Why is my PDA statement not enough for a debt review clearance certificate?

A PDA statement is very important, but it is not enough on its own for a debt review clearance certificate.

The PDA statement shows payments that went through the Payment Distribution Agency. It helps DCGsa see what payments were collected, how the funds were distributed, and which credit providers received payments during the debt review process.

However, a PDA statement does not replace a paid-up letter from a credit provider.

A PDA statement may show that an account looks paid up, nearly paid up, or even at a zero balance. However, DCGsa must still confirm that the credit provider accepts the account as settled.

This is why DCGsa needs paid-up letters or final written confirmation from the credit providers before issuing a Form 19 clearance certificate.

A simple way to understand it is this:

The PDA statement shows the payment history.

The paid-up letter confirms the settlement of the account.

These two documents do different things.

The PDA may calculate balances based on the debt review payment plan, payment distributions, proposal information, or available system data. The credit provider’s own system may show a different final balance because of interest, payment allocation dates, fees, insurance, missed payments, short payments, or system updates.

This difference is often called an end balance difference.

An end balance difference does not always mean someone made a mistake. It also does not always mean that a new debt appeared. It normally means DCGsa must reconcile the final position before the credit provider can confirm the account as paid up.

DCGsa also needs to check that the paid-up letter matches the correct debt review account. Sometimes account numbers change when accounts are handed over, moved to legal departments, converted into recovery accounts, or linked to new internal reference numbers.

If DCGsa relies only on the PDA statement and later a credit provider disputes the account, the consumer may experience delays, credit bureau problems, or future balance disputes.

For this reason, DCGsa must use the PDA statement as part of the checking process, but not as the only proof of clearance.

In simple terms: your PDA statement shows that payments were made, but your paid-up letter confirms that the credit provider accepts the account as settled. DCGsa needs both the payment history and the final credit provider confirmation before issuing your debt review clearance certificate.