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How to get the best out of your DMP

This section has lots of answers to questions that may arise while you’re on your debt management plan (DMP). We’ve arranged this section based on whatever stage you may be at in your plan. 

On this page, you'll find...

Answers to the questions our debt management plan clients ask us most often (and perhaps some you may not have thought of asking!)

A timeline that tells you what you can expect over the course of your DMP, from how to deal with creditor contact to when you’ll need to review your budget with us.

Don't forget...

You can log into OnlineDMP at any time. From there you can update your creditor details, review your DMP quickly and easily and view your six most recent statements.

You can call us if you need help regarding a significant budget change, making your DMP payment or dealing with an emergency such as bailiffs.

The MoneyAware team are here to support you while you’re sticking to a budget with money-saving tips and ways to increase your income.

What to expect during your DMP

  • Day 1 - Your plan is active

    We’ve sent all of the creditors in your plan a proposal telling them how much they’ll get paid and giving them a copy of your budget. They may still contact you as it can take them a while to process this information in their systems.

  • Week 2 - Hello from us

    Check your inbox because the MoneyAware team will send you your first MoneyAware email. You'll get sent one every month (or fortnight, if you prefer), and it'll be packed with money-saving tips and the latest debt news.

  • Month 1 - Your first payment

    You’ve made your first DMP payment to us but you may still be getting letters and phone calls. It might take a couple of months of regular monthly payments before things settle down. Bear with it, it’ll get easier.

  • Month 3 - Peace and quiet

    The phone calls are probably starting to die down now your creditors have received a few payments. If you’ve received a letter from them recently why not log into OnlineDMP and update your balances.

  • Month 4 - Interest and charges

    Some creditors may still be adding interest and charges to your debts. We know it's disheartening, but keep paying your DMP. As your debt moves through the creditor’s collections process it is likely that interest and charges will stop.

  • Month 5 - Default notices

    You may have received default notices from your creditors. These will stay on your credit file for six years but are a normal part of the collections process. Just carry on making your monthly payment.

  • Month 6 - Creditor updates

    Some creditors may contact you to see if your circumstances have changed. If nothing has, sent us an email through OnlineDMP and we'll send them a copy of your budget to let them know.

  • Month 8 - Debt swapping

    If you get letters from debt collection agencies saying they’ve taken over a debt, all you need to do is log into OnlineDMP and give us their details. We'll 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 help you when your review is due as you'll have a better idea of what areas of your budget you might need to tweak.

  • 1 year in - Your annual review

    You’ve reached your first full year on your DMP. Congratulations! We’ll 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 and most convenient way to pay your DMP. Just log in to our OnlineDMP area and you can set your Direct Debit up in minutes (as long as you've got your account details to hand).

You can also pay your DMP by standing order and bank transfer, but we’d always recommend Direct Debit.

There are various documents you will need to provide us so we can set up your first DMP payment. They include your Direct Debit form, your most recent payslip, a list of your debts, and your signed DMP agreement.

Our Direct Debit dates are the 1st or the 10th of each month. The deadline for standing order and bank transfer is the 16th of each month. In December 2018, the deadline will be the 14th December. 

No DMP provider can guarantee that a DMP will stop your creditors adding interest and charges to a debt. In practice however, most companies will recognise that when you’re in financial difficulties, adding further interest or charges will only make things worse.

First, gather together as many up-to-date details about your finances as you can. This  includes your income, outgoings, debts, and any arrears you have due to missed or late payments. Completing this budget form (excel document) can help.

You should also gather details of assets or other commitments you might have such as finance agreements, property value, and mortgage or hire purchase balances that you still need to pay off. You can review your plan over the phone or online.

As set out in your DMP agreement if you don’t review your plan at least once a year we’ll have no option but to close it.  This is the case whether you've had a change in circumstances or not. You can complete your plan review yourself online at a time that suits you.

We have to rely on you to update your balances at least once every 12 months. You can ask your creditors for up-to-date balances. You can then update your balances in our system online or by calling us.

Your DMP payment is worked out by what you have left over as surplus income once all of your living costs are covered. We also take the contractual payments on your debts into account when considering how much you pay towards your DMP each month.

If you’re unable to make the payment towards your DMP this month, we recommend you phone us so we can discuss your options. It’s really important you let us know as soon as possible if you’re having any difficulties keeping up to date with payments.

 

Janet, West Glamorgan

"They deal with everything so quickly. I feel like myself again."

Beth, Devon

“The service has been amazing, I feel a massive weight off my mind.”

Want to know more about your DMP? 

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

Helping you become debt free...

“I wish to thank your staff for all the great help they gave me when I was in so much debt.
They were a pillar of support to me.” (Leslie, Essex)

Foundation for Credit Counselling Wade House, Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8NG trading as StepChange Debt Charity and StepChange Debt Charity Scotland. A registered charity no.1016630 and SC046263. It is a limited company registered in England and Wales (company no:2757055). Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

*This is the average rating of our service based on the StepChange reviews on Feefo by DMP and DRO clients three months into their solution.

© StepChange Debt Charity 2018