How will a debtor be eligible and suitable for the Debt Repayment Scheme ("DRS")?
The debtor has to satisfy the following eligibility criteria:
a. Total liabilities do not exceed $150,000;
b. Gainfully employed and earning a regular income;
c. Not been a bankrupt or been on the DRS in the last 5 years;
d. Not been subject to a court-based arrangement in the last 5 years; and
e. Not a sole-proprietor or partner and/or should not be a director in any firm.
If the debtor meets the eligibility criteria, the Official Assignee ("OA") will then assess his suitability for the DRS based on the submission of relevant forms and supporting documents.
The OA will inform the outcome of the assessment to the Court, the debtor and the applicant-creditor before the end of the adjournment period.
The debtor will be deemed ineligible for the DRS if he fails to meet any of the criteria stated above and the OA will not assess the case further.