Can you skip or pause a debt review payment?
Published on 17 October 2025
Know what to do before or after a missed debt review payment. Prepare the figures and confirm any agreed change with your counsellor.
Read more →Debt review guides and money tools
Find answers about debt review, debt counselling and managing your money. Start with the question that matters to you, then follow the guide to a practical next step.
Find the answer you need
Before you apply
Check whether debt review fits your situation and compare the alternatives.
- Who qualifies for debt review?
The income, expenses and commitments a counsellor needs to assess.
- Is debt review worth it?
Weigh the benefits, restrictions and responsibilities before deciding.
- Debt review, consolidation or administration?
Compare what each route involves and the questions to ask about cost.
- Debt review and sequestration
Understand why these options need different assessments.
- Common debt review misconceptions
Read answers to common worries about the process.
- Borrowing to pay existing debt
Recognise the borrowing cycle and consider your next step.
- How to choose a debt counsellor
Use the register, ask questions and compare the support offered.
Fees, interest and repayments
Understand a quote and the difference between a lower payment and a lower total cost.
- Debt review fees
Know which charges to ask about before accepting a quote.
- Credit-card interest and debt review
Understand how interest affects repayments and what to discuss with a counsellor.
- The cost of a payment holiday
See why postponing a payment can change the amount you repay.
Creditors and legal notices
Understand collection stages, your responsibilities and when to ask for help.
- How the debt collection process works
Understand notices, summonses and later collection stages.
- How repossession works
Read about repossession, voluntary surrender and the documents involved.
- Debt review and repossession
Understand why the stage of an account matters when asking for help.
- Creditors during debt review
Read about creditor conduct and your responsibilities under a plan.
- Debt review and legal protection
Understand the steps to discuss when legal action is a concern.
- Garnishee orders and salary deductions
Learn about the legal documents involved in debt collection.
- Reckless credit allegations
Read about the assessment of lending and a case described by DRC.
- Signing personal surety
Understand the commitment before guaranteeing another person’s debt.
- National Credit Act amendments in 2014
A historical article about changes to credit legislation.
While you are under debt review
Find guidance on payment problems, emergencies, work and family circumstances.
- Can you get a loan during debt review?
Understand credit restrictions, emergency needs and borrowing after clearance.
- Need money urgently during debt review?
Prepare an action plan for an unexpected shortfall.
- 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.
- Managing debt after retrenchment
Start with your budget, documents and conversations with creditors.
- Debt review and your job
Read about employment questions to discuss before applying.
- Debt review and marriage
Prepare questions about household finances and your marriage contract.
Completing debt review
Understand the repayment term, clearance and the next steps for your credit record.
- Completing or leaving debt review
Find out why your legal stage and supporting documents matter.
- How long does debt review take?
Understand what can change the length of a repayment plan.
- Your credit record after debt review
Read about checking your record after completing the process.
- Understanding the 2014 credit amnesty
A historical explanation of credit information amnesty.
Budgeting and paying off debt
Plan household spending, compare repayment methods and prepare for unexpected costs.
- Build a household budget in five steps
List your income, spending and debts, then check the plan each month.
- Paying off debt yourself
Prepare a budget and choose a repayment order you can maintain.
- Planning a holiday-season budget
Set aside ordinary expenses before deciding what to spend on celebrations.
- Teaching children about money
Use everyday decisions to practise spending and saving.
- Borrowing money for someone else
Consider your own liability before taking credit for friends or family.
- Managing fuel costs
Consider transport costs as part of your household budget.
From Debt Review Centre
Read client accounts and company news in their original context.
- A debt review repayment example
Read the circumstances and repayment figures described in this case.
- A client’s interest-rate example
Read the account-by-account rates and figures described by DRC.
- A creditor write-off case
Read this individual account in its original circumstances.
- DRC Cares: Adelaide drought relief
Company news about a community assistance project.
Free money tools
Choose the tool that answers your question. The figures are estimates; they do not decide whether you qualify for debt review.
- Debt review calculator
Check your budget and an illustrative payment before fees.
- Household affordability
See what remains after living costs and debt payments.
- Debt-to-income ratio
Compare debt repayments with monthly income.
- Debt avalanche calculator
Compare paying the highest interest rate first with minimums only.
- Total cost of credit
Explore how interest, payments and term affect repayment cost.
- Emergency fund calculator
Work out a savings target based on essential spending.
- Can I afford this purchase?
Check a planned purchase against the money left in your month.
- Net worth calculator
Compare the value of your assets with the debts you owe.
- Financial health self-check
Explore your household finances with an educational score.
- Credit score education
Explore credit behaviours without running a credit check.
- Prescribed debt checker
Identify questions to discuss about an older debt.
Choosing between different approaches? Compare debt relief options.
Browse all articles, page 2
How long does debt review take in South Africa?
Published on 15 October 2025
Understand what affects a debt review repayment period, how extra payments can change progress and what to check before clearance.
Read more →
Is debt review worth it? Benefits and commitments
Published on 14 October 2025
Weigh debt review against fees, new-credit restrictions, repayment time and other options. Prepare questions before deciding to apply.
Read more →
Navigating Debt Review and Marriage: What South African Couples Should Know
Published on 9 October 2025
Understanding how your marriage contract impacts your debt is crucial, especially when entering debt review. Here's a simple guide to what's what.
Read more →
How Long Does It Take to Remove Adverse Listings After Debt Review?
Published on 6 October 2025
Wondering how long it takes for adverse listings to be removed from your credit profile after settling your debt? We break down the timeline, explain the NCR Debt Help process, and show you what to do if things take longer than expected.
Read more →
An emergency during debt review: what to do next
Published on 6 October 2025
Prepare your changed budget, supporting documents and payment dates. Know what to ask your counsellor about an emergency during debt review.
Read more →
Can You Apply for Credit During Debt Review? Here's What You Need to Know in South Africa
Published on 5 October 2025
In South Africa, once you're under debt review, applying for new credit isn’t allowed. Learn why it's important to follow the rules and protect your financial future.
Read more →
Understanding Debt Review: A Simple Guide for South Africans Battling Debt
Published on 5 October 2025
Feeling overwhelmed by debt in South Africa? Learn the basics of debt review, how it works, and why it might be the lifeline you're looking for.
Read more →
Will Debt Review Affect Your Job? Here's the Real Deal
Published on 5 October 2025
Worried that debt review might mess with your job? Let’s clear up the confusion and talk about what really happens when you go under debt review in South Africa.
Read more →How to complete or leave debt review in South Africa
Published on 2 October 2025
Understand clearance certificates, the home-loan exception and debt review removal warnings. Check your legal stage before paying for a removal service.
Read more →
Beware of "Cheap" Debt Review
Published on 19 September 2025
As a rule of thumb, it's good to remember, that Lowest Instalment = Costly Repercussions Cost-cutting is great, but when researching Debt Counsellors this should not take top priority. The cheapest de…
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The True Cost of A Payment Holiday
Published on 19 September 2025
Whether you have taken the payment holiday or are considering it, it's always best to have all the right information to help your decision. Here is an example of what that would look like. Assumptions…
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