Need money urgently while under debt review?
17 May 2026 · Debt Review Centre
If you are under debt review and urgently need money, tell your existing counsellor what the money is for, how much is needed and when. New credit is restricted during debt review, so another loan can create problems for your current repayment arrangement.
For the general rules, read can you get a loan while under debt review? This guide focuses on organising an urgent shortfall.
Write down the immediate need
- The essential expense and the amount required.
- The due date and what would happen if payment is late.
- The cash available now and the date of your next reliable income.
- Other essential expenses and debt payments due before then.
For example, distinguish a once-off repair from a budget that is short every month. A recurring gap needs a review of the whole plan, even if someone can help with today’s expense.
Contact the people who can assess the options
Send the figures to your counsellor and include supporting documents such as an invoice or income-change notice. Ask what can be considered under your existing arrangement and what approval would be needed.
For the urgent expense itself, check any existing insurance, employee benefit or other support that might apply. Ask the provider whether a different payment date or arrangement is possible, and have any arrangement that may be credit checked before agreeing.
Check a loan offer before giving away money or documents
Do not assume that an advertisement accepting debt review clients makes the offer suitable or lawful. Be cautious about guaranteed approval, requests for money to release a loan, or pressure to sign before receiving the full terms.
If you have already accepted an offer, share the agreement and payment records with your counsellor. Explain what has happened so the actual position can be assessed.
Protect the current repayment process
Do not quietly change allocations, stop the agreed payment or pay one creditor separately without discussing it with your counsellor. Ask what is required while a request is being considered and keep the response in writing.
If a payment has already been missed, report it promptly. The missed-payment guide explains what information to prepare.
Check whether the budget needs a lasting change
Use the affordability calculator to organise revised income and expenses. It is a planning tool, not permission to change your debt review payment.
For a broader income loss or unexpected expense, use the emergency action checklist. If you need to understand the support a counsellor provides, read the debt counselling guide.
Related questions and next steps
- Speak to a registered debt counsellor
Find out what an assessment should cover and what support to ask about.
- An emergency during debt review
What to prepare and discuss when your circumstances change.
- Can you pause a debt review payment?
Understand why a missed payment needs attention before you skip it.
- Prepare your questions and documents
Use a checklist to organise the next conversation.
See what your monthly payment could look like
Use the free calculator to enter your income, expenses, and debt payments. You will get an immediate estimate of your possible debt review payment and monthly savings. It is not an application.