Is CrisisCompass free?

Yes. All core tools — Survival Check, Benefits Finder, Hardship Letter Generator, Budget Calculator, Debt Priority Checker, and AI Chat — are completely free. Optional premium PDF documents start from £2.99.

Is CrisisCompass financial advice?

No. CrisisCompass provides general information and tools. For personalised financial advice, we recommend contacting StepChange (0800 138 1111) or Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).

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Breathing Space: the 60-day debt pause most people don't know about

Since May 2021, a legal protection called **Breathing Space** (officially the Debt Respite Scheme) gives people in debt a 60-day pause from all enforcement.

What does Breathing Space do?

During the 60-day period:

Creditors **must stop** all enforcement action

**No interest or charges** can be added to qualifying debts

Creditors **cannot contact** you about the debt

**Bailiff action is paused**

This applies to almost all debts, including council tax

How to get Breathing Space

You can't apply directly. You need to go through a **registered debt advisor**. Free options include:

StepChange (0800 138 1111)

Citizens Advice

National Debtline

The advisor will check you're eligible and start the process. It usually takes just a few days.

Who qualifies?

Most people in problem debt qualify, with a few exceptions:

You can only have Breathing Space once per year

You must not already be in a formal debt solution (IVA, DRO, bankruptcy)

You must be willing to engage with debt advice during the 60 days

What happens after 60 days?

Breathing Space is designed to give you time to get advice and find a solution — not to make debt disappear. During the 60 days, your advisor will help you explore options like DMPs, DROs, or IVAs.

Mental Health Breathing Space

If you're receiving mental health crisis treatment, you may qualify for **Mental Health Breathing Space**, which lasts for the duration of treatment plus 30 days. Ask your mental health professional.

This is one of the most powerful and underused protections available. If you're being chased by creditors, it could give you the space you need to find a solution.