Getting Help in Singapore | Debt and Credit Counselling

If you cannot keep up with credit card bills, personal loans or other debts in Singapore, contact your creditors early and get independent debt counselling. Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) is a registered charity that helps people understand unsecured debt problems and, when suitable, work toward structured repayment. Its published telephone number is 6225 5227, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, excluding holidays.

Do not assume that one government scheme will cancel your debts. Singapore has different routes for different stages of debt: direct creditor negotiations, the CCS Debt Management Programme (DMP), financial-institution Debt Consolidation Plans (DCP), and the court-related Debt Repayment Scheme (DRS). You cannot apply directly for DRS; Singapore’s Official Assignee explains that a bankruptcy application must first be before the High Court for possible referral.

Quick actions for someone in debt:

Stop adding avoidable debt. Do not borrow from another lender just to keep paying interest on the existing balance without understanding the total cost.
Protect essential needs. List necessary housing, food, medicine and transport spending before proposing any repayment amount.
Contact creditors. Ask each bank or lender what restructuring or relief arrangements may be considered.
Speak with CCS. Attend its consumer debt-management information talk and follow the steps for a counselling appointment.
Read legal notices promptly. A demand letter or court document may impose deadlines; seek legal advice when necessary.
Check the right scheme. DMP, DCP and DRS are not the same programme and are not all available by application.
Avoid debt “rescue” scams. Never pay someone claiming to guarantee discharge, secret government grants or instant cancellation of all loans.

Where to Get Debt Help in Singapore

A debt problem is not always caused by one huge loan. Sometimes a household has several smaller credit-card balances, instalment payments and recurring interest charges that collectively exceed what it can pay.

The first task is to see the whole financial position, not to calculate which lender is most aggressive. Write down what you owe, to whom, at what rate, what is overdue and what income is actually available. Then choose an option with the people qualified to assess it.

Credit Counselling Singapore’s consumer debt guidance is a practical first stop for unsecured debts. For a broader understanding of sustainable debt plans, see The Gold Standard of Credit Counselling Services | Debt Plans That Protect Essential Living.

What Happens at Credit Counselling Singapore?

CCS helps individuals with unsecured debt difficulties assess income, expenses, creditors and possible repayment options. It also conducts free information talks on managing debts.

According to CCS, its consumer debt-management process generally begins with attending an information talk. People seeking an individual counselling session then follow the appointment steps provided after the talk, including a request form and supporting documents.

A counsellor may help you:

List outstanding unsecured debts and creditors.
Understand actual monthly income and necessary expenses.
Estimate what can be repaid without relying on unrealistic assumptions.
Compare alternatives and their consequences.
Consider whether a structured repayment plan is suitable.
Prepare to communicate with creditors more effectively.

CCS is not a source of cash to pay the debts for you. It is an advice and facilitation service. A creditor must agree to any relevant repayment proposal, and counselling does not erase balances automatically.

Is the first CCS talk free?

CCS advertises free consumer debt-management information talks. Ask CCS about any fees, conditions or documents for further individual services and programmes rather than assuming every subsequent service has identical terms.

How do I contact CCS?

Use the official CCS consumer debt page to see current talk registration and appointment procedures. Its published number is 6225 5227, with weekday operating hours of 9am to 6pm.

An information talk can be useful even if you are still deciding whether to seek an individual counselling session. It explains how creditors may respond and what structured programmes can and cannot do.

Step 1: Build an Accurate Debt List

Do not guess the total from memory. Use the latest available statements and include outstanding balances, minimum payments and any overdue amounts.

For each creditor, record:

Name of the bank, financial institution or licensed moneylender.
Type of debt: credit card, credit line, personal loan or another facility.
Current outstanding amount.
Interest rate or relevant charges, if stated.
Next payment due date and amount.
Whether the account is overdue or subject to collection action.
Any existing restructuring or payment arrangement.
A contact channel verified through the creditor’s official site.

If a debt is disputed, note that separately. Do not silently agree to an amount you believe is wrong just because a collector has made a demand. Ask for the statement and seek appropriate professional advice.

This list makes it possible to see whether debt is concentrated in one account or spread across several. It also helps a counsellor understand which options might be realistic.

Step 2: Work Out What You Can Really Repay

A repayment plan should not depend on skipping essential medication, losing housing or taking a new high-interest loan every month.

