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How to get the most out of your DMP

We will fully support you through your debt management plan (DMP). This section covers some of the most common questions we get asked and gives you an idea of what to expect while on a DMP.

Quickly find what you are looking for


  1. How can I make changes to my DMP?
  2. How do I make a payment?
  3. What should I expect in the first year of a DMP?
  4. Common questions we are asked about DMPs
  5. Read more articles about life on a DMP

Need to make changes to your debt management plan?

Manage your DMP online

Using OnlineDMP, you can update your budget, debt details, and view your six most recent DMP statements.

Log in to OnlineDMP

Speak to an advisor

You can call or email us if you need help with a big budget change, payments, or dealing with money worries.

Contact us

Looking to make a payment?

How do I make a payment to my DMP?

The easiest way to make payments is by Direct Debit. You can also pay by standing order or bank transfer. Be sure to choose the option that works best for you.

Find out how to pay your plan

How does StepChange work out how much each debt gets?

Your DMP payment is shared among all your debts. To work out how much each one gets, there are a few key things we need to look at.

How we work out repayments

What do I do if I can't pay my DMP?

Try not to panic. There are things we can do if you are struggling to manage your payments. Your DMP can always be changed to suit your needs.

What to do if you can't pay

What to expect during your DMP

  • Day 1 - Your plan is active

    It is time to choose how you want to pay your plan. Direct Debit is the easiest way to pay. Standing order and bank transfer payers need to be aware of the payment cut-off dates as they change every month.
  • Week 1 - Talking to your creditors

    We have sent all the people you owe (your creditors) a DMP proposal. This tells them how much of your DMP payment they will get. It can take some time for creditors to update your accounts so they may still contact you at this time.
  • Month 1 - Your first payment

    You have made your first DMP payment, but you may still be getting letters and phone calls. Don't worry, things should settle down as you make more payments. Keep going, it will get easier!
  • Month 3 - Peace and quiet

    The people you owe should be contacting you less now you have made a few payments. It is a good time to log into OnlineDMP to update your details now that things are calming down.
  • Month 4 - Interest and charges

    Some creditors will keep adding interest and charges to your debts. Don't let this put you off paying your DMP. As your debt moves through the collections process it is possible that interest and charges will stop.
  • Month 5 - Default notices

    Some creditors will send you a default notice. These will stay on your credit file for six years but are a normal part of having a DMP. Just carry on as you are.
  • Month 6 - Creditor updates

    Some creditors may contact you to see if your situation has changed. If nothing has, send us an email through OnlineDMP. We will send them a copy of your budget.
  • Month 8 - Debt swapping

    If a debt collection agency has taken over a debt, log into OnlineDMP and give us their details. We will contact them and start sending them payments.
  • Months 10 and 11 - Your budget

    Now things have hopefully settled down, start to track your spending. This will really help you when your review is due. You will have a better idea of what areas you might need to tweak.
  • 1 year in - Your annual review

    You have reached your first full year on your DMP. Congratulations! We will need to review your DMP at least once a year. Just log into OnlineDMP to get your review started.

Common DMP questions our clients ask

Direct Debit is the easiest way to pay your DMP. With OnlineDMP you can set your Direct Debit up in minutes. Make sure you have your account details to hand.

You can also pay your DMP by standing order and bank transfer. Make sure you know when the payment cut-off dates are.

In order to set up your first DMP payment, you must have returned all the documents we need to set up your DMP.

Please don't send any payments until we have been in touch to say your DMP is set up and active.

Paying by Direct Debit

To pay by Direct Debit, the only thing we need is a completed and signed Direct Debit form.

There are a few ways to set up a Direct Debit with us:

Paying by standing order

To set up a standing order, you don't need to send anything to us. You can set up a standing order by:

  • Using your mobile banking app
  • Using online banking
  • Calling your bank to set one up over the phone

When you set up a standing order or make a bank transfer payment to StepChange, make sure you use the following details:

  • Name: StepChange Debt Charity
  • Sort code: 20-48-46
  • Account number: 70238163
  • Reference: Your StepChange reference number and surname (example: 1234567 SMITH)

Make sure you know when the payment cut-off dates are each month.

Our Direct Debit dates are the 1st or the 10th of each month.

The cut-off dates change from month to month. Please make sure your payments reach us before the cut-off date each month.

When we send your DMP proposals to your creditors, we ask them to consider stopping interest and charges.

It is up to them to decide if they will stop interest and charges. Some companies are more understanding than others and will be careful not to make things harder for you.

You will need to gather as many details about your finances as you can. Such as:

  • Your income
  • Your monthly spending
  • Debts and missed or late payments (arrears)
  • Items of value (assets)
  • Any finance agreements you have
  • Your property value
  • Any mortgage or hire purchase balances that you still need to pay off

You can review your plan online. Or you can review your plan with one of our friendly advisors over the phone.

Your DMP can be closed if you don't review it at least once a year. This is set out in the DMP agreement you will have signed when setting up your plan.

Even if there have been no changes to your situation, it is important to review your plan so we can confirm this information and make sure your DMP is still working for you.

Your creditors can keep adding interest and charges to your debts while your DMP is ongoing. Because of this, we need you to update us on your debt amounts at least once a year.

Some creditors will send you regular statements, but you might need to ask others for up-to-date statements.

You can update your debt balances at any time using OnlineDMP. Or you can contact us by phone or email.

To work out how your DMP payment is shared out, we look at:

  • How much money you have left over once all your living costs are paid
  • How much you agreed to pay each debt when you took out the credit (known as contractual payments)
  • The amount of time you agreed to repay the debt in

You will not be able to miss a DMP payment to cover things like Christmas or birthdays.

But you can prepare for these bigger costs through the year by including savings in your budget.

Speak to one of our friendly advisors if you want to add savings to your budget.

To make your DMP a success, we recommend:

  • Sticking to your budget
  • Looking for ways to save money and boost your budget
  • Making us aware of any changes to your situation

It is possible for a creditor to make you bankrupt, but only if you owe them over:

  • £5,000 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • £3,000 in Scotland

They will have to pay for the costs of applying for your bankruptcy.

As you are on a DMP, you are already paying as much as you can. Your creditors know they will find it hard to raise any more money by making you bankrupt.

The creditor must send you a formal demand for the money to start this process. If you get something like this, call us straight away and we will help you through the next steps.

"Excellent Service"

"Brilliant. Really helpful at a stressful time and eases the pressure with excellent advice. Really good online tools and links to various advice on certain situations."

Steven, Feefo Review

"Very helpful "

"StepChange has been a lifesaver, helping me take control of my finances with clear, supportive guidance. I’m so grateful for their free and non-judgmental advice, it made a real difference in my life."

Cheryl, Feefo Review

Want to know more about your DMP?

There are lots of great articles on our website that can help you get the most out of your DMP. They include: