Do not apply to bypass debt review
The NCR explains that debt counselling restricts access to further credit. Discuss your status and any changed circumstances with your registered debt counsellor before considering a new application.
Debt review is different from a low score
An adverse credit entry, an application declined by a lender and a formal debt-review status are not interchangeable. Each can require a different next step. If you do not understand a status shown on your report, ask the bureau and your counsellor for an explanation instead of guessing on a new application.
If your situation has changed
Prepare a current list of income, essential expenses and affected payments. Tell your counsellor about the change and ask how it affects your existing plan. Keep the response and any approved changes with your records. Stopping payments without an agreed plan can create a separate problem.
Confirm your current status and the stage of the process.- Ask which documents are needed to assess changed circumstances.
- Check the next due payments and any confirmed arrangement.
- Ask what lawful completion or exit route applies to your own circumstances.
Be careful with removal promises
The NCR’s March 2025 circular warns about businesses promising debt-review removal for upfront fees. Paying someone does not establish that you qualify for removal. The circular explains that eligibility depends on the circumstances and points to the regulator’s withdrawal guidance.
Verify an adviser independently. Ask for the service, legal basis, fees and proposed steps in writing before sharing documents. Do not borrow money to pay for a promise of immediate removal or guaranteed new credit.
If you believe the status is wrong
Gather the relevant correspondence and ask the responsible organisation to investigate. Follow the credit-report dispute process for inaccurate bureau information. Keep a record of what you submitted and the response. A disputed status is not permission to ignore an existing agreement.
For current repayment pressure, our support checklist can help you prepare for a conversation.
Sources and further reading
Reviewed 28 October 2026. General information from Lendeka; your agreement and applicable law govern your loan.