Start with the household’s reliable net income. Then calculate necessary housing, food, utilities, transport to work, healthcare and dependent care. Include other unavoidable obligations. What remains is a starting point for assessing payment capacity, not a guarantee that creditors will accept that amount.

CCS’s credit counselling guidance describes working through a personal or household budget to understand available repayment capacity.

Example: why the smallest promised payment may still be too large

A person with S$2,500 in monthly take-home income may initially think they can promise S$1,000 to creditors. But if rent, groceries, transport and essential family expenses amount to S$2,100, the budget cannot support that promise.

This is only an illustration, not a recommended allocation. The appropriate figure depends on actual expenses, legal obligations, all creditors and financial assessment.

If your income is irregular, be candid about the variation. A plan based on your best month is fragile when the next month is weaker.

Step 3: Speak to Creditors Before the Problem Escalates

CCS advises borrowers to remain contactable, respond to letters and discuss repayment arrangements they can realistically maintain.

When talking to a bank or licensed lender, explain the real change in circumstances. Ask what information the lender needs to assess restructuring, revised instalments or another appropriate arrangement.

You can say:

“I want to repay what I owe but my present financial circumstances mean I cannot meet the current instalments. My monthly income is approximately S$[amount] and I have essential household costs of S$[amount]. Could you explain what repayment arrangements are available and how they would affect total interest, fees and my account?”

Do not make a payment promise purely to end a difficult phone call. Request written terms and check the total repayment burden, not only the next amount due.

Making a smaller payment without an agreed restructuring may not satisfy the contractual minimum or stop collection action. Ask each creditor how a proposed arrangement will be treated.

What Is the CCS Debt Management Programme (DMP)?

The CCS Debt Management Programme is a structured repayment arrangement that CCS may facilitate between a suitable borrower and participating creditors.

It generally involves a realistic instalment plan intended to repay debt through agreed monthly payments. The borrower must meet the programme’s suitability conditions, and creditors need to review and approve the proposal.

It is not a guarantee that all lenders must cooperate. Nor is it a government debt forgiveness programme or a way to erase a loan simply by attending a webinar.

A programme may require adjustments to spending and use of credit facilities. Ask CCS what account restrictions, documentation and reporting responsibilities could apply before agreeing to terms.

Who is DMP for?

It may be considered where a borrower has unsecured debts, can make some sustainable repayments and needs a coordinated discussion with creditors. A counsellor assesses the person’s actual situation.

A person with no available repayment capacity may need a different route or temporary household assistance. A person with mostly housing mortgage or business debts may need specialised advice. The correct solution is based on the debt type, not simply the overall sum.

Debt Consolidation Plan (DCP): How Is It Different?

A Debt Consolidation Plan is a financial product offered by participating financial institutions to eligible borrowers with certain unsecured credit debts. It consolidates eligible debts into a structured arrangement subject to provider and regulatory conditions.

Unlike CCS’s counselling-facilitated DMP, DCP is offered by a lender and requires its own eligibility, credit assessment, interest and fee terms. It is not a universal approval mechanism for anyone with debt.

Before considering a consolidation offer, compare the total repayment amount, interest, fees, duration and restrictions with the existing debts. A smaller monthly instalment can sometimes mean paying over a longer period.

Do not use “consolidate everything” as a reason to accept a new loan without understanding the terms. Ask the lender for the relevant product disclosure and obtain independent counselling if uncertain.

What Is Singapore’s Debt Repayment Scheme (DRS)?

DRS is a court-linked alternative to bankruptcy for suitable debtors. It is administered by the Ministry of Law’s Official Assignee and should not be confused with ordinary debt counselling.

The Official Assignee’s DRS guidance states:

There is no direct DRS application to join the scheme.
A bankruptcy application must first be made in the High Court.
If total liabilities do not exceed S$150,000, the Court may refer the matter to the Official Assignee for eligibility and suitability assessment.
Referral does not guarantee a DRS placement.
Suitable participants may receive a repayment plan lasting no more than five years, subject to its conditions and fees.
Completion of an approved plan can bring release from debts admitted under the scheme.

The official debtor eligibility information includes criteria such as regular income, past bankruptcy or DRS history and business status. Do not assume that having less than S$150,000 in debt automatically makes you eligible.

Can I sign up to DRS before anyone files for bankruptcy?

No. The Official Assignee expressly says DRS is considered after a bankruptcy application is before the High Court. Be cautious of anyone advertising a paid “direct DRS enrolment service”.

Should I file for bankruptcy just to get DRS?

Do not make that decision based on an online guide. Bankruptcy proceedings have serious legal and financial consequences, and referral to DRS is not guaranteed. Seek independent legal advice about alternatives and the implications of your own case.

What if I Receive a Letter of Demand?

Read the whole letter and identify the sender, amount claimed, legal basis, deadline and what action is being requested. Keep it with relevant account statements and correspondence.

Do not ignore a formal demand because you have contacted CCS or started negotiating with another lender. Creditors may have separate rights and time limits. If you receive a court document, seek qualified legal advice promptly.

For information about free first consultations and formal civil legal aid, read Getting Help in Singapore | Free Legal Advice, Legal Aid and Lawyers. Legal advice and credit counselling solve different parts of the problem.

What if a Debt Collector Is Contacting Me Repeatedly?

Confirm the identity and authority of the person contacting you. Do not disclose passwords, one-time passcodes or personal banking access because a caller claims to be collecting debt.

Ask for an itemised statement and verify the creditor through an independent official number. Document the date, contact channel and any threat or disputed claim. You may seek appropriate legal guidance if you believe the conduct is unlawful.

Remain contactable for genuine creditor discussions, but do not agree to an unaffordable plan or an unverified transfer simply because the conversation feels intimidating.

What if My Family Cannot Afford Essentials?

A debt plan cannot be sustained if the household lacks basic food, utilities or necessary housing. If income has fallen or essential expenses are unmanageable, explore MSF’s ComCare financial assistance through a Social Service Office.

ComCare is not a mechanism that automatically pays off credit-card debt. It can assess basic living needs under its rules. Be candid about the household financial situation and any obligations.

For the ComCare process, see Getting Help in Singapore | Financial Assistance and ComCare Applications. For immediate utility bill problems, see Getting Help in Singapore | Electricity and Water Bills, U-Save and Utilities Assistance.

Protect Yourself From Debt Relief Scams

Be sceptical of services that promise to clear every loan for an upfront fee, guarantee admission to a government scheme, or ask for credentials to “transfer debt relief money”.

Use official CCS, Ministry of Law, Judiciary and bank websites. Legitimate advisers should explain the scope of assistance, costs, limitations and consequences.

If someone has stolen banking details or money, contact your bank immediately and follow Getting Help in Singapore | Report a Scam and Protect Your Money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get debt counselling in Singapore?

Start with Credit Counselling Singapore. It offers consumer debt information talks and an appointment route for personalised counselling.

What is the CCS hotline?

CCS publishes 6225 5227, with weekday hours of 9am–6pm, excluding holidays. Check the official website for updates.

Is the CCS Debt Management Programme guaranteed?

No. Suitability is assessed and repayment proposals are subject to creditor approval.

Is a Debt Consolidation Plan the same as DMP?

No. DCP is an eligible lender-provided consolidation product; DMP is a counselling-facilitated repayment arrangement.

Can I directly apply for DRS?

No. The Official Assignee says DRS is considered only after a bankruptcy application is made and the High Court potentially refers the debtor.

Does having debt below S$150,000 guarantee DRS?

No. That is one relevant threshold for potential Court referral, not proof of eligibility or suitability.

Will counselling make debt collectors stop calling?

Not automatically. Obligations, collection activity and contractual rights do not disappear simply because an appointment is booked. Ask creditors what changes, if any, have been formally agreed.

Can I seek help before missing a payment?

Yes. Early communication and a realistic budget may allow more options than waiting for repeated arrears and legal action.

Your Next Useful Action

Make a complete debt list, protect essential living expenses and contact creditors through verified channels. Then register for a Credit Counselling Singapore debt-information talk to understand the options and arrange a counselling appointment if suitable.

The first success is not a promise that the debt vanishes. It is gaining a reliable understanding of what you owe, what you can realistically repay, and which route fits your situation.

Official Sources and Further Reading

Information verified on 4 November 2026. This independently written guide is general information, not individual legal or financial advice. Contact a qualified adviser about obligations, court deadlines, scheme eligibility and repayment consequences.

Getting Help in Singapore | Debt Problems, Credit Counselling and Repayment Options