2026-06-05
What is surplus income, and how does surplus income affect me during a Bankruptcy?
Do you understand the role surplus income plays during a Bankruptcy? Learn more about what surplus income is and how it can impact the Bankruptcy process.
2010-02-18
Author: Bradley Milne
Hello,
Any credit cards, including those with zero balances, should be given to the Trustee at the time you are filing for bankruptcy.
Generally speaking, obtaining further credit while in bankruptcy is discouraged. However, the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act does state that if you are borrowing funds greater than $1,000 you must disclose to the lender that you are in bankruptcy. So you can see that you are not prohibited from getting credit, however, in my view (and that of the Registrar in our jurisdiction), obtaining further credit is not encouraged.
As an alternative, some people obtain a secured credit card where you put down a deposit and have use of the card up to that amount.
2026-06-05
Do you understand the role surplus income plays during a Bankruptcy? Learn more about what surplus income is and how it can impact the Bankruptcy process.