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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Can I get a DRO if I owe more than £30,000?

No. The statutory ceiling for a Debt Relief Order (DRO) in England & Wales is strictly £30,000. If your debts exceed £30,000, an IVA, Bankruptcy, or DMP must be used.

How much does a Debt Relief Order cost in 2026?

A Debt Relief Order (DRO) is completely free (£0). The previous £90 government application fee was permanently abolished by the UK Government.

Statutory Debt Comparison Guide • 2026 Rules

DRO vs IVA: Debt Relief Order vs Individual Voluntary Arrangement

Both a Debt Relief Order (DRO) and an IVA are government-backed legal procedures that write off unaffordable UK debt. However, a DRO is tailored for low-income renters with debts under £30k, while an IVA is structured for individuals with disposable income or home equity.

Interactive Statutory Eligibility Tool (2026 Standard)

Check Your UK Debt Solution Eligibility

Calculated instantly in your browser against official Insolvency Service & DWP guidelines.

100% Free & Private

Total Unsecured Debt:£18,000

£1,000£30,000 (DRO Cap)£60,000+

Monthly Spare Income (After essentials):£60 / mo

£0 (DRO Range)£75 (DRO Cutoff)£500/mo

I own a property / have a mortgageVehicle / assets worth under £2,000

Most Suitable Statutory Solution:

Debt Relief Order (DRO)

With debts under £30,000 and disposable income under £75/month, a DRO can write off 100% of your eligible debt in 12 months with £0 upfront government application fees (2026 rule).

DRO: ✓ Eligible (£0 Fee)

IVA: ✗ Low Debt

DMP: ✓ Viable (Charity)

Bankruptcy: ⚠ Option (£680)

DRO vs IVA: Key Statutory Differences

Statutory Criteria	Debt Relief Order (DRO)	Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)
Maximum Debt Limit	Strictly £30,000 (2026 rule)	No legal upper limit (usually >£5k)
Disposable Income Cutoff	Must be under £75/month	Must be over £70/month
Homeowners Allowed?	No (Renters / Non-homeowners only)	Yes (Home equity protected)
Time to Total Debt Discharge	12 Months (1 Year)	5 to 6 Years (60–72 monthly payments)
Upfront Government Fee	£0 (Abolished under 2024/2026 legislation)	£0 upfront (IP fees taken from monthly plan)
Asset Ceiling	Max £2,000 total assets (£2,000 vehicle cap)	Flexible; assets negotiated in proposal
Official Administrator	Insolvency Service via Approved Intermediary	Licensed Insolvency Practitioner (IP)

`r/UKPersonalFinance` Community Reality Check

"If you rent, earn minimum wage, have less than £75 left after rent and bills, and owe under £30k, a DRO is virtually always the superior choice over an IVA. It finishes in 12 months with £0 fees. Commercial IVA companies might try to sell you an IVA because they earn fees from it—always double-check DRO eligibility with StepChange or Citizens Advice first."

Check Your DRO and IVA Eligibility Instantly

Take our free Financial Survival Check for an exact calculation against 2026 UK statutory thresholds.

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