt and give you a fresh start. But they may also affect your job, home or being able to take out credit. We will let you know what we think you should do and what to do next. We are here for you as long as you need us.
At the end of your debt advice, we share your 'personal action plan'. This is clear and practical advice about how you can deal with your debts, based on what you have told us. In your personal action plan, you will see: Your monthly budget Simple steps to follow. Including how to apply for your debt solution Advice on dealing with the people you owe
It depends on what solution you are on. If you are on a debt management plan: Use our advice to check if a DMP is right for you. You can switch to us if you like, as nobody is tied to a DMP. And our DMPs are always fee-free. That means all the money you pay goes towards paying your debt. If you are on an IVA, trust deed or other formal solution: You should speak to your insolvency practitioner first. They will look at your situation. Tell them if you cannot afford your monthly payments. If you think another option would work better for you, they can talk to you about that.