Debt help in Northern Ireland
The debt solutions that actually apply in Northern Ireland, the free advice available locally, and how the law differs from the rest of the UK.
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation. We would rather you got good advice somewhere than bad advice from anyone.
Debt solutions available in Northern Ireland
- IVA
- Debt Relief Order
- Bankruptcy
- Debt Management Plan
Because the thresholds differ, figures quoted on UK-wide debt websites are frequently wrong for Northern Ireland. Check the current criteria with the Insolvency Service of Northern Ireland or a local adviser before relying on any published limit. Breathing Space, as it operates in England and Wales, does not apply.
Free debt advice in Northern Ireland
You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation. We would rather you got good advice somewhere than bad advice from anyone.
How this differs from the rest of the UK
Northern Ireland has its own insolvency legislation under the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, administered by the Insolvency Service of Northern Ireland. IVAs, Debt Relief Orders and bankruptcy all exist, but thresholds, fees and procedures differ from England and Wales, and the DRO limits in particular are not the same.
| IVA | DMP | DRO | Bankruptcy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal insolvency | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Where it applies | England, Wales and Northern Ireland | The whole of the UK | England and Wales (Northern Ireland has its own version with different thresholds) | England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland calls it sequestration) |
| Typical duration | 60 months, or 72 with home equity | Until the debt is repaid — no fixed end | 12 months | Discharged in 12 months; payments up to 3 years |
| Monthly payments | Monthly, affordability-based | Monthly, flexible, changeable | No payments at all | Only if you have surplus income |
| Your home | Excluded; equity sets the term | Not affected | Not available to homeowners | May be sold |
| Credit file impact | 6 years from the start date | Defaults recorded, 6 years each | 6 years from the order date | 6 years from the order |
| Public register | Listed on the public Individual Insolvency Register, which anyone can search. Your address can be withheld only on evidenced safety grounds. | Nothing public. A DMP is a private arrangement. | Listed on the public Individual Insolvency Register. | Listed on the public Individual Insolvency Register, and in some cases advertised more widely. |
| Fees | Paid from your monthly payments | Free providers available | Free — no application fee | £680 application fee |
| Creditor protection | Legally binding on included creditors | None — entirely voluntary | Full protection, then write-off | Full protection, then discharge |
Not sure which of these applies to you?
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