Check if you can get more time to deal with your debts (Breathing Space)

If you're not ready to use a debt solution or you can't afford to right now, the government-backed Breathing Space scheme could give you extra time.

If you’re eligible, you could get 60 days of breathing space where your creditors can’t:

• contact you

• take action to make you pay

• add interest and charges to your debt

It covers most debts, including credit and store cards, loans, overdrafts and arrears on household bills. You'll need to get advice from a debt adviser first - they’ll check all your debts to see if they’re covered.

To check if breathing space is right for you, talk to an adviser.

If you’re getting mental health crisis treatment

You might be able to get breathing space from your creditors for the whole time you're getting crisis treatment, plus 30 days after. Crisis treatment includes things like getting emergency or acute mental health care in hospital or the community.

Speak to your mental healthcare provider about ‘mental health crisis breathing space’.