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Helping_Hands
Posts: 20 Forumite
2 adults in household.
Currently both in separate DMP's with a company who is charging a fee.
Trying to re-calculate monthly income & expenditure for one adult whose debts are £10,000 as DMP company are asking for up to date figures.
Figures provided may seem extreme / high due to current personal issues and additional expenses being incurred at present.
No outstanding mortgage etc.
Would appreciate anyone who could look over this. I am not sure if there are fixed figures for certain things etc.
Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 680.08 [ESA]
Other income............................ 420.4 [DLA]
Total monthly income.................... 1100.48
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 107 [AWAITING DECISION ON CT SUPPORT]
Electricity............................. 89
Gas..................................... 20
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 24
Telephone (land line)................... 25 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Mobile phone............................ 10
TV Licence.............................. 6.06
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 25 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Internet Services....................... 0 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Groceries etc. ......................... 500 [CURRENTLY HIGH FOR VARYING REASONS]
Clothing................................ 50
Petrol/diesel........................... 20 [PAID TO A FRIEND]
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 120
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 100 [MEDICAL SUPPLIES]
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 56 [INCLUDES CONTENTS]
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 26 [GAS SERVICE CHARGE]
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 12.5
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 50
(Unnamed monthly expense)............... 0
IRONING SERVICE......................... 50 [NEEDED DUE TO DISABILTIES]
CLEANER................................. 50 [NEEDED DUE TO DISABILTIES]
Total monthly expenses.................. 1340.56
Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0
No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Total unsecured debts..........0.........0.........-
Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,100.48
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,340.56
Available for debt repayments........... -240.08
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount short for making debt repayments. -240.08
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -0
Net Assets.............................. 0
Created using the SOA calculator at
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.
Currently both in separate DMP's with a company who is charging a fee.
Trying to re-calculate monthly income & expenditure for one adult whose debts are £10,000 as DMP company are asking for up to date figures.
Figures provided may seem extreme / high due to current personal issues and additional expenses being incurred at present.
No outstanding mortgage etc.
Would appreciate anyone who could look over this. I am not sure if there are fixed figures for certain things etc.
Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 680.08 [ESA]
Other income............................ 420.4 [DLA]
Total monthly income.................... 1100.48
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 107 [AWAITING DECISION ON CT SUPPORT]
Electricity............................. 89
Gas..................................... 20
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 24
Telephone (land line)................... 25 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Mobile phone............................ 10
TV Licence.............................. 6.06
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 25 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Internet Services....................... 0 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Groceries etc. ......................... 500 [CURRENTLY HIGH FOR VARYING REASONS]
Clothing................................ 50
Petrol/diesel........................... 20 [PAID TO A FRIEND]
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 120
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 100 [MEDICAL SUPPLIES]
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 56 [INCLUDES CONTENTS]
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 26 [GAS SERVICE CHARGE]
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 12.5
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 50
(Unnamed monthly expense)............... 0
IRONING SERVICE......................... 50 [NEEDED DUE TO DISABILTIES]
CLEANER................................. 50 [NEEDED DUE TO DISABILTIES]
Total monthly expenses.................. 1340.56
Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0
No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Total unsecured debts..........0.........0.........-
Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,100.48
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,340.56
Available for debt repayments........... -240.08
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount short for making debt repayments. -240.08
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -0
Net Assets.............................. 0
Created using the SOA calculator at
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.
0
Comments
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It's hard to comment on certain things without some explanations but here's a few things:Helping_Hands wrote: »2 adults in household.
Currently both in separate DMP's with a company who is charging a fee. Can you switch to a non-fee paying one? Stepchange?
Trying to re-calculate monthly income & expenditure for one adult whose debts are £10,000 as DMP company are asking for up to date figures.
Figures provided may seem extreme / high due to current personal issues and additional expenses being incurred at present.
No outstanding mortgage etc.
Would appreciate anyone who could look over this. I am not sure if there are fixed figures for certain things etc.
Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 680.08 [ESA]
Other income............................ 420.4 [DLA]
Total monthly income.................... 1100.48
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 107 [AWAITING DECISION ON CT SUPPORT]
Electricity............................. 89 Is this each, or divided between the two of you? Seems like an awfully high amount if it's only half the bill?
Gas..................................... 20
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 24
Telephone (land line)................... 25 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Mobile phone............................ 10
TV Licence.............................. 6.06
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 25 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT] You're spending £50 on TV, internet and landline. Do you need landline? Can you cut this service and just get a cheap internet service? Could save you £20-£30 a month.
