Call Us Free: 0800 368 8231
Follow Us:

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

Debt Helpline
0800 368 8231

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

Wondering if you can get a debt relief order, sometimes referred to as DRO?

This section explains exactly what a debt relief order is.

Find out the steps you need to take to apply for a debt relief order.

Then use our FAST, FREE Online Assessment to see if you can be debt free in 2023!

Debt Relief Order

What Is A Debt Relief Order?

A Debt Relief Order is an order you can apply for if you can't afford to pay off your debts. Often referred to as a DRO, it is a debt solution that is a simplified, quicker and cheaper alternative to bankruptcy in the United Kingdom.

It is suitable for people struggling with their debts who have few or no assets (less than £1000 and not homeowners) and little disposable income (less than £50 per month).

If you qualify for this solution and your application is successful then your debt repayments and interest will be frozen for 12 months. If your financial situation doesn't change then the debts will be written off after the 12 months are up.

Not all debts can go into a DRO. Debts that can be included are: overdrafts, loans, credit cards, rent arrears, utility bills, council tax arrears, benefits overpayments and business debts.

Debts that aren’t covered include: student loans, magistrates court fines, confiscation orders (fines relating to criminal activity), child support and maintenance, social fund loans, and debts resulting from certain personal injury claims against you.

Steps to apply for a Debt Relief Order

  • Step 1: Check you qualify.
  • Step 2: Make it is the right option for you.
  • Step 3: Complete your application.
  • Step 4: Pay the £90 application fee.
  • Step 5: Apply to the Insolvency Service.
  • Step 6: Receive your Moratorium.

Step 1: Check you qualify for a debt relief order (DRO)

Free Online Test - Check You Qualify

Check now

Use our Online Check to see if it could be the right option for you.

You can apply for a debt relief order in England and Wales providing:

  • You owe less than £30,000
  • You have less than £75 a month spare income per month (after paying all your living costs)
  • You do not own your own home
  • You have less than £2000 in assets
  • You do not own a vehicle worth more than £2000
  • You have not made an application within the last 6 years

You can apply in Northern Ireland providing:

  • You owe less than £20,000
  • You have less than £50 a month spare income per month (after paying all your living costs)
  • You do not own your own home
  • You have less than £100 in assets
  • You do not own a vehicle worth more than £1000
  • You have not made an application within the last 6 years

Step 2: Make sure a DRO is the right option

As well as meeting the above criteria, in order to apply you must also:

If you haven't already received advice from us and are considering a debt relief order, you can use our online debt test tool, which will provide you with a free and confidential assessment of whether you qualify for a debt relief order. We'll also send you our "Get Out Of Debt" guide by email.

Or, if you’d prefer to speak to us, call our FREE Helpline on 0800 368 8231 (freephone, including all mobiles).

Step 3: Complete your Application

Once your money advisor has worked through your situation, and put together your budget. They will send you the application form for you to sign, this is known as the DRO declaration

You will then need to prove your income by supplying your wages slips or bank statements if you receive benefits. You also need to get a list of your account or reference numbers for each one of your debts.

Step 4: Pay the £90 application fee

Before your application is submitted you will need to pay a £90 fee to the Insolvency Service. This can be paid in installments, but your application will not be put forward until the full amount has been paid. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable, whether the Insolvency Service approves or rejects your application.

In some cases a charity may be able to help you with the cost, you can ask your money advisor.

Step 5: Apply to the Insolvency Service

Your completed application and fee will be sent to the Insolvency Service, they will then check everything and decide wether to grant your DRO order.

Step 6: Receive your Debt Relief Order Moratorium

The Insolvency Service will confirm in writing to you within 10 days, as to whether your DRO has been granted. If your application has been successful your DRO will start from the date of the order. The main effect of a DRO will be to place a ‘moratorium’ period on the debts listed in your DRO. This means that your creditors cannot take any action to recover or enforce their debts against you during this period. The moratorium usually lasts for 12 months from the date of the order, although there may be exceptions, and after that time the listed debts will be discharged.

If you are told that your DRO application has been unsuccessful, please call us on
0800 368 8231

Do I Qualify?

Our panel of specialists can quickly advise whether you qualify for a debt relief order. Simply call the team FREE on 0800 368 8231.
Alternatively take the online debt relief order test and check if you qualify.

  • Last updated 05 October 2023

dealing with debt collectors

How To Deal With Debt Collectors

  • by Brian Jackson
  • March 03, 2016

Have you received a letter or call from a debt collection agency. In this guide we'll expain how to deal with debt collectors...

Read


attachment of earnings

A Guide To An Attachment of Earnings Order

  • by Admin
  • June 23, 2015

Have you received a letter threatening an attachment of earnings. In this guide we explore what an attachment of earnings order is, how they work and how to defend...

Read

Contact the Bankruptcy Advice Online Team:

debt helpline 08003688231

0800 368 8231

(freephone, including all mobiles)
bankruptcy advice

Request A Callback

No time to talk, we'll call you back.
bankruptcy questions

Have A Question?
Ask an expert now.

Latest testimonial

Fantastic,they are life savers.

I Contacted them at 5 pm on a Thursday night,they arranged a meeting Friday morning with all the relevant bodies their because my case was the following Monday .I can't sing their praises high enough they contacted the courts same afternoon. Fantastic response, I avoided bankruptcy on the Monday and was given time to arrange an Iva. I risked losing my home,my mother and fathers home all hope seemed lost until I made that fateful phone call. I can now sleep at night.

Darren
Contact Us
  • Address: Digital World Centre, 1 Lowry Plaza, The Quays, Salford, Manchester, M50 3UB
  • Phone: 0800 368 8231
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Say Hello

You can also get free impartial debt advice by following this link to the Money Advice Service.

Bankruptcy Advice Online is a trading name of ATN Group Limited © 2019 All right reserved.
Registered office: Kemp House, 160 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX. Registered in England and Wales. Co Reg No. 11846763

The ATN Group provides insolvency solutions to individuals throughout the UK; specialising in IVAs, CVAs, Liquidations, Protected Trust Deeds, Bankruptcy, Sequestrations. We do not administer or provide advice solely relating to debt management products, such as Debt Management Plans or Debt Payment Plans under the Debt Arrangement Scheme. We only provide advice after completing or receiving an initial fact find where the individual(s) concerned meets the criteria for one of our insolvency solutions, therefore, all advice is given in reasonable contemplation of an insolvency appointment.