DMP
Can I get credit during a DMP?
A DMP is informal, so there's no legal limit on borrowing, but the markers on your file make new credit harder and pricier. Here's what's actually allowed, what lenders see, and when it's worth waiting.
- No legal limit
- But harder to get
Written and reviewed by the AfterMy team · Last reviewed October 2026
Quick answerThere's no legal limit and no one's permission to ask for. A DMP is informal, unlike an IVA, whose terms usually include a £500 limit. But it is harder and more expensive in practice, because the DMP shows on your credit file and lenders see reduced payments. Your DMP provider may advise against new credit while you are on a plan.
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The short version
A debt management plan is an informal arrangement, not a form of insolvency. That is the key difference from an IVA. There is no legal limit on credit, no £500 limit, and no supervisor whose permission you need.
The catch is what lenders see. Your DMP usually shows on your credit file, often as an arrangement to pay marker or a note that you are paying less than the original agreement, alongside any missed payments or defaults that led to the plan. To a lender that signals recent difficulty, so approvals are harder to come by and the credit you can get tends to be expensive.
Why providers usually advise against it
DMP providers may tell you not to take on new credit while you are on a plan. Your plan is built around paying what you can afford after essentials. Adding a new monthly payment puts pressure on that budget and can knock you off track, which risks the priority bills that matter most.
There is also the cost. Because your file shows recent trouble, the credit available to you is usually high interest, and taking on expensive borrowing while you are clearing debt is a step backwards.
When borrowing might be necessary
Life happens, and sometimes credit is genuinely needed, such as replacing a car you rely on for work. If that is the case, the sensible first step is to speak to your DMP provider. They may be able to adjust your plan to help, and they can talk through whether the timing makes sense.
What helps your file while you are on a DMP
You do not need new credit to make progress. Sticking to your DMP payments, keeping every other bill on time, and staying on the electoral roll all build a steadier picture.
A well-managed DMP can actually look better to future lenders than the missed payments that came before it, because it shows you are dealing with things responsibly.
What changes when your DMP ends
A DMP is flexible. You can adjust or end it at any time, and it finishes when your debts are cleared or when you can resume full payments. If your plan ended because the debts were repaid, they should be marked settled or satisfied.
Come back when your DMP has finished.
Guides
Keep reading
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is there a credit limit during a DMP like the £500 IVA limit?
No. A DMP is informal, so there is no legal credit limit and no permission to ask for. The limits are practical, not legal.
Will a DMP show on my credit file?
Often yes. Creditors may add an arrangement to pay marker or a note that you are on a DMP, and any missed payments or defaults will show too.
Does applying for credit hurt me during a DMP?
A run of applications, collecting hard searches, can set you back.
Should I wait until my DMP ends?
Usually yes. New credit adds strain to a budget already built around what you can afford, and waiting lets your file start recovering first.
Come back when your DMP has finished.
While your DMP is running, this guide explains the position.