Internet Services....................... 0 [PACKAGE DEAL VM IN CONTRACT]
Groceries etc. ......................... 500 [CURRENTLY HIGH FOR VARYING REASONS] Just for one person? I know you say it's high for varying reasons but this is your biggest expenditure and it's hard to comment without knowing why it's so high.
Clothing................................ 50 £50 a month is an awful lot on clothes. I'm a fashion-conscious 23 y/o and I don't spend £50 a month on clothes. Can you cut down on this? Charity shop?
Petrol/diesel........................... 20 [PAID TO A FRIEND]
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 120
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 100 [MEDICAL SUPPLIES] If this is prescription medicine can you get a prescription card? My mum has one and as far as I recall it's about £150 for the whole year.
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 56 [INCLUDES CONTENTS]
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 26 [GAS SERVICE CHARGE]
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 12.5
Entertainment........................... 0 No entertainment whatsoever?
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 50
(Unnamed monthly expense)............... 0
IRONING SERVICE......................... 50 [NEEDED DUE TO DISABILTIES]
CLEANER................................. 50 [NEEDED DUE TO DISABILTIES]
Total monthly expenses.................. 1340.56
Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0
No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Total unsecured debts..........0.........0.........-
Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,100.48
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,340.56
Available for debt repayments........... -240.08
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount short for making debt repayments. -240.08
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -0
Net Assets.............................. 0
Created using the SOA calculator at
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.Debt Totals July 2019::
[STRIKE]£350 Natwest Credit Card [/STRIKE]/ ]Now £0 (paid off and closed 04/2017) £15,500 postgrad loan from parents/ Now £7,000 £5,000 sister loan/ Now £0[STRIKE]£500 train ticket loan from parents [/STRIKE]/ Now £0 (paid off 16/02/18)[STRIKE]£2,000 Overdraft[/STRIKE] Now £0 (paid off 09/03/18) £1,967.83 Barclays 0% card Now £0 Total £7,0000 -
Hi Helping Hands,
I would echo Silver Queen's suggestion to switch to a reputable free DMP agency - and that way all your payment will go to paying off your DMP (as opposed to some money being taken in fees by the current provider).
Are you getting all you're entitled to benefits wise - ask Citizens Advice to check -
You've got £120 under other travel - if the person who travels is the person in receipt of DLA, have you looked into getting a disabled person's bus pass, for free bus travel I think, or a disabled person's railcard for a 30% discount?
Electricity costs are v high- have you spoken to the elec supplier about your financial difficulties -as you are on a low income and someone in the household is disabled they should have support schemes to help you. Also check if you are with the cheapest supplier & tarrif - you could use MSE cheap energy club to help with this...
Medical supplies - if you give more info it may be that there are schemes to help if these supplies are essential
Your home insurance is high - use a price comparison site eg confused.com, moneysupermarket etc to get a better deal
Groceries are high as you say...
Some ideas there, if you give further detail it may be possible for people to give further specific suggestions
Good luck0 -
Hi Helping Hands
Welcome to MSE. The main issue here is that the outgoings are more than the income, suggesting that a DMP is not affordable without some changes to the SOA.
The overall housekeeping figure (including groceries and clothing) may be seen as a little on the high side but sometimes there may be grounds to justify this, for example if someone has a special diet due to an illness. You have said there are some personal circumstances affecting the figures and to get more advice on whether these would be seen as reasonable I’d recommend talking to one of the free debt advice charities.
If it is possible to amend the figures in order to continue with a DMP it is very important to change to a free provider. If it’s not possible to change the figures then other debt options will need to be explored. This might be to change to self negotiating token payments if there is very little spare money for the debts. The free debt advice agencies can give you full advice on the available options.
Susie
@natdebtlineWe work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps0 -
Thanks you Silver Queen and Profligate for your replies.
I am ok on benefits and they are both currently getting their entitlement. Just submitted new claim for Council Tax Support so that should wipe out £100 a month when awarded.
I didn't really go into things, despite 2 adult household, one is terminally ill and has little time left. I am currently helping both with varying things.
Transferring varying things over to the surviving spouse. Everything in the SOA is as though it is a single person living alone, bar the current household expenses of £500.
The VM package is £50, this is currently in the name of the person ill, so not joint names. As the surviving spouse has no need for either TV or internet we will be cancelling this when possible. They will still need a landline, but will switch them to another provider much cheaper.
