Can I add to a DMP ?

[Choc88]

Please don’t judge me- I already feel terrible about the situation I’m in.

I got into debt about 8 years ago from being a stay at home mum. I ended up receiving help from Stepchange & had a DMP arranged. I have one year to go on this plan.

At the start of 2025, I lost my job and was out of work for 6 months. Stupidly I thought I could carry on using credit to live and I ended up having 2 credit cards.

I have been back in work since summer however now I’m unable to manage to pay the credit cards and the DMP and the other things like food shopping, etc.

My husband pays the mortgage and bills and would be so upset with me for getting into debt again. I would rather not let him know as money is tight. We have two children.

Can anyone advise me what to do ? I’m working as a TA so my wage isn’t great but now half of it goes on these credit cards & I don’t have much left really for the rest of the month.

Has anyone added to a DMP ? Is that possible ? I think it’s about £8000 in total with high interest rates.

I advise telling your husband, it’s wrong to keep secrets like this in a marriage and if he’s working he may help pay off the credit cards. What exactly did he think you were doing for money when you were unemployed?

I would advise you to contact Stepchange to see what they recommend. I also think you should tell your DH.

In theory yes you can add to a DMP, but as this is recent debt it is more likely to be seen as intentional borrowing while on a DMP and in those circumstances unlikely to be allowed to be added.

You need to speak to your husband.

my pal wasn’t allowed to add to hers in similar circs.

why do you keep getting into debt? is DH providing enough money to run the house? if not i’d be getting that sorted pronto. and explaining to him how much stuff costs. so many times you see it on here that the woman is expected to run a house on buttons while the man has savings building up from his Big Important Job.

if it’s not that and youre addicted to gambling or drinking or shopping for luxury items (or anything else you don’t need), unril you address this you will keep getting into debt.

if that’s the case seek help and then speak to him. at least you will have taken the initiative first. maybe he won’t be so angry. eight grand is a lot of money.