What Is a Debt Management Plan? Get a Free StepChange DMP (2024)

FAQs

What Is a Debt Management Plan? Get a Free StepChange DMP? ›

A debt management plan is a debt solution that lets you make affordable payments to your debts. It may be the right choice if: You are struggling to keep up with your normal debt payments. You have some money leftover each month after bills and living expenses.

A DMP provider sets up your DMP. They work out what you can afford to pay and tell you if a DMP is right for you. They then contact the people you owe to explain what you are going through, and to confirm how much you will pay. You need to send your debt management plan provider a payment each month.

A DMP may be a good option if the following apply to you: you can afford your living costs and have a way to deal with any priority debts, but you're struggling to keep up with your credit cards and loans. you'd like someone to deal with your creditors for you. making one set monthly payment will help you to budget.

Disadvantages of a debt management plan include: your debts must be repaid in full – they will not be written off. creditors don't have to enter into a debt management plan and may still contact you asking for immediate repayment.

A Debt Management Plan is an agreement between you and your creditors to pay all of your debts. Debt management plans are usually used when either: you can only afford to pay creditors a small amount each month. you have debt problems but will be able to make repayments in a few months.

Once you start the DMP, you'll make a single monthly payment to the credit counseling agency, which will then pay your creditors on your behalf. The agency may also charge you a small monthly fee for the service, but your interest savings will likely cover the cost—and then some.

The notation signifying your DMP activity does not have a negative effect on your score going forward – in fact, it may suggest to lenders that you actively work to pay all of your debts to the best of your ability.

Your credit history starts to look better after your DMP. Information like missed payments or court action is removed after six years. If an account has defaulted, the debt is removed six years after the default. Even if it is not fully repaid.

The main debts left out of DMPs tend to be secured and priority debts, like mortgages or car finance agreements, which will need to be paid as usual. If you're struggling to pay any of your priority debts, you'll need to speak to your suppliers.

Yes – creditors are under no obligation to accept your DMP. They might do this if they don't want to accept reduced payments or feel you could afford to pay more. If they refuse to negotiate with your DMP provider, it can be worth negotiating with them yourself.

Is StepChange free? ›

Entering a debt management plan is free to clients if it's provided by StepChange Debt Charity. Other providers may charge a percentage of the money you pay to them.

Most credit card issuers will require that an account entering a debt management plan be closed. It may be in your best interest to reach out to creditors first and request that your accounts be closed. You may be allowed to keep a card for emergencies or business, though; ask before you sign up.

Your DMP may show up on your credit reference file. Some creditors may ask for a note to be put on your file to say that you have a DMP. This would reduce your chances of getting credit if you applied for it while on your DMP, as it would show you've had trouble keeping up with repayments.

A debt management plan (DMP) isn't legally binding, so you can cancel it if you feel it isn't working for you. However, you may not get a refund of your fees and you'll need to make sure you have another way of dealing with your debts.

Debt management plans (DMP) are flexible. This means you may be able to pay off a DMP early. You can do this by increasing monthly payments or paying a lump sum.

How long does a DMP last? There is no set time for a debt management plan to last. It will simply go on for as long as it takes you to pay off your debts. You can reduce the length of time by increasing your repayments but if circ*mstances change then the time it takes to complete can be increased.

Once you start your DMP, you'll only have to make one payment each month to cover all debts included in the plan. Your provider will split this money between your creditors. You'll continue to make these payments until either your debts are cleared or you're able to make the full, original payments again.

What happens when my DMP is finished? The debts associated with your DMP may still stay listed on your credit report until the six-year period is up from when they were added – if they have defaulted or there are CCJs associated with them, for example – but the marker for your DMP will be removed.

The main debts left out of DMPs tend to be secured and priority debts, like mortgages or car finance agreements, which will need to be paid as usual. If you're struggling to pay any of your priority debts, you'll need to speak to your suppliers.

Can you get the creditors to freeze the interest? Your DMP provider will normally try to negotiate with your creditors to freeze any interest and other charges when they set up your DMP. They should tell you which creditors have agreed to this and which have not before you start your DMP.