Minimal assets process (MAP)

The minimal asset process (MAP) is a way of applying for bankruptcy which is aimed at people on a low income with very few or no assets. It’s a means of writing off debt that you would struggle to repay within a reasonable time.

The MAP bankruptcy is not available if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. In these countries, a debt relief order (DRO) is a similar solution, but it’s important to note that it has different benefits, risks and fees associated with it.

Can I apply for MAP?

To apply for MAP bankruptcy you must meet the following conditions:

• You must live in Scotland, or have lived in Scotland in the last 12 months
• Your debts are more than £1,500 but less than £17,000
• Your car is worth £3,000 or less
• Your other assets are worth less than £2,000 in total, with no single item worth more than £1,000
• You’re not a homeowner
• You haven’t gone through sequestration, which is bankruptcy in Scotland, in the last five years

When it comes to your income, there are two ways you can qualify:

• Your income is made up solely of income-related benefits such as jobseekers allowance (JSA)
• There’s no money left over from your total earned income once all your essential living costs are paid