Electric Bill is £89 per month for DD, it has just increased by £25 because of the extra electricity currently in use (hospital bed, oxygen etc.) They are on a standard tariff and it is my intention to switch them to a better deal asap. Supplier is aware of current issues and they are on the priority register.
£500 for household is currently high and to cover the current 2 people. The additional costs at the moment are for pre-prepared meals to be delivered weekly for the ill person and also the surviving spouse who has varying difficulties so cannot meal prep or even go shopping at the moment. There are also additional cleaning costs at present with bedding changes, pj's, underwear etc. This will reduce dramatically with a one person household, although likely they will continue to have meals delivered to make it easier on them.
£100 medical is to cover current costs for incontinence pads for the surviving spouse. New problem is waiting to see someone at hospital but has had to cancel several appointments in the past few months because she's caring 24/7 for husband.
£120 travel is an approx. monthly figure. Recently over £500 has been spent on taxi visiting to and from hospital £80 return journeys. She does get some discount towards taxi vouchers instead of bus pass, person in question is not capable of using buses / public transport.
House Insurance, I thought this was high, might be because of previous claim 2 years ago. Again, will look into getting this cheaper when it is up for renewal.
What would be reasonable for entertainment. At present they do not go out, but previously 'we' use to meet for a coffee, have a trip to cinema etc.
Surviving spouse is registered blind and has other neurological disabilities.0 -
The home and contents insurance looks high, and if it can be got cheaper is the sort of thing that doesn't impact on quality of life.
£50 for an ironing service? Do these things really need ironing? My iron gets used only about once a year.But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,Had the whole of their cash in his care.
Lewis Carroll0 -
Hi again Helpling Hands
I wrote a long post earlier but managed to lose it, so I'm going to attempt to write it again, but probably more quickly,and to the point, but hopefully not too abruptly. Some of your post is still a little confusing to me, so apologies in advance if I mix something up or misunderstand relationships.
Firstly, I'm sorry to hear one of the couple you are helping has a terminal illness - I have some experience of this and know it can be very difficult for everyone involved.
Re incontinence pads costs - if your friend/family member is on means tested benefits as they appear to be, are they not entitled to financial help with these costs? I would speak with the continence nurse.
Re the benefit & debt issues - apologies as I know you said you are 'ok on benefits' but I do think some professional help from CA on benefits & debt advice would be useful. Sorry if you;'ve already had this - it doesn't sound like you have though.
The reason i say this is that the couple's situations seem quite complex - they are both ill and/ or disabled, and one cares for the other '24/7' and they are vulnerable due to their financial situation and their health - I wonder are they getting the correct disability and or carer's premiums for eg?
I assume both are getting disability benefits -dla/ PIP/AA (are they both living at home, together?).
Is there any input from care agencies via adult social care and/or NHS continuing care?
Debt advice from CA or another reputable free agency could help the couple explore better debt options - as a fee paying DMP is not ideal. If the couple own their own home, debt options such as a debt relief order or bankruptcy may not be suitable, but a debt adviser may be able to help them access trust funds to help them pay off some debt (from an energy co for eg.) or get the debt written off perhaps (especially the debt of the terminally ill partner). This could release a great burden.
Hospital transport - I assume this is for hospital appts-could you speak to the hospital about free patient transport services?
I think finding some money for a trip out for a coffee or whatever now and then, is important for everyone-but particularly for this couple given the health prognosis. Again, a reputable Debt Adviser could help them look at reasonable figures for this.
Ok, that's enough for now, hope some of this is useful
All the best to you all0 -
theoretica wrote: »The home and contents insurance looks high, and if it can be got cheaper is the sort of thing that doesn't impact on quality of life.
£50 for an ironing service? Do these things really need ironing? My iron gets used only about once a year.
I don't think that is high for their home insurance, a 2 bed terrace. I've just paid £52 cheapest quote for a 1-bed flat using comparison sites - the town we live in has a high crime rate!
Yes, clothes need ironing. Due to nature of disabilities she cannot safety use iron on her own.0 -
National_Debtline wrote: »Hi Helping Hands
Welcome to MSE. The main issue here is that the outgoings are more than the income, suggesting that a DMP is not affordable without some changes to the SOA.
The overall housekeeping figure (including groceries and clothing) may be seen as a little on the high side but sometimes there may be grounds to justify this, for example if someone has a special diet due to an illness. You have said there are some personal circumstances affecting the figures and to get more advice on whether these would be seen as reasonable I’d recommend talking to one of the free debt advice charities.
