As we celebrate just over 10 years in business, this recognition has truly humbled us and given us a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come.

Like many business journeys, ours has been filled with sleepless nights, self-doubt, long hours, and the inevitable setbacks. There were moments that tested every ounce of belief. But what never changed was our reason for being – our purpose – the drive to make a real difference to the lives of the people we help.

At The Debt Advice Service, we offer impartial, confidential, and compassionate debt advice to individuals and families across the UK. When someone chooses one of our debt solutions, it’s often life-changing — a fresh start, a restored sense of control, and a weight lifted.
Don’t just take our word for it — our Trustpilot reviews speak volumes.

We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without:

Our incredible team – your passion, care, and resilience are the foundation of this business. I am endlessly proud of each and every one of you.
Our valued partners – thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission, and helping us reach more people in need.
And to my family and close friends – thank you for being my constant support through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Your encouragement kept me going when things felt impossible.

We’re excited to attend the awards night on 3rd October, and to celebrate this milestone with so many brilliant local businesses.

And finally — if you or someone you know is struggling with debt, please know that you’re not alone. Feel free to reach out. We’re here to help, without judgment, and always with compassion. Click here to see what help is available

Whatever happens on the night, this is already a win – a moment to pause, be proud, and look ahead to the next chapter.

The post Finalist in the Oldham Business Awards! 🌟 appeared first on The Debt Advice Service.

Write Down What You Know about how much you owe and who to

Start with the debts you already know about. Look for: 

• Credit card bills 

• Loan statements 

• Overdrafts 

• Store cards 

• Buy-now-pay-later plans 

• Unpaid energy or phone bills 

• Council tax arrears 

• Rent or mortgage arrears 

• Any letters from HMRC 

Use your bank statements to check for regular payments or direct debits to lenders.

Check Your Credit Report

Your credit report shows most of your debts, especially those from banks or credit cards.  It will also show any County Court Judgements (CCJ’s) in your name. 

You can get your credit report for free from: 

• Experian – experian.co.uk 

• ClearScore (uses Equifax) – clearscore.com 

• Credit Karma (uses TransUnion) – creditkarma.co.uk 

These reports list your accounts, balances, and any missed payments. They won’t include everything (like council tax or rent), but they’re a good place to start.

Look for Letters or Emails from Debt Collectors

If you’ve missed payments, you might have heard from a debt collection agency. These letters or emails will tell you: 

• Who the original lender was 

• How much you owe 

• A reference number 

Keep these letters safe. They can help you track your debts.

Ask Your Lenders how much you owe

If you think you owe money but can’t find details, contact the lender. Ask for a statement of account. This shows: 

• The amount you borrowed 

• How much you’ve paid 

• What you still owe 

You have the right to ask for this. If a lender can’t provide the information, they might not be able to collect the debt.

Check for County Court Judgments (CCJs)

If a creditor took you to court, you may have a CCJ. You can check this online at: 

• TrustOnline – trustonline.org.uk (small fee applies) 

CCJs also show up on your credit report, but this check can confirm the details. 

 Make a Simple List

Once you’ve gathered everything, write it all down in one place. Include: 

• The name of the creditor 

• The type of debt 

• How much you owe 

• Whether it’s up to date or overdue 

• Any reference numbers 

This list will help you plan your next steps. 

Need Help? 

You don’t have to do this alone. We can help you: 

• Understand your debts 

• Contact your creditors 

• Explore your options 

We’re Here to Help 

At The Debt Advice Service, we offer a no obligation, confidential, and non-judgmental support to help you take control of your finances. Whether you’re facing credit card debt, struggling with loan repayments, or just feeling overwhelmed—we’re here to listen and guide you toward a brighter future. 

Facing your debts is the first step to clearing them. Let’s do it together. 

 Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward peace of mind. 

For free advice go to Moneyhelper.org.uk – we are not associated with Money Helper.  If you enter a solution with TDAS fees may apply. 

The post How Much Debt Do I Owe? appeared first on The Debt Advice Service.

The Hidden Impact of Financial Stress 

Many people silently struggle with the emotional burden of debt or money worries. This stress can manifest in several ways: 

• Anxiety over mounting bills or unexpected expenses 

• Depression from feeling trapped or overwhelmed by your situation 

• Sleep problems caused by constant worry 

• Feelings of shame or guilt, leading to isolation 

• Low self-esteem, especially when comparing yourself to others 

Over time, these emotional responses can seriously impact your daily life, relationships, and even your physical health. 

It’s a Two-Way Street 

Mental health and financial health are deeply interconnected. When your mental health suffers, managing money becomes more difficult—missed payments, avoidance, or overspending can follow. On the other hand, financial strain can worsen your mental health, creating a vicious cycle that feels hard to break. 

But here’s the good news: you can break the cycle, and you don’t have to do it alone. 

How to Protect Your Mental Health During Financial Struggles 

There are small but powerful steps you can take to look after your mental well-being, even when your finances are causing you stress: 

1. Talk about it – Speaking with someone you trust, or a debt advisor, can ease the emotional weight. 

1. Stay informed – Understanding your options gives you more control over your situation. 

Take small steps – Break down your financial tasks into manageable actions, one at a time. 

Be kind to yourself – Money problems are more common than you think. They don’t define your value. 

Reach out for support – Both financial and mental health support are available. 

We’re Here to Help 

At The Debt Advice Service, we offer a no obligation, confidential, and non-judgmental support to help you take control of your finances. Whether you’re facing credit card debt, struggling with loan repayments, or just feeling overwhelmed—we’re here to listen and guide you toward a brighter future. 

If money worries are affecting your mental health, don’t suffer in silence.
Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward peace of mind. 

For free advice go to Moneyhelper.org.uk – we are not associated with Money Helper.  If you enter a solution with TDAS fees may apply. 

The post Money and Mental Health: Why the Connection Matters appeared first on The Debt Advice Service.

What is an IVA and what is the process?

An IVA is a legally binding arrangement between you and your unsecured creditors. You agree to a single consolidated affordable monthly repayment typically of at least £90.00 a month over a period of time —usually five years. After that, any unsecured debts you haven’t been able to repay are written off.

Is an IVA right for you?

Before you start the process of getting an IVA the first thing you have to do is make sure that you are eligible and that it is the right solution for you. In terms of eligibility, you must be in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. If you are in Scotland then you need to apply for a Protected Trust Deed instead. Typically, you’ll need a minimum debt level of £6,000 of unsecured debt with at least two lenders to potentially qualify for an Individual Voluntary Agreement. Your debt might be across a number of credit cards, loans, catalogues, store cards, etc.

You must be able to prove you’re struggling with your current repayments in order to be considered for IVA payments.

You also need to look at your own individual circumstances as it might be that a different debt solution like – a debt relief order, debt management plan, bankruptcy or budgeting advice might be better solutions for you.

We recommend talking to a debt specialist like Lauren who can help to give you information on the options available to you so that you can make an informed choice.  Talking with a debt specialist first about your income and expenditure can also help you in the process of setting up a debt solution.

Getting an IVA the process

If an IVA is the right solution for you, the first step is to find an Insolvency Practitioner (IP). As an IVA is a legally binding solution you will need a qualified professional to support you through the process. The Debt Advice Service refer their clients to their associated companies like the Debt Resolution Service who have many years’ experience helping clients successfully get out of debt.

A statement of affairs

If an IVA is appropriate for your circumstances then a Statement of Affairs is drafted based on the information you’ve already provided. The Statement of Affairs is the consolidated view of your current financial circumstances (assets and liabilities) and forms the basis of your IVA proposal.

The proposal (which is usually drawn up by an Insolvency Practitioner acting as Nominee) will also contain creditor details as well as a breakdown of your income and expenditure and any supporting evidence that you may be required to provide (pay slips, bank statements etc). At this stage, your Nominee may also apply for an Interim Order, which is a legal injunction preventing your creditors from taking further action against you until your IVA proposal has been considered.

Meeting of creditors

It’s when your lenders tell your IP whether they agree to the terms you’ve spelled out in your IVA Proposal. These days, it’s not really a meeting – it’s more of a deadline. Some or all of your lenders may already have told your IP what they think about your IVA Proposal.

At the meeting, your creditors will vote on whether to accept or reject your proposal. 75% of the votes (by value of debt) must be in favour of the proposal for it to be approved. If this happens, all of your unsecured creditors, whether they voted yes, no or didn’t vote at all, are legally obliged to abide by the terms of the IVA agreement.

Approval

Once approved, all the relevant parties are informed and a supervisor is appointed (usually this is the same Insolvency Practitioner that acted as Nominee) to monitor monthly payments and make sure you are abiding by the terms of the IVA.

How long will the IVA process take?

The IVA process usually takes about six weeks from start to finish but this is highly dependent on how quickly you can send the necessary supporting evidence to your debt specialist.

To find out more about an IVA contact one of our debt specialists today on 0800 254 5112

The post The Process of getting an IVA appeared first on The Debt Advice Service.

The amount is usually at least £90 per month and the length is usually over five years.

When the IVA expires, assuming you have stuck to the terms, any unsecured debts that are left unpaid are written off.

But, is an IVA the right choice for you?

First of all, you’ll need to know whether you qualify or not…

To qualify for an IVA, you need to live in England or Wales, Scotland has it’s own debt solution called a Protected Trust Deed. You usually need a minimum debt level of £6,000 of unsecured debt, with at least two lenders. The type of debt that you have may vary across things such as credit cards, loans, catalogues, store cards, etc.

In addition to this, you must be able to prove that you’re struggling with your current repayments if you’re to be considered for an IVA.

Just because you qualify for an IVA however, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right choice for you.

You can find out about the types of debt that an IVA can be used for here, but some things worth considering are that:

• You need approval from unsecured creditors who you owe at least 75% of your debt to.
• An IVA stays on your credit report for 6 years which affects your credit rating.
• An IVA is a legally binding contract with limited flexibility.
• Should your financial situation improve, you might be required to increase your payments to align with your income levels. This includes substantial earnings in overtime or bonuses.
• If you are a homeowner, you may be required to release equity by re-mortgaging your property.

Whilst the above points must be considered, there are certain benefits to getting an IVA which are just as important to bear in mind:

• An IVA consolidates all your debts into one affordable monthly payment.
• All interest and charges are frozen upon the creation of an IVA.
• All contact between you and your creditors will cease and be handled by your Insolvency Practitioner. You’ll also receive full legal protection from further creditor action.
• Should your financial situation worsen, your IVA may be altered to reflect this change of circumstance.
• Upon the completion of the IVA’s fixed term, any remaining debt will be written off.

After weighing up the benefits and considerations, and checking whether or not you qualify, you may decide that an IVA is the best solution for your needs. What is right for one person though, may not be right for the next person, and each case needs to be looked at on it detail and in isolation.

To find out more about an IVA contact one of our debt specialists today on 0800 254 5112

The post Is an IVA the right choice for you? appeared first on The Debt Advice Service.