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Credit card debt

Can I write off credit card debt? What to do if you cannot pay

There are some situations that allow you to write off credit card debt. This means you don't need to pay it back. Writing off debt is not the right choice for everyone, and debt write off can affect other parts of your life.

It is not advised to try to write off debt if you can afford to repay it over a reasonable amount of time.

On this page


  1. Writing off debt with a debt solution
  2. Ways to write off debt in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  3. Ways to write off debt in Scotland
  4. Other ways to write off credit card debt
  5. Get help to write off credit card debt

Writing off debt with a debt solution

A debt solution is a way of clearing debt. This includes:


  • Insolvency. This is when you declare that you cannot afford to repay the debt you have and you legally write off some or all your debt
  • Repayment plans. This is when you set up a plan to pay back your debt over time at a rate you can afford

On this page we will go into more detail about insolvency solutions. For more information on repayment plans, read our guide to paying off credit card debt.

Where can I get a debt solution?

To find out if you can get a debt solution, you will first need to get debt advice from a free debt advice provider.

StepChange is a free debt advice provider. You can get debt advice online at any time of day and work through it at your own pace.

Online debt advice gives you the flexibility to get started whenever you like and take breaks as and when you need to. You can save your progress and return when you are ready.

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Debt solutions to write off debt in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

You must get debt advice to find the best way to deal with your debt. We have simplified the criteria to give you an idea of who could benefit from an insolvency solution.

What is an IVA?

An IVA is when you make affordable payment every month towards your debt for a set amount of time. This usually lasts five or six years. After this time, any debt left over will be written off.

Read more about IVAs.

Who can get an IVA?


  • People living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

What is a debt relief order?

A DRO helps people who have a low income and few items of value write off their debt.

When your DRO is approved, payments to your debts are put on hold for 12 months. The debt is written off after the 12 months have passed if your situation has not improved.

Read more about debt relief orders.

Who can get a DRO?


  • People living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or who have done business in one of these countries in the last three years
  • People who have less than £50,000 in debt
  • People who don't own their home
  • People who have less than £2,000 in items of value. And a vehicle worth £4,000 or less in addition to this
  • People who have less than £75 a month left after paying bills and living costs

What is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a way to write off most debts. It is an option for people who cannot pay their debts in good time.

Going bankrupt can affect your life in many ways. You may have to sell items of value, such as your home or car, to pay off part of your debt.

Read more about bankruptcy.

Who can go bankrupt?


  • People living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

Debt solutions to write off debt in Scotland

What is a trust deed?

A trust deed is a formal arrangement between you and the people you owe.

You make lower payments to your debts, based on what you can afford for around four years. After this time has passed, any debt left over is written off.

Read more about trust deeds.

Who can get a trust deed?


  • People living in Scotland
  • People who have at least £5,000 of 'unsecured' debt. Such as credit cards, overdrafts and loans
  • People who can make regular payments over a set amount of time

What is MAP bankruptcy?

MAP bankruptcy is for people on low income who have few or no items of value.

After six months, your bankruptcy term ends and your debts are written off. It can take another six months to finalise the bankruptcy.

Read more about MAP bankruptcy.

Who can get MAP bankruptcy?


  • People living in Scotland, or who have lived in Scotland in the last 12 months
  • People who have less than £25,000 in debt
  • People whose car is worth £3,000 or less
  • People who have less than £2,000 in items of value. With no single item worth more than £1,000
  • People who do not own their home
  • People who have not gone through sequestration (full administration bankruptcy) in the last five years
  • People who get income-related benefits. Such as jobseekers allowance (JSA)
  • People who have an income too low to pay anything after bills and living costs

What is sequestration?

Sequestration is a type of bankruptcy in Scotland. It is also known as:


  • Full administration bankruptcy
  • Scottish bankruptcy

Sequestration lasts for 12 months. After this time has passed, any debts included in the bankruptcy are written off.

Read more about sequestration.

Who can get sequestration?


  • People living in Scotland, or who have lived in Scotland in the last year
  • People who owe more than £3,000 in debt
  • People who have not been made bankrupt in the last five years

Unsure if you need help with credit card debt?

We can help you work it out. All you need to do is take five minutes to answer ten questions.

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Other ways to write off credit card debt

After a certain amount of time has passed, the people you owe are no longer able to take court action to recover a debt. The rules depend on where you live in the UK.

Statute-barred debt


  • In most of the UK, except Scotland
  • A debt becomes statute-barred after six years
  • When a debt becomes statute-barred, it still exists but can no longer be enforced through court

Prescribed debt


  • In Scotland only
  • A debt becomes prescribed after five years
  • When a debt becomes prescribed, it no longer exists by law, and the people you owe cannot try to collect it

Read more about statute-barred and prescribed debt.

A partial settlement is when the people you owe agree to take a lump sum payment and write off the remaining amount of your debt. The lump sum amount is less than the full amount you owe.

Partial settlements can be confusing. You might be unsure of:


  • How much the people you owe will accept
  • How to offer a fair amount to each of your debts
  • What to do if someone you owe refuses your offer

Our expert advisors can work all of this out for you. Find out more about our settlements service.

Get help to write off credit card debt

StepChange is a free debt advice provider. We can help you if you are finding it hard to manage credit card debt and will not judge you or your situation.

Get started with online debt advice at any time that suits you. Online advice gives you the freedom to save your progress, pause when you need to and complete the session at your own pace. Our friendly advisors are on hand to support you if you get stuck in the process.

Start online debt advice