Breathing Space Scheme: How 60 Days of Protection Could Help You
If you are struggling with debt and feeling overwhelmed by letters, phone calls and the threat of enforcement action, the Breathing Space scheme could offer you a temporary reprieve. Introduced by the government in May 2021, this scheme gives eligible people 60 days of legal protection from creditor action, providing time to get proper debt advice and find a way forward.
What is the Breathing Space scheme?
The Breathing Space scheme (officially called the Debt Respite Scheme) is a government initiative designed to give people in problem debt some room to breathe. During the 60-day breathing space period, most creditors must pause interest and charges on your debts, stop contacting you about repayment, and halt any enforcement action already underway.
There are actually two types of breathing space available:
- Standard Breathing Space, which lasts 60 days and is available to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria
- Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space, which lasts as long as your crisis treatment plus 30 days
- Both types must be set up through a qualified debt adviser
- The protections apply to most types of personal debt, including credit cards, loans, council tax arrears and utility bills
As of March 2026, the scheme continues to help thousands of people across England and Wales each year. If you have not yet looked into whether it could help you, now could be a good time to explore your options.
Who is eligible for breathing space?
To qualify for a standard breathing space, you need to meet certain conditions. You must be an individual (not a business), you must live or usually reside in England or Wales, and you must have at least one qualifying debt. You also cannot already be in an existing insolvency solution such as an IVA, a DRO, or bankruptcy.
You can only have one standard breathing space in any 12-month period. Your debt adviser will assess your situation and, if appropriate, apply for the breathing space on your behalf. You cannot apply directly yourself.
How to apply
The process starts with contacting a debt advice provider. This could be a free service such as MoneyHelper, StepChange, Citizens Advice, or another FCA-authorised debt advice organisation. Your adviser will review your financial situation, confirm your eligibility, and then register your breathing space electronically.
Once registered, your creditors are notified and the protections begin. The whole process is handled by your adviser, so you do not need to contact your creditors yourself.
What protection does it give you?
During the 60-day breathing space period, you are protected in several important ways:
- Creditors must freeze interest, fees and charges on qualifying debts
- Most enforcement action is paused, including bailiff visits and county court judgments
- Creditors cannot start new court proceedings for qualifying debts
- Contact from creditors about repayment should stop
- Your existing payment arrangements (like direct debits for ongoing bills) should continue as normal
It is worth knowing that certain debts are not covered, including ongoing liability for council tax for the current year, child maintenance, and court fines. Your debt adviser can explain exactly which of your debts qualify.
What are the limitations?
Breathing space is not a debt solution in itself. It does not write off any debt or reduce what you owe. Instead, it gives you protected time to work with a debt adviser and find a longer-term solution that suits your circumstances, whether that is a debt management plan, an IVA, a DRO, or another option.
You also have responsibilities during the breathing space period. You need to keep paying your ongoing bills and any debts not covered by the scheme. If you do not engage with the debt advice process, your breathing space could be cancelled early.
What happens after the 60 days?
Before the breathing space ends, your debt adviser should help you put a plan in place. This might involve setting up a formal debt solution, negotiating with creditors for affordable repayments, or exploring whether you qualify for a DRO or other option. The key is to use those 60 days productively.
If you are not sure where to start, the breathing space page on our site has more details about how the scheme works and how to take the first step.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Your circumstances are unique, so consider seeking professional guidance. MoneyHelper offers free, independent debt advice.