You may be eligible for 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.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must not currently,
- have a Debt Relief Order (DRO)
- have an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or interim order
- be an undischarged bankrupt
- not already be in a Breathing Space period
You must also not have used the Breathing Space scheme in the last 12 months (unless it was granted due to a mental health crisis).
How to apply
To apply for Breathing Space, speak to our Financial Inclusion team. They are qualified debt advisers and will apply on your behalf if appropriate.
If you are receiving mental health treatment and are unable to speak with a debt adviser directly, someone else can apply for you.
No charge
There is no charge to apply for Breathing Space.