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What we need to set up your DAS DPP

To set up your Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS), we need certain details from you. We are here to guide you through it and help you start your plan as soon as possible.

  This guide is for people who are setting up a debt payment programme (DPP) through the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) with StepChange.

Quickly find what you are looking for

  1. Your DPP agreement
  2. Mandate of authority
  3. Proof of income
  4. Proof of spending
  5. Debt details
  6. Setting up payments
  7. Further support

Agreement

You should always read your agreement in full before signing it.

Your signed DPP agreement lets us know that you understand:

  • What is expected of StepChange, and
  • What is expected of you

So that we can get your DPP set up quickly, make sure that you have filled in the boxes on page 3 and page 9.

On this page you need to enter:

  1. Your full name
  2. The full name of the second person on your plan if you are on a joint plan. Leave this blank if the DPP is just for you
  3. Your 7-digit StepChange reference number. You can find this on any email or letter we have sent you

On this page you need to:

  1. Tick the preference boxes for sections 9.1 and 9.2
  2. Enter your 7-digit StepChange reference number. You can find this on any email or letter we have sent you
  3. Enter your full name
  4. Sign your signature
  5. Enter the date you signed the agreement on

For joint plans, the second person will need to repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 at the bottom of page 9. If the DPP is just for you, leave this section blank.

Mandate of authority

A 'mandate of authority' is a type of consent form. It allows StepChange to speak to the people you owe (your creditors) on your behalf while you are on your DPP.

Without it, your creditors will not let StepChange discuss your debts with them.

On the mandate of authority, you will need to:

  • Enter your full name
  • Enter your address
  • Sign your signature
  • Enter the date you signed the form on

Proof of income

When we ask for 'proof of income', what you need to send us will depend on how you get paid.

We ask for proof of income to make sure that it matches the amounts you told us in your debt advice session. We ask for this because:

  • The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) need this information
  • We want to make sure we are not asking you to pay more than you can afford to your DPP

Use the dropdowns below to find out exactly what you need to send us.

In some cases, there are different types of documents you can send as proof of income. You only need to choose one of the options from the lists that apply to you.

Check the statement in bold that sounds most like your situation for details on what to send.

I have been in my job for a while:

You will need to send copies of your recent payslips. How many payslips you need to send depends on how often you are paid:

  • Paid monthly: Send your 3 most recent payslips
  • Paid every two weeks: Send your 7 most recent payslips
  • Paid weekly: Send your 13 most recent payslips

I have only just started my job:

You will need to send us a copy of your employment contract. You can ask your HR department for this if you don't already have a copy.

My income varies:

Sometimes income can change month to month because of things like overtime or not having fixed hours.

We can work out your income amount using averages. We will need you to send us up to 12 of your most recent payslips to help us work out the average.

There are two ways you can send us proof of income from benefits:

  • A copy of a benefits award letter dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A copy of your bank statement showing benefits being paid into your account, dated in the last 3 months

There are two ways you can send us proof of income from student loans or bursaries:

  • A copy of your annual award or entitlement letter, or
  • A copy of your bank statement showing the loan or bursary being paid into your account, dated in the last 3 months

There are three ways you can send us proof of income from a rent, room or board contribution:

  • A copy of your bank statement with the board payment highlighted, and dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A letter from the person who pays you board confirming how much they pay, or
  • A letter, signed and dated by yourself (if the person who pays you board is not aware of your DPP application)

There are three ways you can send us proof of income from child support payments:

  • A copy of an award letter dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A copy of your bank statement showing the child support being paid into your account, dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A letter from the person who pays you child support confirming how much they pay

There are two ways you can send us proof of income from a private pension:

  • A copy of an award letter dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A copy of your bank statement showing the private pension being paid into your account, dated in the last 3 months

Proof of spending

When we ask for 'proof of spending', what you need to send us will depend on your outgoings.

We ask for proof of spending to make sure that it matches the amounts you told us in your debt advice session. We ask for this because:

  • The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) need this information
  • We want to make sure we are not asking you to pay more than you can afford to your DPP

Use the dropdowns below to find out exactly what you need to send us.

In some cases, there are different types of documents you can send as proof of spending. You only need to choose one of the options from the lists that apply to you.

To show proof of your rent, mortgage, secured loan or board payments, you can send us:

  • A copy of your bank statement showing the payment going out, dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A copy of your rent or mortgage statement dated in the last 3 months

To show proof of your council tax payments, you can send us:

  • A copy of your annual council tax bill, or
  • A copy of your bank statement showing the payment going out, dated in the last 3 months

We will only ask for proof of your energy payments if the cost is more than £143 per month.

To show proof of your energy bill payments, you can send us:

  • A copy of your personal projection showing your estimated annual usage, or
  • A copy of your bank statement showing the payment going out, dated in the last 3 months

To show proof of your insurance payments, you can send us:

  • A copy of your bank statement showing the payments going out, dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A copy of your most recent policy documents

To show proof of your child support payments, you can send us:

  • A copy of your bank statement showing the payment going out, dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A letter from the person you pay child support to confirming the payments

To show proof of your childcare payments, you can send us:

  • A copy of your bank statement showing the payment going out, dated in the last 3 months

To show proof of your hire purchase or vehicle lease payments, you can send us:

  • A copy of your hire purchase agreement

We will need to be able to see the 'term' of the hire purchase agreement as well as the amount. The 'term' shows how long the hire purchase agreement lasts for.

To show proof of your loan to a friend or family member, you can send us:

  • A copy of your bank statement showing the payment going out, dated in the last 3 months, or
  • A letter from the person you owe the loan to confirming the monthly payments, current amount left to pay, and when the payments are due to end

You can write this letter yourself if you don't want the other person to know you are getting support with your debt.

To show proof of your appliance rental, you can send us:

  • A copy of your appliance rental agreement

Debts

It is our job to make sure we have accurate information about each of the debts that are included in your DPP. To do this, we will ask you to send either:

  • A letter or statement showing details about the debt, or
  • A screenshot of your online account

Not sure how to take a screenshot?

On many phones, you can take a screenshot by clicking the volume button and the lock/power button at the same time.

If this does not work on your device, you will be able to find out how to do this by searching on Google. Remember to include the make and model of your device in your Google search.

Whichever you choose to send us, you need to make sure that the letter or screenshot shows:

  • The date when you received it
  • The name of your creditor (the people you owe)
  • Your name
  • Your account number
  • Your debt balance (this is the current amount you owe to the debt)

The letter or screenshot you send must be from the legal owner of the debt and not a third-party collections agency. If you are not sure, send us any documents you have, and we will look over them for you.

Payments

When you have sent all the information we need, it is over to your money advisor and the AiB to go through their next steps. It can take up to 42 days before your DPP is checked for approval. You do not need to do anything else at this stage.

Creditors may still contact you during this time. All you need to do is let them know you are getting help from StepChange and we will be in touch with them.

If your DPP is approved, your continuing money advisor (CMA) will be in touch with you to:

  • Guide you through making your first payment
  • Talk to you about your regular payment options

Read our guide to setting up DPP payments.

We will support you through setting up your DPP

Your CMA is here to help you if you get stuck at any point in the set-up process.

You can contact them by email at das@stepchange.org or call them on 0800 652 7491. They are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Debt happens. We deal with it.

We have helped millions of people since 1993.

Find out how.

"Thank you"

"Honestly, the process may take some time but I can imagine if I done all of this myself it would have taken much much longer! My case manager was April who was fantastic but everyone I spoke to there has been kind and helpful. My DPP has been accepted today and I'm finally feeling some relief from my debt. Thank you to everyone :)"

Ellie, Trustpilot Review