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Sample letters to creditors

Use our sample letters to get in touch with the people you owe (known as your creditors) and let them know you are also getting help from StepChange.

These sample letters are for people who are getting debt advice from StepChange or are on a debt solution with StepChange. We also have a library of court forms. Use these for County Court judgments (CCJs) and insolvency.

How to edit our sample letters

Each letter has space for you to edit. Just add or delete text where needed.

It can be helpful to send a monthly budget with your letter. This shows you are paying what you can afford. Make sure your creditors know about changes to your finances.

Read our guide to making a budget.

I don't have Microsoft Word - can I edit the letters on my phone?

You can! No matter what device you are using, you can still edit and use our sample letters.

To edit Word files on Android mobiles and tablets

  • Open the document in Google Drive or Google Docs
  • Tap the small pencil icon on the bottom right

To edit Word files on Apple mobiles and tablets:

  • Copy the document to the Pages app
  • Click anywhere to make a change

Not had debt advice before? Find out more about debt advice with StepChange or try some of our other sample letters.

Telling your creditors you are dealing with debts

I got advice and am setting up a repayment plan

Let your creditors know you are setting up a plan with StepChange.

This could be a:

  • Debt management plan (DMP)
  • Token payment plan (TPP)
  • Debt payment plan (DPP) through the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)

Download the letter to [tell your creditors you have had debt advice]

I would like to make a temporary payments arrangement

A temporary payment arrangement is when you offer to pay what you can afford for a short time. Don’t forget to add details of how much you can pay and for how long.

Download the letter to [offer a temporary payment arrangement]

Request a payment suspension

Use this letter to tell the people you owe that you are experiencing financial difficulty and ask them to stop interest and charges.

Download the letter to [ask creditors for a payment suspension]

I cannot afford to pay my arrears. But I can make my monthly payments

Use this letter to tell your creditors that you cannot afford to pay your arrears, but you will still make your regular monthly payments.

Download the letter to [tell creditors you cannot pay your arrears]

I can pay some money toward my arrears on top of my monthly payment

Use this letter to tell the people you owe that you can make your full monthly payment, and you can pay a bit extra toward your arrears. This letter also lets your creditors know you cannot pay the arrears in full at this time.

Download the letter to [make an offer of payment to your creditors]

I cannot afford to pay my arrears or my full monthly payment

Use this letter to tell the people you owe that you cannot afford to make your monthly payment or pay toward your arrears.

With this letter, you can make an offer for a lower payment, and tell your creditors you are getting help from StepChange.

Download the letter to [make an offer of payment to your creditors]

Letters to us

How do I give someone else permission to talk to StepChange about my debts?

Use this letter to give us permission to speak to someone else for you. This could be a friend or relative.

Download and print a [letter of authority]