Up to the end of June this year, almost 10,900 people had applied throughout the country, an increase of about 15 percent compared to the same period last year.

In Dalarna, 339 applications have been received in the first half of 2019, most applications have been in Borlänge and Falu municipality. The smallest number stands for Gagnef municipality.

The increase is due to a change in the law

A law change in November 2016 has resulted in a significant increase in the number of people applying for debt relief.

The reasons why people have financial problems include divorce, unemployment and illness. But in recent years, debts linked to games have also been included in the applications.

- A large proportion of the people we meet live with very small margins. Some have lost the spark of life, others are ashamed of their situation. For these people, debt restructuring can be a crucial turn, a chance to return to a life where the economy does not always play the leading role, says Per-Olof Lindh.