Options for dealing with your debts
Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)
If you live in England or Wales, you can get temporary protection from your creditors while you get debt advice and make a plan. This scheme is called ‘Breathing Space’.
You can get temporary protection for up to 60 days.
You’ll still need to make your debt repayments.
If you get it:
- enforcement action cannot be taken against you
- your creditors cannot contact you about debts included in your Breathing Space
- your creditors cannot add interest or charges to your debt
If you’re getting mental health crisis treatment, your protection from creditors will be longer. It will last for the length of your treatment, plus another 30 days.
How to apply for the Breathing Space scheme
To apply for the ‘Breathing Space’ scheme, you need to talk to a debt adviser. They will submit an application on your behalf if it’s the right thing to do.
You can find a free debt adviser on the MoneyHelper website. You can get confidential advice online, over the phone or in person.
If you’re receiving mental health treatment and cannot speak to a debt adviser, someone else can do so on your behalf.
Costs
It’s free to apply for ‘Breathing Space’, but some debt advisers may charge you a fee.
Eligibility
You must:
- not have a debt relief order (DRO), an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), an interim order, or be an undischarged bankrupt at the time you apply
- not already be using the ‘Breathing Space’ scheme
- not have used the ‘Breathing Space’ scheme in the last 12 months, unless it was for a mental health crisis