Who can apply for a DAS?

To apply for a DAS you need to:

live in Scotland
owe money to one or more creditors (any amount of money)
have disposable income (money left over after essential living costs)
be able to repay what you owe in a reasonable time

DAS lets you pay your debts through a debt payment programme (DPP).

Joint DPP

Both you and your partner need to qualify if you want a joint DPP.

Who cannot apply for a DAS

You cannot apply for DAS if you:

have a protected trust deed
are bankrupt
have a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order
only have one debt and a court has given you more time to repay it (through a ‘time to pay direction’, ‘time to pay order’ or ‘time order’)

You may not be able to apply for a DAS if you're repaying money from your wages through a ‘conjoined arrestment order’ from a court. But there are some exceptions. You should speak to your money adviser about this.

Step 1

Get temporary relief from creditors (moratorium)
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If you're thinking about a DAS or any other debt solution you may be able to apply for a moratorium.

It's temporary relief from your creditors which stops them taking further action against you for 6 months. For example:
- arresting your wages
- taking any possession
- starting any new court action
You should check with a money adviser if a moratorium is right for you. You can apply yourself or through a money adviser.

Check how to apply for a moratorium
Step 2

Get free debt advice
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You need to apply for DAS through an approved money adviser.

The Scottish Government help to fund organisations to give free professional debt advice.

Get free debt advice

Not all money advisers are DAS approved. You should check this first when you contact them.
Step 3

Working out what you can afford
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The money adviser will work out how much you can afford to pay after paying your essential costs. They'll use the Common Financial Tool (CFT) to work this out.

All money advisers use the same CFT to work out how much you can afford to pay towards any debt solution.

Find out more about what counts as essential living costs.
Step 4

Your application goes to AiB and your creditors
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The money adviser will send your application to the AiB. This will detail your payments.

This will also go to your creditors asking them to agree to the payment programme. They have 3 weeks to reply.

Find about more about the DAS application process.
Step 5

Getting a decision
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If your creditors agree, or do not reply within 3 weeks, your application is automatically approved.

If some creditors disagree, AiB will decide whether to approve your debt payment programme anyway.

Find out more about setting up your debt payment programme.
Step 6

If your application is approved
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You'll get a letter or email confirming the terms of your debt payment programme, who the payments distributor is and any conditions you must meet.

The payments distributor will contact you to set up your payments. You must make the first payment within 42 days of your payment programme being approved.

You’ll also get log in details you can use to manage your payment programme.

Your debt payment programme is added to the DAS register.
or this step

If your application is rejected
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If your application is rejected, you’ll continue to have protection from your creditors for 2 weeks.

Ask your money adviser about your options, such as:
- appealing the decision (through AiB)
- applying for a new debt payment programme
- looking at other debt solutions

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Information

Joint DPP

Who cannot apply for a DAS