In Scotland, there’s an alternative to a traditional debt management plan for people who can’t keep up with all their debt repayments. The Debt Arrangement Scheme, also known as DAS, is a formal debt management scheme for Scottish residents that could help to make your debts affordable again.
An advantage of DAS is that it’s legally binding – once it’s agreed, your lenders can’t change their minds as long as you keep up with your payments.
How does DAS work?
Under the Debt Arrangement Scheme, you’ll have a new affordable repayment plan for your unsecured debts known as a Debt Payment Programme (DPP). Your new payments will be based on how much you can afford once you’ve covered your other important costs – bills, rent and so on.
You’ll keep making this single reduced payment for as long as you need to – until your circumstances improve, or until you’ve cleared the debts. In the meantime, all interest and charges on those debts will be frozen, so they can’t get any bigger.
How can I apply?
You can only apply for a DAS Debt Payment Programme through an approved Money Adviser. They will help you work out how much you can afford to pay each month, and once they’ve done that they’ll negotiate with your lenders on your behalf.
In some cases, the Accountant in Bankruptcy (the DAS administrator for the whole of Scotland) can approve your application even if your lenders have rejected it – as long as it’s clear that it’s the best way for you to repay your debts.
Are there any disadvantages?
Like any debt solution, DAS has a few disadvantages. In particular, reduced payments towards your debts will have an impact on your credit rating, with records remaining on your credit history for at least three years.