Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisor a question

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  • StepChange_Pavan
    StepChange_Pavan Posts: 1,354 Forumite
    Hi,

    I have been on a dmp since 2005 and originally i started the plan with my now ex wife. I am now in much stronger posistion to sort of my debts and credit file as i have a new job with a much bigger salary and i want to get a mortgage as soon as possible.

    I have spoken to cccs and they have said i need to split the current plan i am on and i would need to speak to an advisor about setting up a new plan on my own, my query is that i don't think i would now qualify for a dmp... i am in a posistion where i can afford to pay more towards my debts and i would ideally like to manage them myself but i am worried about how i could achieve this? Is it possible to set up direct debits with my creditors direct? if i upped the payments would this mean 'defaulting' on my current payments as i want to clean up my file which only has 3 defaults left due to the 6 year period being up.

    Any help on how i could go about this would be greatly appreciated.

    Rob

    Hi Rob and thank you for your post.

    We’ve already answered your question on our bankruptcy forum.

    Like Mat has mentioned, it’s best that you give us a call so that we can work out what is best for you based on your information. We will also be able to advise you on how best to go forward if you chose to administrate your plan yourself.

    Kind regards,
    Pavan
    I work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS) and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • michelle45_2
    michelle45_2 Posts: 267 Forumite
    Hi
    Last year my income was reduced by aprox 700.00 per month which led me taking out pay day loans. it is now come to ahead where I cannot pay these anymore plus my other debts. This month Ive not paid anything to anybody (just need a breather).

    My question is how should I proceed. I've worked out my outgoings etc and once the payday loans are paid off, I have enough now (as I have now got a decent salary) to pay off my other credit cards etc without struggling so I dont think I need a DMP. Its just Im paying out aprox 800.00 per month in interest on these loans and not able to pay any off the capital, so each month I have to roll them over.

    This money Im paying in interest could pay off my other debts. Any suggestions pleeeese, cos Ive no idea what I can do.

    Michelle
  • pulse90
    pulse90 Posts: 18 Forumite
    Hi, I have had advice with the CCCS re my debts from various creditors through being off work due to a car accident last year. since then I have reached retirement age and now receive a pension, I fought for pension credit too for 7 months, which I have only just received a backdated payment from them. Due to living on the poverty line and trying to pay my monthly agreements, I have found it hard to manage. I have been bullied by the said companies, suffered from terrible depression and feel like giving up!!!!! To top it all, I have just found out that Barclaycard have taken ALL my backdated money without my consent, out of my account, now I do not have a penny to my name and do not know what to do!! I have NO MONEY to live on and none left to pay anyone else.
    I have been advised that they are NOT allowed to take benefit money, is this correct? I was already paying them a monthly repayment through a DCA, even the DCA have said they need to look into it as they also do not understand how or why the bank has done this, when they were collecting the money on the Banks behalf???
    I have tried to call the bank, but they have basically told me to sling my hook!!!!!

    Have just rang the DWP and they said that the bank can just take the money (( What do I do now, as I am getting very confused as to where I actually stand.
  • Hi, I'm new to this and looking for some advice.

    I split from my ex wife approx 5 years ago and ended up with various debts from trying to stay afloat as ex wife didn't work at all. I thought could sort them and so many years down the line in same situation and now need to sort things out once and for all as have a baby daughter with new partner and have no spare money end of each month as all goes on Payday loans from trying to stay afloat to pay rent although currently now couple months behind on that and been told could lose house unless something sorted out.I guess my debts are approx £25k in total and dont know best thing to do. If everything sorted out to one monthly payment guess could pay approx £250 - £300 a month. Also get so many calls from companies offering debt management plans but heard so many bad things about various companies, and also about consolidation loans.

    Just need to know what is best option and to not get hassle as father ill with cancer and dont need it and cant tell them anything as not suppose to get stressed etc.

