What is a DRO?
ADRO (Debt Relief Order) is one way to deal with your debts. You may be able to get a DRO if all of the following things apply to you:
You’re unable to pay your debts Your debts are worth up to £20,000 You’ve got £50 or less left over each month after you’ve paid your usual household expenses
You don’t own your home
Other savings or things of value you own, called assets, are worth less than £1,000 (some assets are ignored when working out the value)
You don’t own a car worth £1,000 or more, unless it’s one that’s been specially adapted because you have a disability
You haven’t had a DRO in the last six years and aren’t going through another formal insolvency procedure, such as bankruptcy or an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)
You’ve lived, had a property, or worked in England or Wales in the last three years.
If you’re unsure about whether a DRO is right for you, including whether you’re eligible, speak to a DRO adviser. You can find a DRO adviser at Citizens Advice Wokingham. While a DRO is in force:
You don’t have to make payments towards most types of debt included in your DRO
Your creditors can’t force you to pay off the debts.
At the end of the DRO period, usually around a year:
Your debts will be written off
You’re still responsible for paying off any that aren’t included in the DRO - this is because DROs don’t cover all debts.
To apply for a DRO: There’s a fee of £90. If you can’t afford to pay the fee you may be able to get help towards the cost from some charities. You have to go to a DRO adviser, also called an approved intermediary - you can’t submit your own application. You can find a DRO adviser at most local Citizens Advice offices.
There are some charities and trusts that may be able to help with paying the DRO fee, so it is worth asking your DRO adviser about this.
You can get help, information and advice from your local Citizens Advice or visit www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk or contact Citizens Advice Wokingham at Second Floor, Waterford House, Erftstadt Court, Wokingham RG40
2YF. Tel: 0300 330 1189. email: public@ citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk