Debts you can include

You'll set up a debt payment programme (DPP) to repay your debts. 

You can include existing debts like:

• bank account overdrafts
• buy now, pay later credit
• credit cards
• missed payments (‘arrears’) of utilities, mortgage, rent or council tax
• payday loans
• personal loans

You must include all your existing debts in your DPP unless they’re:

• rent or mortgage arrears – you can choose whether to include these
• types of debts you cannot include in a DPP

There are rules about applying for more credit during a DAS.

Debt after the DPP is set up

You cannot add more debts once the DPP is set up. This is unless the debt existed before the DPP was set up. For example, if you forgot to include it.  You should discuss this with your money adviser. 

Debts you cannot include

You cannot include:

• student loans
• hire purchase or conditional sale agreements (except arrears)
• court fines

Ongoing payments

You cannot include ongoing payments in your DPP. 

Examples of ongoing payments are: 

• bills such as gas, electricity and phone
• child maintenance payments
• council tax bills
• insurance payments 
• rent or mortgage

You need to keep making these payments separate to your DPP.

Arrears of ongoing payments

You can include missed payments of ongoing payments (‘arrears’). But only if the missed payment happened before your DPP was set up.