If you’re struggling to meet regular repayments, a debt management plan (DMP) can take some of the pressure off. But it can also make it hard to borrow money from lenders – this can affect your lifestyle and limit your options. However, a well-managed DMP can help you get your finances back on track, and improve your credit profile in the long run.
A DMP is an agreement that can be made between you and your creditors (people you owe money to) if you’re unable to make payments on time. It allows you to pay a smaller amount each month than originally agreed. You’ll still have to pay off all your debt, but you can do it more slowly.
Being approved for a DMP depends more on your disposable income than the amount of debt you have (your disposable income is the money you have left over after paying living costs, such as rent, food and energy bills).
To get a DMP, you’ll usually need to:
Only ‘non-priority’ debts can be included in a debt management plan, such as:
Bank loans
Credit cards
Student loans
Water bills
Benefits overpayments
Debts that can’t be included in your DMP are called ‘priority’ debts, because there are more serious consequences for not paying them. These include:
Mortgages
Overdue payments for rent, gas, electricity, council tax or child support
Magistrates' court fines
Overdue income tax or VAT
TV licence fees
To set up a DMP, your creditors must agree to it. It may be in their best interests, as a DMP can help lenders get their money back.
A DMP isn’t legally binding, so it can be cancelled at any time by either you or your creditors. You may use a DMP provider who’ll give you debt advice, deal with creditors, and calculate your payments.
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.
The length of DMPs can vary hugely. How long your DMP lasts will depend on how much debt you have, and how much you can afford to pay off each month. But it’s not unusual for DMPs to last between five to 10 years.
If your DMP involves you making repayments less than the amount originally agreed with lenders, then it will affect your credit score. This means you could find it harder to get credit while making reduced payments. We cover this in more detail below.
A debt management program may benefit your personal and financial life by:
Reducing stress. It can be relieving to have lower, simpler payments, and someone to deal with your creditors for you.
Protecting you. Creditors who agree to your DMP are less likely to take legal action against you to get their money back, since they know you’re trying to sort out your debt.
Getting you back on track. A DMP can help you clear your debts and improve your financial situation in the long term.
There are some down-sides to getting a DMP. You may find they’re outweighed by the benefits, but it’s important to be aware of them:
You may pay more interest. Creditors typically charge daily, monthly or yearly interest on your debts. So, because you’re repaying them over a longer period, you may pay more interest overall. However, lenders will sometimes agree to freeze interest rates and charges during your DMP.
A DMP can reduce your credit rating. However, in the long run, it can be better for your score than getting into more serious difficulty with lenders.
You can get a default. Even if a creditor has agreed to your DMP, they may record a default on your credit report since you’re making reduced payments.
Some DMP providers charge a fee. But there are several free providers you can use, such as StepChange and PayPlan.
Some creditors may still contact you If you’re struggling to pay off priority debts, you’ll have to deal with these lenders directly.
Any non-priority debts that you share with your spouse or partner can be included in your DMP. However, your creditors may still contact them. So, you may want to consider setting up a joint DMP. You can do this even if your partner earns a different amount, or if they have other debts that aren’t shared with you.
Learn more about financial association or you can find out if you share debts with your partner by getting your credit report. Simply check the ‘financial associates’ section for their name.
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. Outline what you can afford to pay each month and why.
Creditors are likely to accept a DMP if they see it as the easiest way to recover their money.
Remember that creditors can’t refuse to take reduced payments. You can continue to make payments, which can help keep lenders onside and give you some breathing space while you negotiate a solution. But if a creditor refuses to change their mind, you may have to deal with that creditor separately.
If you miss a payment, contact your DMP provider straight away. Missing payments could put your DMP at risk, but your DMP provider is there to help. They can inform your creditors and are often able to negotiate a solution with them. If you regularly miss payments, though, then there’s a high chance your DMP will be cancelled.
Your credit score reflects your chances of getting approved for credit. The higher it is, the better your chances. Lenders calculate your score when you apply for credit, using your credit report, application details and any other information they hold on you (e.g. if you’re an existing customer).
Getting a DMP will usually lower your credit score. This is because you’ll be paying less than the originally agreed amount, which will be shown on your credit report. Reduced payments show you’re having difficulty repaying what you owe, so lenders may see you as high-risk. So, if you apply to borrow money while you’re on a DMP, lenders may reject your application or charge you higher interest rates.
Debts will stay on your report for six years, starting from the date they’re paid off or defaulted. A DMP means you’ll repay your debts more slowly, so your score may be negatively impacted for longer.
Note that your DMP will not be recorded as a separate entry on your report. However, creditors should add a DMP ‘flag’ to your account entries. This reassures anyone looking at your report that you’re making reduced payments as part of a plan.
It’s possible to get credit when you have a low score, although your options will usually have low limits and high interest rates. However, the terms of your DMP may mean you can’t borrow more money until you finish the plan. If you’re allowed to apply for credit, you should ensure you can afford the repayments.
If you’ve been hit with a big unexpected bill, talk to your DMP provider. They may be able to adjust your plan or temporarily reduce your payments, so you don’t need to take on any more debt.
You may struggle to get a mortgage while on a DMP. As mentioned above, a DMP will usually lower your credit score. Having a low credit rating doesn’t make it impossible to get a mortgage, but it does make it harder. It also makes getting a mortgage more expensive, as lenders are more likely to charge a higher interest rate.
Another challenge is saving enough money for a deposit while paying off your debts in a DMP. If you do have enough money for a deposit, it may be worth seeking professional advice as to whether you should use that money to reduce your debts or put it towards a property.
If you already own property, you might consider re-mortgaging to help pay off your debt. This can be difficult with a low credit score, but explaining your situation to lenders may help.
When your DMP ends, you can close the accounts you’ve paid off, or start making full payments again. Your score should recover over time if you continue to meet all repayments. Records of your debts will take six years to drop off your report, but lenders may pay less attention to them as they age.
In the meantime, there are several things you can do to improve your Experian Credit Score. It’s also helpful to check your Experian Credit Report regularly for accuracy, and to see what’s impacting your score.
An individual voluntary agreement (IVA) can help you pay off your debts by combining them into one monthly payment, usually over a period of five or six years. You can also have the option of making a one-off payment, known as a lump sum IVA.
But IVAs are different from DMPs as they are a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors.
You can only get an IVA through an Insolvency Practitioner (usually a qualified lawyer or accountant). They’ll examine your situation and make arrangements with your creditors, and then oversee the IVA once it’s set up. But this comes at a cost – an Insolvency Practitioner’s fees can be £5,000 or more. Partly because of these fees, IVAs are only normally used in cases where the debt is at least £10,000.
For more details, see our guide to IVAs. If you’re unsure whether an IVA is right for you, you can get free advice and support from professional debt charities.
If you're worried about money, you're not alone. The charities below offer free, independent help and advice on dealing with debt.
The government-backed website MoneyHelper also has lots of useful information including a handy Debt Advice Locator tool that can help you find confidential debt advice.