If it is possible to amend the figures in order to continue with a DMP it is very important to change to a free provider. If it’s not possible to change the figures then other debt options will need to be explored. This might be to change to self negotiating token payments if there is very little spare money for the debts. The free debt advice agencies can give you full advice on the available options.
Susie
@natdebtline
Thanks for your advice. I am going to telephone StepChange this week. I need however to cancel the current DMP with another company. Do you know if there will be any problems with creditors if I do that.
Person is under a lot of stress at the moment and I really need to keep it as straight forward and easy as possible for her.0 -
Profligate wrote: »Hi again Helpling Hands
I wrote a long post earlier but managed to lose it, so I'm going to attempt to write it again, but probably more quickly,and to the point, but hopefully not too abruptly. Some of your post is still a little confusing to me, so apologies in advance if I mix something up or misunderstand relationships.
Firstly, I'm sorry to hear one of the couple you are helping has a terminal illness - I have some experience of this and know it can be very difficult for everyone involved.
Re incontinence pads costs - if your friend/family member is on means tested benefits as they appear to be, are they not entitled to financial help with these costs? I would speak with the continence nurse.
Re the benefit & debt issues - apologies as I know you said you are 'ok on benefits' but I do think some professional help from CA on benefits & debt advice would be useful. Sorry if you;'ve already had this - it doesn't sound like you have though.
The reason i say this is that the couple's situations seem quite complex - they are both ill and/ or disabled, and one cares for the other '24/7' and they are vulnerable due to their financial situation and their health - I wonder are they getting the correct disability and or carer's premiums for eg?
I assume both are getting disability benefits -dla/ PIP/AA (are they both living at home, together?).
Is there any input from care agencies via adult social care and/or NHS continuing care?
Debt advice from CA or another reputable free agency could help the couple explore better debt options - as a fee paying DMP is not ideal. If the couple own their own home, debt options such as a debt relief order or bankruptcy may not be suitable, but a debt adviser may be able to help them access trust funds to help them pay off some debt (from an energy co for eg.) or get the debt written off perhaps (especially the debt of the terminally ill partner). This could release a great burden.
Hospital transport - I assume this is for hospital appts-could you speak to the hospital about free patient transport services?
I think finding some money for a trip out for a coffee or whatever now and then, is important for everyone-but particularly for this couple given the health prognosis. Again, a reputable Debt Adviser could help them look at reasonable figures for this.
Ok, that's enough for now, hope some of this is useful
All the best to you all
Thank you for your reply.
Regarding the incontinence pads costs, currently they are awaiting a diagnosis, have not been able to attend scheduled appointments that have been made due to other commitments, so until under a team officially needs to continue buying things themselves.
As for benefits, they are getting all correct ones, including a carers premium added to her ESA, his has stopped as he is no longer able to care for her. I use to do some voluntary work and was trained within benefits and helping people with claims etc. He is currently on DLA MRC / HRM and we are awaiting results of PIP, claim made 3 weeks ago under terminal illness rules. She is on DLA HRC / LRM.
He is under NHS continuing care at home, carers are coming via the local council 4 times a day, but to be honest 10 minutes each visit gives them little time to do much! She won't really entertain social services and additional help, but eventually she will have to accept some help from them, especially when her husband dies. Marie Curie are providing a sitter a few nights a week, so she can get some sleep while someone watches over him.
There home is worth much less than market value as it needs a lot of work, no working central heating or hot water - these are things I only learned in recent weeks, the old boiler was deemed unsafe several years ago. They could have got a free boiler through one of the many schemes on offer if only they had applied. Again this is something I intend to do at a later date, but it is not the right time now. I am worried about her staying in her home after her husband dies, I personally do not think it is safe for her to do so, but we'll cross that bridge when the time comes.
I am presuming his debts will die with him, £20,000 worth the only asset is their home, which I assume will pass over to her automatically.
I am going to approach StepChange this week. Ideally a debt advisor to her home would be good as she cannot go out unless someone can look after her husband. She's given me permission to deal with things for her0 -
If the oxygen and bed are supplied by the hospital then you should get a cheque for the excess electricity they use.
My mum is on oxygen and every 6 months a person from BOC comes to check the oxygen machine and take the power used readings from it, then about a week later, she gets a payment to cover the running costs.
Get the person with the incontinence pads to ask their gp to do them a prescription for them.Never Knowingly Understood.
Member #1 of £1,000 challenge - £13.74/ £1000 (that's 1.374%)
3-6 month EF £0/£3600 (that's 0 days worth)0
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