The two types of Breathing Space
Standard Breathing Space: 60 days of legal protection for anyone in debt. Applied for through a regulated debt help specialist (StepChange, Citizens Advice, National Debtline, MoneyHelper, PayPlan and various Local Authority debt teams).
Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space: extended protection lasting as long as the mental health crisis treatment plus 30 days. Applied for through an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) — usually via NHS mental health services.
What Breathing Space does
Legally freezes enforcement action by all listed creditors for 60 days.
Freezes interest, fees and charges on all listed debts.
Stops most creditor contact — only regulated communications about the scheme itself continue.
Bailiff action is paused. CCJ enforcement is paused.
How to apply for Standard Breathing Space
Contact a regulated debt help specialist (any of the free organisations listed above).
They assess your situation and, if suitable, apply on your behalf through the Insolvency Service portal.
The Breathing Space starts immediately on approval and creditors are notified within a few days.
What Breathing Space is not
It is not a debt solution itself. It creates space for you to get help and consider your options.
You need to have taken meaningful action towards a solution (formal or informal) within the 60 days, or Breathing Space simply ends and enforcement can resume.
You can only get one Standard Breathing Space in a 12-month period.