IVA Payment Break: Can You Pause IVA Payments?

Can I Take a Payment Break From My IVA?

Often, yes. Many IVAs allow a short payment break if your income drops for reasons outside your control. You need to ask first.

Last updated: November 2026

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Things to know about IVAs

An IVA is a formal insolvency procedure. It must be approved by your creditors, stays on your credit file for six years, fees are taken from your payments, and debts are only written off if you complete it. It isn’t right for everyone.

Read the key risks

Creditors must approve it. An IVA only goes ahead if creditors holding at least 75% of the debt that is voted agree. Your proposal can be rejected.
Credit file and public register. An IVA stays on your credit file for six years from the start date and is listed on the public Individual Insolvency Register while it runs. Getting credit will be harder.
Spending restrictions and annual reviews. You live on an agreed budget for the length of the IVA (usually 5–6 years). Your income and spending are reviewed each year, and your payment can go up.
Fees. Fees are taken from your monthly payments, so less of what you pay reaches your creditors. How IVA fees work.
Your home. Under the current IVA Protocol, your home isn’t included in the IVA and you won’t be asked to remortgage. If your share of the equity is £10,000 or more, the IVA usually lasts six years instead of five.
If it fails. If you can’t keep up payments the IVA may fail, you would owe the remaining debt again, and the supervisor may petition for your bankruptcy.
Write-off only on completion. Remaining qualifying unsecured debts are only written off if the IVA is completed successfully. Secured debts, court fines, child maintenance, student loans and some other debts can’t be included.
Other options may suit you better. A debt management plan, DRO or bankruptcy may be more suitable. IVAs are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland only; different solutions apply in Scotland.

Life doesn’t stand still for five or six years. If you have a temporary drop in income, many IVAs allow a short pause in payments, sometimes called a payment break or payment holiday.

The short answer

Many IVAs allow a short payment break for unexpected drops in income.
Common reasons: illness, maternity or paternity leave, redundancy, or reduced hours.
You must ask your insolvency practitioner first. Don’t just stop paying.
Missed payments are often made up by extending the IVA.
Longer problems may need a formal variation.

When can I take a payment break?

Your IVA terms set out whether a break is allowed and for how long. Breaks are usually granted for genuine, temporary changes such as sickness, a new baby, a reduction in working hours or losing your job. Your insolvency practitioner will want evidence, such as a letter from your employer or a fit note.

What happens to the missed months?

Usually, the IVA is extended so that the missed payments are made up at the end. In some cases, creditors may agree to treat them differently. Ask your insolvency practitioner how your break will be handled.

What if I just stop paying?

Missing payments without agreement is one of the main reasons IVAs fail. If you fall behind by a set amount, often around three months’ payments, the supervisor may issue a breach notice. Read what happens if I can’t pay my IVA.

What if my income won't recover?

If the drop in income is likely to be permanent, a payment break isn’t the answer. Your insolvency practitioner can propose a variation to reduce your payments for the rest of the IVA.

Common questions

How long can an IVA payment break last?

It depends on your IVA terms and your situation. Breaks of a few months are common. Ask your insolvency practitioner what’s possible.

Can I pause my IVA for maternity leave?

Often yes. Maternity leave is a common reason for a payment break or a temporary reduction. Tell your insolvency practitioner before your pay changes.

Will a payment break make my IVA longer?

Usually, yes. Missed months are commonly added to the end of the IVA.

How IVA Advice Online can help

Every situation is different, and an IVA isn’t right for everyone. We can look at your income, spending and debts with you and set out the debt solutions you could qualify for, including options other than an IVA. To talk it through, get in touch.