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Home / Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) / How long does a DAS Debt Payment Programme last?
DEBT ARRANGEMENT SCHEME (DAS)

How long does a DAS Debt Payment Programme last?

DPPs last as long as it takes to repay the debts at the agreed monthly rate. Because interest is frozen and the balance does not grow, the timescale depends on your monthly payment relative to the total debt.

How duration is calculated

Total debt ÷ monthly payment = approximate months. A £30,000 total debt paid at £150/month completes in about 200 months (16-17 years). At £300/month, about 100 months (8-9 years).

Because interest is frozen, the calculation is simpler than a DMP — the total debt does not grow during the DPP.

AiB expects DPPs to be reasonable — very long DPPs (30+ years) are unusual and may not be approved.

Extensions and variations

You can apply to vary the DPP during its life if your income changes. Reducing the payment extends the duration; increasing it shortens it.

AiB has discretion to approve or refuse variations. Reasonable variations to accommodate income drops are usually approved.

Completion and discharge

When all debts are repaid, the DPP completes and you are discharged from the scheme. The credit file entry then starts its six-year countdown from the DPP start date.

Because DPPs are often long, the credit file impact is longer than for time-limited solutions like DROs.

Key takeaways

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