DRO checker: could a Debt Relief Order work for you?
Check in two minutes whether you might meet the 2026 Debt Relief Order rules in England and Wales: debts up to £50,000, spare income of £75 a month or less and assets under £2,000.
A Debt Relief Order (DRO) can write off debts of up to £50,000 if you have a low income and few assets. It’s free, but the rules are strict. This checker compares your answers with the main rules so you know whether it’s worth asking a debt adviser about one.
Could a Debt Relief Order work for you?
Answer eight questions. It takes about two minutes and nothing is sent anywhere: your answers stay on this page.
A guide, not a decision. This independent tool is not run by the government or the Insolvency Service. Only an approved intermediary (a qualified debt adviser) can confirm whether you qualify for a DRO, using your full budget and the official rules. Their help is free.
The rules this checker uses
These are the main DRO rules in England and Wales in 2026. The full rules have more detail, which an adviser will go through with you.
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Total debts you want to include | £50,000 or less |
| Spare income after essential costs | £75 a month or less |
| Savings, valuables and other assets | £2,000 or less |
| Vehicle | One worth less than £4,000 doesn’t count as an asset |
| Where you live | You’ve lived, had a home or worked in England or Wales in the last 3 years |
| Previous DRO | None applied for in the last 6 years |
| Other debt solutions | Not bankrupt or in an IVA |
An adviser works out your spare income using the Standard Financial Statement, which sets reasonable amounts for things like food and travel. Your figure might come out higher or lower than the one in this checker. Read the full Debt Relief Order guide for how DROs work, their downsides and how they stop bailiffs.
Debts a DRO can’t include
Some debts stay outside a DRO, so you’d still need to pay them:
- magistrates’ court fines
- child maintenance arrears
- student loans
- debts from fraud, and most social fund loans
Council tax arrears, rent arrears, energy debts, credit cards, loans, overdrafts and catalogue debts can usually be included. See what debts can be included in a DRO.
If a DRO isn’t right for you
Not meeting the rules today doesn’t mean you have no options. A debt management plan, an IVA or bankruptcy may fit, and Breathing Space can pause most creditor and bailiff action for 60 days while you decide. Compare them in our debt solutions guide.
Talk your options through
You can also get free help with a DRO application from MoneyHelper and debt charities. Approved intermediaries never charge for DRO help.