ÖйúPÕ¾

Support available for people in mental health crisis

There are 2 types of Breathing Space'.

Standard Breathing Space

This is for anyone with problem debt. It offers you legal protections from creditor action for up to 60 days. If you get it, creditors cannot:

• take enforcement action against you
• contact you
• add interest or charges to your debt

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS)

This is only for people who are getting mental health crisis treatment. It gives stronger protections. It lasts as long as your mental health crisis treatment, plus 30 days.

See the for scheme.

You can apply for a MHCBS as:

• the debtor
• their carer
• advocates
• mental health professionals
• health and social care workers

How to apply for the Breathing Space scheme

To apply for the ‘Breathing Space’ scheme, you need to talk to a debt adviser. They will submit an application for you.

You can on the MoneyHelper website.

If you’re getting mental health treatment and cannot speak to a debt adviser, you can ask for someone to do it for you.

Mental health professionals should use the .

Breathing Space covers the following types of debts:

• credit cards
• store cards
• personal loans
• pay day loans
• overdrafts
• utility bill arrears
• mortgage or rent arrears

Breathing Space doesn’t cover every type of debt. See .