A debt management plan (DMP) is usually free through a charity, such as StepChange or PayPlan, so your payments go towards your debts rather than provider fees. Commercial providers may charge an arrangement fee and ongoing management fees, often taken from each monthly payment, which can reduce how quickly your balances fall. Ask for a full written breakdown, including setup, monthly and cancellation charges, before signing, and check that any paid provider is FCA authorised. A DMP is not legally binding, and free debt advice is also available through MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice.