Specialist Debt Advice Service (SDAS) 2026 - 2028
This grant provides secondary-tier service which supports Debt Advice service providers with complex cases, specialising in legal and regulatory advice that is typically beyond the expertise of debt advisers.
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midday)
Contents
Summary
The Specialist Debt Advice Service (SDAS) is a secondary-tier service which supports Debt Advice service providers with complex cases, specialising in legal and regulatory advice that is typically beyond the expertise of debt advisers. SDAS is currently used by both MaPS-funded and non-MaPS funded agencies, Local Authorities and Housing Associations. MaPS invites proposals to deliver a multi-channel secondary support advice, legal and legal updates and publications, and ongoing continuous improvement to improving accessibility, efficiency, and client experience.
The initial two year term for the Specialist Debt Advice Service (SDAS) between 1 April 2026 to 31st March 2028 has a funding envelope of £1,648,320 for service delivery. There is an additional amount of up to £150,000 in year 1; this includes a maximum of £50,000 for mobilisation and a ring-fenced amount of up to £100,000 for TUPE liability costs. This will bring the total grant value for the initial 2 year term to £1,798,320. There is also the potential for up to 2 further years with a funding envelope of £1,714,912 (between 2028 and 2030) which will be confirmed in due course. This will bring the total funding envelope to £3,513,232 for the provision of the Specialist Debt Advice Service (SDAS) over a maximum 4 year term
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the fund, applying organisations must:
Be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide debt counselling and adjusting services
Have extensive experience of providing free-to-client debt advice services
Not submit a proposal that is already being funded, to avoid duplicate funding
Demonstrate sound financial status and will be required to meet the Economic and Financial Standing Threshold with a turnover equal to or greater than 1.5 x the annual grant value
Be located in and provide free debt advice services in England
Provide free to client debt advice services
Hold Cyber Essential Plus certification or ISO27001
Comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR and any subsequent legislation
Hold adequate insurance coverage to operate (Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = £5 million, Public Liability Insurance = £5 million and Professional Indemnity Insurance = £1 million)
Please refer to the Application Pack on Atamis for further information on eligibility criteria.
Objectives
The key objectives of the grant fund are to:
Enhance operational efficiency by offering targeted support to debt advice suppliers: Being a second-tier service SDAS provides an offer to support debt advice suppliers with their complex queries where they can’t help themselves or need a consultation for assurance on debt advice strategies and solutions.
Provide an Information hub for partners and stakeholders to access and use key evidence, tools and resources: The SDAS service will host a suite of legislative interpretation, guidance, tools and will publish articles in sector periodicals for debt advice suppliers to access and learn from
Dates
Deadline for clarification questions: 4 September 16:00
Deadline for MaPS to respond to clarification questions: 11 September
Deadline for Grant Application submission: 18 September 12:00 (midday)
Commencement of Assessment Process: 23 September
Governance and approvals: 23 October
Grant Applicants Notification: 17 November
Proposed Grants Award Date: 27 November
Mobilisation to commence: 1 December 2025
Grant commences / delivery go live: 1 April 2026
How to apply
Organisations will need to apply online via: Atamis located at: MaPS e-sourcing portal located at: the following link (https://atamis-maps.my.site.com/s/Welcome
Project reference is C1229.
Only one application per organisation can be made