Reviewed 5th December 2019
One of the most common debt-help procedures is a debt arrangement scheme –commonly referred to as a DAS or Debt Payment Plan .It carries a number of benefits for those who simply cannot afford to pay their debts.
If you’re in the position where debts are uncontrollable and creditors are chasing and hassling you for payment whilst interest fees and charges are accruing, it’s time to draw a line in the sand and start rebuilding your finances. Our insolvency experts specialise in helping indebted Scottish residents and, by analysing your circumstances through a quick, free consultation, we can help you towards a debt-free future.
If you’re considering a debt arrangement scheme, the following list of key advantages will make for interesting reading...
DAS is not insolvency
It is a statutory repayment plan which allows you to repay your debts in full over a reasonable period of time paying an affordable amount.
Single Monthly/Weekly Payment
Having a consolidated monthly/weekly payment structure can be a huge relief and much easier to keep on top of in contrast to juggling multiple payments for numerous different creditors. A debt arrangement scheme allows you to make a single, affordable payment every month or week that is distributed to your various creditors.
Interest & Charges Frozen
Once the debt arrangement scheme has been applied for, any interest will be frozen so you needn’t worry about your debts escalating further at high rates of interest.
Protection
Any creditor bound by the Debt Arrangement Scheme will not be able to chase, hassle or take legal action against you once the Debt Payment Plan has been approved. They should, in theory, stop contacting you and will be instructed to do so. Should any creditor continue to pursue you then you will be able to advise your DAS approved Money Advisor who will contact them to stop any further contact with you.
Your Home
You do not have to include any of your assets in your Debt payment plan. Unlike in sequestration or Trust Deeds. It may be that you require a period of time to sell you property or a second property. Once you have done so then you can use a lump sum to pay into your Debt Payment Plan to pay of your debts in full and shorten the length of the plan.
Flexible Payments
You are able to apply for a variation in your debt payment plan by advising your DAS Approved Money Advisor that you have had a change in circumstance. This could be to increase or decrease your payment or shorten or lengthen the duration of your debt payment plan. You can also apply for a six month payment break should you have a change in circumstance. This is subject to certain criteria such as a 50% income shock, maternity, paternity etc.
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Get Your ReportFAQ on Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)
Debts that will not form part of your Debt Payment Programme include: Some secured loans Student loans Court fines
Yes, this is one of the reasons why the Scottish government introduced the scheme. As long as payments set out in the Debt Payment Programme are met, creditors will not be able to make contact or take legal action against you. All correspondence is dealt with by your DAS Approved Advisor.
A DAS Approved Advisor reviews your income, assets and liabilities to make sure it is the right product for you. A Debt Payment Programme is then drawn up which takes into account your household expenses such as rent, food and utilities, and sets out how much you need to pay against your debts each month, and for how long. This ensures that your living expenses are covered, and that debts are consolidated into a single affordable payment.
There is no specified timescale for completion of a Debt Payment Programme, as each case is unique and depends on your financial situation. There is flexibility built into the scheme if your circumstances alter, however.
You have more time to pay off your debts Interest and fees are frozen once a Debt Payment Programme has been agreed Your creditors are not able to take any further legal action Debts are consolidated into a single payment that you know is affordable because your financial situation has already been reviewed by a professional money advisor Escalating debts are halted, providing some relief from stress You can avoid full insolvency as you will still be paying your debts in full
The Debt Arrangement Scheme, like any debt management product, may affect your credit rating. If you enter into a DAS then your details will be recorded on the DAS register. This is a register which can be accessed free of charge. Creditors and credit reference agencies check this register on a regular basis and may update your credit file to reflect this information. While you have a Debt Payment Programme under DAS, you will not normally be able to access additional credit. There are exemptions to this which your money adviser can further explain.
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Sequestration is the Scottish version of bankruptcy and may be suitable for you if you do not have the money to pay back your debts
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A Trust Deed involves making a monthly contribution to your debts for up to four years. After this time any remaining debt will be wiped out.
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Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)
A Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) lets you pay off your debt through a series of manageable instalments over a reasonable length of time.
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