Breathing Space Calculator
Work out your Debt Respite Scheme protection dates and days remaining
Last updated: June 2026
Breathing Space Date Calculator
Work out your Debt Respite Scheme protection end date, midway-review window and days remaining. Choose Standard or Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space below.
What is the Breathing Space Calculator?
The Breathing Space calculator works out the key dates of the UK government's Debt Respite Scheme, introduced under the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. Breathing Space gives people in problem debt legal protection from creditor action while they get debt advice. There are two types. A Standard Breathing Space lasts up to 60 days from the date it starts, with a midway review carried out by your debt adviser between day 25 and day 35. A Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space lasts for the whole length of your mental health crisis treatment plus a further 30 days.
This tool is for anyone in England or Wales who has entered, or is considering, the Debt Respite Scheme and wants to know exactly when their protection ends, when the midway review is due, and how many days of protection are left. It is also useful for advisers and family members helping someone manage problem debt. Just choose your scheme type, enter the relevant date, and the calculator returns your protection end date and review window instantly. It does not apply for the scheme on your behalf - that must be done by an FCA-authorised debt adviser.
How it works
- Standard Breathing Space: Protection end date = start date + 60 days. The midway review window runs from start date + 25 days to start date + 35 days.
- Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space: Protection end date = the date your crisis treatment ends + 30 days. There is no fixed 60-day cap, so it can last longer than a Standard Breathing Space.
- Days remaining: The number of whole days between today and your protection end date.
During either type of Breathing Space, your creditors cannot add most interest, fees or charges to the debts included, cannot take enforcement action, and cannot contact you about those debts. Breathing Space is not a write-off - the debts still exist and you should keep paying what you can.
Worked example
Sarah enters a Standard Breathing Space on 1 June 2026. Adding 60 days gives a protection end date of Friday 31 July 2026. Her debt adviser must carry out the midway review between 26 June 2026 (day 25) and 6 July 2026 (day 35). If today were 27 June 2026, she would have 34 days of protection remaining. Throughout this period interest and charges on her included debts are frozen and enforcement is paused.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Standard Breathing Space last?
A Standard Breathing Space gives you up to 60 days of legal protection from your creditors, counted from the date it starts. Your debt adviser reviews your case between day 25 and day 35.
How long does a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space last?
It lasts for as long as your mental health crisis treatment continues, plus an extra 30 days after the treatment ends. Because there is no 60-day cap, it can run for longer than a Standard Breathing Space.
Is Breathing Space a debt write-off?
No. Breathing Space pauses interest, charges, contact and enforcement on included debts, but the debts still exist and remain payable. You should keep up any payments you are able to make.
How do I apply for Breathing Space?
You cannot apply directly. You must speak to an FCA-authorised debt adviser - for example through MoneyHelper or a free debt charity - who will assess your situation and start the Breathing Space for you if you are eligible.
Source: GOV.UK - Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) and the official guidance for creditors.