Missed an IVA payment or need a break?
This guide covers England and Wales
The short answer
Tell your IVA supervisor as soon as a payment looks difficult. Ask about a review, reduced payments or an agreed payment break. Do not assume a missed payment is already an agreed holiday.
A missed payment does not by itself tell you that the IVA has ended. Read any notice and its deadline. Your own terms decide what happens next.
Use the contact details on your own IVA papers. There is nothing to upload or sign up for here.
Checked Sources
Editorial responsibility: IVAs & Bankruptcy — how we check and correct information.
What to tell the supervisor
Use the contact details on your IVA documents. If you cannot reach them, a free debt adviser can help you find a way forward.
- Which payment is affected and why.
- What has changed in income or essential spending.
- Any urgent letters, deadlines or other missed priority bills.
- Ask for the agreed change, effect on the end date and any next deadline in writing.
Payment holiday or reduced payments?
A payment holiday pauses agreed payments for a time; it can extend the IVA to make up the shortfall. An agreed reduction is different. Do not assume you can change either yourself.
The 2025 protocol terms give the supervisor limited discretion to agree breaks or reductions. Larger changes may need creditors to approve a variation. Older or bespoke arrangements may have different limits.
If you receive a breach notice
A breach notice identifies something the supervisor says has not met the arrangement. It is different from a certificate terminating it. Check the action required and the response date.
Under the 2025 protocol, a notice normally gives one month to remedy a breach, propose a reasonable plan to remedy it, or explain it if required. Do not rely on this summary instead of the date and terms in your papers.
If payments are no longer manageable
Ask the supervisor to explain the options and consequences. If an IVA ends, creditors may pursue balances and interest again; bankruptcy is also a possible consequence. Get free advice before agreeing to another paid arrangement.
What to do next
Free, independent debt advice
These services are free. They will not judge you, and they can look at your whole situation.
Free debt advice charity. They can talk through all your options with you.
Call free: 0800 138 1111 (number checked on their website on 24 October 2026)
Covers: UK
Free, confidential debt advice by phone and online.
Call free: 0808 808 4000 (number checked on their website on 24 October 2026)
Covers: England, Wales and Scotland
Free advice on debt, housing, benefits and more. By phone, online or in person.
Call free: 0800 144 8848 (number checked on their website on 24 October 2026)
Covers: England (this is the Adviceline number for England)
Free money guidance backed by government. It has a tool to find free debt advice near you.
Covers: UK
Related guides
- IVA failed: check the notice and get helpUnderstand breach versus termination, the papers to check and where to get free advice after an IVA ends. No automatic replacement IVA recommendation.
- IVA annual review: documents and changesPrepare for an IVA annual review with a documents checklist. Explain changed circumstances to your supervisor without uploading private papers here.
- Find free debt and housing helpFree, independent debt advice and urgent housing help in England and Wales: StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice, Shelter and more.