Send us the information we need
Please send us:
Proof of all your income.
You will need to provide proof of your income. This must be dated within the last three months.
You can send us:
- Wage slips
- Benefit letters
- Bank statements
- Pictures or screenshots from online banking statements. Make sure they show your name
- Proof of pension payments
Details of your debts
These must show your account number, name, address and balance.
You could send:
- Bills where you have missed payments (or 'arrears')
- Recent statements for your accounts. Like a credit card, store card or catalogue.
- Letters from creditors making demands.
Please ensure the creditor's name is visible on everything you send us.
Details of your household bills and monthly spending
We will need the following for each item in your budget:
- Bills. Like your electricity, mobile phone and council tax
- Bank statements
- Invoices and receipts
All of the evidence you provide must be dated within the last three months.
Fill in and return the Bankruptcy questionnaire
We need details from your questionnaire before you can go ahead.
Sign and return the ‘Authority to act’ form
You need to sign, date and return it to us. This allows us to submit your bankruptcy application on your behalf.
Please do not send original letters or paperwork.
We cannot promise their safe return, so only send photocopies, scans or photos.
Pictures taken with your phone or tablet are fine. Just make sure they are clear and show your name.
For bills and statements, we need to see the reference number and debt balance.
Make sure you always put your StepChange client reference number and name in your email or letter.
Apply for a 'Debtor Moratorium'
This means your creditors cannot take court action against you for six months. This does not apply to any action that has already begun.
You can do this on the Register of Insolvencies website:
- Visit https://roi.aib.gov.uk/roi
- Click ‘accept‘
- Click ‘create debtor moratorium’
- Fill out the form and follow the steps
Log in here to access your personal action plan and find out more about your solution.
Pay your fee
Once we get your information, we will check to make sure everything is correct. We will complete your MAP application. After this, we will let you know when and how to pay your fee to the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB), if the fee is needed.
You may not have to pay the fee depending on your financial situation. Your advisor will talk to you about this when your application is ready to submit.
We’ll submit your application
We will send your application to you. You need to sign it before we submit it to the AiB.
Tell your creditors you are getting our help
Please contact your creditors and ask for time to deal with your debts.
Ask them what "forbearance" is available.
This means you are asking your creditors to hold back from forcing you to pay your debt, or taking further legal action.
They will usually:
- Stop their collection process
- Give you time to set up your debt solution
- Leave you alone for 30 days after you tell them you are getting help.
Give them a call or send them an email. There is a template in the 'Your next steps' section of your Personal Action Plan.
If you successfully apply for a 'debtor moratorium', creditors are not able to take court enforcement action (known as diligence,) against you for six months. This does not affect action which has already begun.
Wait to hear from the Accountant in Bankruptcy
We will contact you about your application. You will also be contacted by the AiB. They will confirm if your application has been accepted.