We aim to make our website as accessible as possible. However if you use a screen reader and require debt advice you may find it easier to phone us instead. Our phone number is 0 8 0 0 1 3 8 1 1 1 1. Freephone (including all mobiles).

Ways to pay your plan

This information is for DMP and TPP clients. If you are on a Debt Arrangement Scheme, visit our DAS payments page.

The easiest way to make payments to your plan is by Direct Debit. This gives you one less thing to worry about as we collect your payment each month without you having to do anything.

You will have to remember to make the payment each month if you pay by bank transfer or standing order. There is a cut-off date that we need payments by that changes each month.

If you miss the cut-off date, you miss the chance to pay that month.
Keep track of the payment cut-off dates

Here are our bank details

  • Account name: StepChange Debt Charity
  • Sort code: 20-48-46
  • Account number: 70238163

  To add your payment to your plan we will need your client reference number and surname when you pay by standing order or bank transfer. Please format it like this: 1234567 Smith

What if I cannot pay this month?

If you are on a debt management plan (DMP), you can login to OnlineDMP to manage your payments.

Or call us and we will sort this out for you.

Find out more about what to do if you cannot make a DMP payment or TPP payment.

How to set up a Direct Debit

You need to complete a Direct Debit mandate form. You can do this when your plan is set up. This tells your bank you have agreed to make payments each month to us.

You will need to have these bank account details:

  • Names of the account holders
  • Account number
  • Sort code
  • Branch address

There are two ways to do this.

1Do it all online: If you are on a DMP, you can log in to your account and follow the online guide.



2Send us a Direct Debit form by post: Download the Direct Debit Form and send it to the address on the form.


What if I cannot set up a Direct Debit in time for my first payment?

You can make a bank transfer while you wait for your Direct Debit to be set up.

Is someone else helping you pay your plan?

We know this can be easier for some people. But as a regulated charity, we need to double-check the source of the payments. Download our form for making payments through a third-party.

How to pay through standing orders or bank transfers

  To add your payment to your plan we will need your client reference number and surname when you pay by standing order or bank transfer. Please format it like this: 1234567 Smith

Our bank details:

  • Account name: StepChange Debt Charity
  • Sort code: 20-48-46
  • Account number: 70238163

Remember, we will need each payment before the cut-off date each month. So, please allow enough time for the payment to go through.

When do my creditors get the payments from you?

Creditors will usually get these payments the same day we send them. It can take a bit longer if a creditor has asked to be paid by cheque, so we allow up to five working days.

Common questions about payments

Your creditors get your DMP payments within five days of you sending them to us, but it can take a few days to add the payment to your account.

If a creditor says they have not received payment, check the following:

  • Did you make your DMP payment on time?
  • Has the debt been passed to another company?
  • Do we have the correct account or reference number for the debt?

If you think a payment is missing, please contact us for further advice.

We send your payment to your creditors within 5 working days of receiving it from you.

We pay most creditors by electronic transfer so the payment will normally be applied to your account with them the same day.

Some creditors ask us to pay them by cheque. Because they have to processes these manually the payment won’t be applied to your account until a few days after we've sent it.

If you can't make your DMP payment, please call us to discuss this as soon as possible. If it is a one-off we will let your creditors know. If you're struggling to make your DMP payments every month we'll need to review your budget.

You shouldn't borrow money to make your DMP payments, even from family or friends.

We can only accept your DMP payments monthly.

If you're paid weekly or fortnightly you'll need to set aside some money from each wage towards your DMP payment. It may help to set up a separate account for this.

If you're paid four-weekly, your payment date will move slightly earlier each month. Take care to ensure there's enough in your account when your DMP payment is due.

If you've missed the deadline for your DMP payment, it's possible to pay your creditors directly. If you have to do this, please contact us to let us know. Make sure that your payments arrive with your creditors by the 28th of the month.

This should only be done as a last resort after you've spoken to us. You need to make sure you go back to making your normal payments the following month.

If you're able to offer a lump sum of money, a creditor may agree to take less than the full balance and write off the remainder of the debt. They would be agreeing to accept this lump sum as a 'full and final settlement'.

If you've got a lump sum please contact us for advice on how to use this to clear your debts.

If you made a reduced DMP payment last month, you can make up the difference if you can afford it. If you want to make a larger payment by direct debit, please contact us to change the next payment amount. If you pay by other means, you'll need to arrange the higher payment yourself. Please let us know if you do this.

Most creditors are paid using a monthly electronic transfer. Some creditors are paid by monthly cheque. These are the only methods we use to send money to your creditors.

Dont give your creditors your bank account or debit card numbers. They are receiving a monthly payment through us so there's no reason for them to have this information.

When you pay us by Direct Debit, we can only accept payments on the 1st or 10th of the month. If you have a creditor who needs your payment by a different date, you have a couple of options:

1. You can cancel your Direct Debit and pay by standing order instead.

Paying by standing order means you can pay us on a date of your choice. You can set this up through your bank easily on your banking app or online banking.

You can cancel your Direct Debit by contacting your bank, or speaking to one of our advisors.

2. You can contact your creditor and ask to change your payment date with them.

Your creditors might let you change your payment date if you explain that StepChange are making payments to them on your behalf.

It is best to make sure that your creditors will not charge a fee to change your payment date with them. If this is the case, it may be a better option to change your payment date with us as we will do this for free.