A debt relief order is a way of writing off your debts if your finances do not get better after
12 months.
During this time, you will not pay back what you owe. Interest and charges will stop being added to your debts. You
do not have to deal with the people you owe money to.
With over 30 years’ experience offering free debt help, we will work with you to see if a DRO is the right solution for you. We will also consider a wide range of other solutions that could be suitable for your situation.
Is a DRO right for me?
DROs are not everybody. There are rules about who can apply for one, based on how much you owe and how much money you
have coming in. We can help you find out if you can get a DRO through online debt advice.
If a DRO is right for you, an ‘approved intermediary’ will let you know what you need to do. An approved
intermediary is an organisation that deals with DRO applications.
Debt free after 12 months
If your finances don’t get better after 12 months of being on a DRO, your debts will be written off.
No fees to pay
It is free to apply for a DRO and we do not charge any fees for our advice.
You are protected from creditors
While you are on a DRO, creditors must stop all collections activity. They are not allowed to add interest and
charges and cannot take further action against you.
An approved intermediary manages your application
Take the stress out of dealing with your debt. StepChange will help you find out if a DRO is right for you, and your
case will be passed to an approved intermediary to deal with the application process. You will not have to go to
court.
A cheaper alternative to bankruptcy
DROs are for people who are on a low income and have few assets (items of value). If you meet the criteria, it can be
a cheaper alternative to bankruptcy.