At StepChange, we've been providing expert debt advice over the phone since 1993. We saw the potential for online debt advice early on and developed the first fully-online debt advice service over 15 years ago. Since then, it's helped over 1.6 million people clear their debts. But what's next? Well, we know that the pandemic has supercharged digital adoption and that your customers expect responsive, professional, and caring support. So, let us introduce StepChange Your Way. StepChange Your Way is flexible, free debt advice that allows your customers to seamlessly switch between our online and telephone advice channels while only having to provide their information once. So, how does it work? We'll start by asking your customers some quick questions to understand how best we can support them. If debt advice is right for them, we'll capture the details of their debts and help them create a realistic, sustainable budget by understanding how much they may be able to afford to repay towards their debts. At any time during the debt advice journey, customers can easily switch between channels, take a break, and continue once they're ready. And our online service is available 24/7 too, so they can use it at a time that suits them. When the debt advice process is complete, we'll give them an advice recommendation, tailored to their personal needs. We'll guide them through the solution setup process. Whether it's a supported solution, such as a Debt management plan, or an insolvency option, such as a Debt relief order, we're here to meet the needs of your customers. And during peak times, our systems can flex to cope with increased demand. So, start referring today. StepChange, Your Way.
Our online debt advice tool will give you advice based on your circumstances, including where you live in the UK, and recommend a solution. Common debt solutions include: debt management plans (DMP) individual voluntary arrangements (IVA) bankruptcy debt relief orders (DRO) If you live in Scotland you may also be recommended a: trust deed, or debt payment plan via the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)
Our advice is based on the following: If you can repay your debt in full over a reasonable period of time, we'll recommend a debt solution based on repayment over an insolvency solution. An insolvency solution may write off some or all of your debt, but it may also have a more detrimental impact on different areas of your life. This may include your chances of obtaining future credit or any assets such as your home or car. We’ll advise you of your recommended solution, and also inform you of other solutions that are appropriate to your circumstances. This may include debt solutions that we cannot provide for you and where this is the case, we’ll inform you of other sources of information and help.
Our online debt advice tool offers the same expert advice as you would receive using our telephone service. We’ll help you to create a personal budget and take details of your debts. We’ll then use this information to work out your options. You’ll get a personal action plan explaining what to do next.
After you’ve completed online debt advice you'll get a personal action plan, giving you clear and practical advice about how to deal with your debts. We’ll also provide simple steps for you to follow to get things started. This will include instructions on how to deal with your creditors while you’re getting things set up.
If you're currently on an informal debt solution such as a debt management plan (DMP) with another provider then you’re welcome to use our debt advice tool. If you currently have an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) or trust deed we recommend you talk to your insolvency practitioner before getting debt advice. This is because you’ve signed up to a legally binding agreement. They’ll be able to review your situation if you can’t afford the monthly payments or talk you through your options if you think it’s no longer the right solution for you.