Debt counselling

With a StepChange Debt Charity DMP we can help you repay your debts by making one affordable payment each month. A DMP is flexible, so the amount you pay can change depending on your circumstances. This solution is available across the UK.

Key DMP facts:

• Our DMPs are completely free. Every penny you send us goes towards paying off your debts
• In our experience, in most cases your creditors will stop interest and charges
• We've helped people repay millions of pounds of debt on DMPs since 1993

Find out more about getting a DMP as well as the potential risks involved.

An IVA is a legally-binding agreement which can help you pay back a reduced amount to settle your debts, usually over five or six years. At the end of this time your remaining debt is written off. This solution is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Key IVA facts:

• You make one affordable payment to us each month and we send this to your creditors
• Our IVA fees are included in your monthly payment
• Your creditors can no longer contact you

Find out more about our IVAs and how the various risks may affect you.

A DRO might be right for you if you owe less than £20,000, have a low income and very few assets. If we advise that a DRO is the best solution for you, we can help you apply. This solution is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Key DRO facts:

• You don't pay anything towards your debts for 12 months, after which your debts will be written off
• You pay a one-off fee to the Insolvency Service
• We can help and support you through the application process

Find out more about a DRO and the risks you must take into account.

Bankruptcy is a way of managing serious debt, particularly if you are unable to pay back the money you owe in a reasonable amount of time. This solution is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find out about bankruptcy in Scotland.

Key bankruptcy facts:

• Bankruptcy gives you a fresh start. All of your unsecured debts are written off
• You pay a one-off bankruptcy fee to the county court
• Bankruptcy will normally last for 12 months and will appear on your credit file for 6 years

Find out more about bankruptcy and the risks you'll need to consider first.

If you are a homeowner aged 55 or over, you could consider using equity release to unlock money from your home while you still live there. Equity release could allow you to release a tax-free cash lump sum for any purpose e.g. debt consolidation, home improvements or to supplement your income. This solution is available across the UK.

How StepChange Financial Solutions can help:

• Free, impartial advice via salaried advisers. No sales targets, bonuses or commission
• Qualified equity release advisors with in-depth knowledge and experience
• Telephone-based advice so no intrusive home visits

Find out more about equity release and the pros and cons of this particular solution.

Whether you're buying your first home, re-mortgaging for a better deal, or using your equity to manage debt or to support your retirement plans, StepChange Financial Solutions offers access to free mortgage and equity release advice you can trust. This solution is available across the UK.

How StepChange Financial Solutions can help:

• Free, impartial advice via salaried advisers. No sales targets, bonuses or commission
• Qualified equity release advisors with in-depth knowledge and experience
• Telephone-based advice so no intrusive home visits

Find out more about mortgage advice.

Under the DAS you can set up a debt payment programme (DPP) to help you repay your debts over a realistic amount of time.

Key DPP facts:

• Your interest and charges are frozen and your creditors can’t take any further action while your DPP is in place
• You make one affordable payment each week or month
• We’ll set up and manage your DPP completely free of charge

Find out more about a DPP under the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) and the various risks involved.

MAP bankruptcy is a way of writing off debts you can’t afford to pay.

Key MAP facts:

• To qualify you must owe between £1,500 and £17,000
• To apply for MAP you need to pay a fee of £90
• MAP will be logged on your credit file for 6 years

Find out more about minimal assets process (MAP) bankruptcy as well as the various pros and cons to be aware of.

Sequestration allows you to write off debt that would otherwise take many years to clear.

Key sequestration facts:

• You must owe more than £1,500 to qualify for sequestration
• You must be living in Scotland or have lived in Scotland within the past year
• The fee for sequestration costs £200

Find out more about sequestration and any potential risks to keep in mind.

A protected trust deed is a legally binding arrangement where you make reduced payments over the course of 4 years.

Key trust deed facts:

• A trust deed will stop court action if diligence hasn't already started
• You may have to sell any valuable assets (apart from one car worth less than £3,000)
• A trust deed will be logged on your credit file for six years

Find out more about trust deeds and the risks to take into account.