    Any help be greatly appreciated

    Paul
  • tazladytaz
    tazladytaz Posts: 49 Forumite
    Hi,

    I have had a number of loans and a couple of credit cards and until this week I have had outgoings of around £1800 a month and incoming of around £2300-£2500. Due to circumstances my children have gone to live with their father and I have found myself on the sick, losing overtime, child benefit and CSA payments. My incoming has gone down to about £1600 and due to me having to pay CSA (which I have checked on their website) of about £400 a month. Therefore my incoming is going to be about £1600 and my out going will be about £2200. Two loans are due to be paid off by August which will free up £300 and another will be paid off in February 2012 freeing another £225.
    I have some small savings which may cover the next few months but then I will struggle.
    I have two problems, firstly the obvious of my outgoings being more than the incomings. The second is that the CSA payments will be worked out on my last few pay sllips which are large as I sold back some leave and was given overtime on several bank holidays at double time which is very rare. Overtime isn't guarenteed.
    What can I do? Is it better to try and do something now or wait until I am out of savings?
    As of this moment I haven't fallen behind on any payments.
  • tidydan24
    tidydan24 Posts: 38 Forumite
    Hi
    I started a nursing course in october 2007. I receved the standard nhs bursary for doing this course. In jan 08 my wife had our first son and suffered post natal depression. I found it hard to do my uni work, placements, work part time to top up my income and help my struggling wife, something had to give. I spoke to my tutor and said I needed to take some time out. He informed me that I may need to catch up on work or restart the year depending on the time i took out and that was that.
    I continued to recieve my bursary of around £800 for about 6 months. I assumed that this was standard practice as I hadnt left the course just taken time out and i had no reason to think otherwise as i had informed the university of my time out.
    as i said my bursary stopped and a few months later i decided not to return to uni as too long had passed and my priorities had changed.
    I informed my tutor by email.
    A few months ago i recieved a letter telling me that i owed about £5000 to nhs bursaries!!!!!
    I rang the debt company that had sent the letter and they said they couldnt really help so i rang the bursary people they told me to contact the univeristy to which i did and after many emails and phone calls to various people including the dean I have recieved no feed back.
    I am worried this is going to get out of hand and really feel that i was not in the wrong for taking this bursary as i was not told by anyone either by letter from bursary people or the university to do otherwise.
    Any advice people, do i have a case not to pay it back or am i screwed.

    my wife did not see the doctor for a formal diagnosis dispite me trying to get her to but as i have worked in mental health for 7 years i am 100% positive of her having PND.
  • StepChange_Pavan
    StepChange_Pavan Posts: 1,354 Forumite
    michelle45 wrote: »
    Hi
    Last year my income was reduced by aprox 700.00 per month which led me taking out pay day loans. it is now come to ahead where I cannot pay these anymore plus my other debts. This month Ive not paid anything to anybody (just need a breather).

    My question is how should I proceed. I've worked out my outgoings etc and once the payday loans are paid off, I have enough now (as I have now got a decent salary) to pay off my other credit cards etc without struggling so I dont think I need a DMP. Its just Im paying out aprox 800.00 per month in interest on these loans and not able to pay any off the capital, so each month I have to roll them over.

    This money Im paying in interest could pay off my other debts. Any suggestions pleeeese, cos Ive no idea what I can do.

    Michelle

    Hi Michelle and thanks for your post.

    If you think that you don’t need a DMP at this stage, you could consider writing to each of your creditors and asking for their consideration in stopping or reducing the interest. There’s no guarantee that they will do this, especially if you’re not in arrears but it is worth trying.

    If they don’t agree to this I’d recommend that you get in touch with us so that we can look at your situation in more detail and see whether or not a DMP would suit your circumstances.

    Firstly you would need to visit our online debt advice service Debt Remedy (http://www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu) to help you find a solution to your debt problem quickly.

    Debt Remedy will assist you in completing a financial statement with information on your household, employment, income, expenditure and debts. From this the service will automatically determine your options.

    To help you fill in the form, it’s best to gather together information about:
    • Your income
    • Your expenditure
    • The creditors you owe money to

    You’ll receive a downloadable advice booklet providing a tailored solution for you based on your current circumstances and advice on ways you may be able to improve your situation.

    If you’re not confident with computers or would like to speak to an advisor then you’re welcome to ring our free Helpline on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm.

    If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.

    You’ve taken the first step to sorting out your money worries and we can support you with free and impartial advice along the way.

    I hope this helps.

    Kind regards,
    Pavan
    I work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS) and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • StepChange_Pavan
    StepChange_Pavan Posts: 1,354 Forumite
    pulse90 wrote: »
    Hi, I have had advice with the CCCS re my debts from various creditors through being off work due to a car accident last year. since then I have reached retirement age and now receive a pension, I fought for pension credit too for 7 months, which I have only just received a backdated payment from them. Due to living on the poverty line and trying to pay my monthly agreements, I have found it hard to manage. I have been bullied by the said companies, suffered from terrible depression and feel like giving up!!!!! To top it all, I have just found out that Barclaycard have taken ALL my backdated money without my consent, out of my account, now I do not have a penny to my name and do not know what to do!! I have NO MONEY to live on and none left to pay anyone else.
    I have been advised that they are NOT allowed to take benefit money, is this correct? I was already paying them a monthly repayment through a DCA, even the DCA have said they need to look into it as they also do not understand how or why the bank has done this, when they were collecting the money on the Banks behalf???
    I have tried to call the bank, but they have basically told me to sling my hook!!!!!

    Have just rang the DWP and they said that the bank can just take the money (( What do I do now, as I am getting very confused as to where I actually stand.

    Hi pulse90 and thanks for your post.

    Are you banking with an account that’s linked to your Barclaycard? If so I’d really recommend that you go into a Barclays bank and ask to speak to someone to explain your situation. In these circumstances they should refund the money but you will need to put your case forward.

    Kind regards,
    Pavan
    I work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS) and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • StepChange_Pavan
    StepChange_Pavan Posts: 1,354 Forumite
    Hi, I'm new to this and looking for some advice.

    I split from my ex wife approx 5 years ago and ended up with various debts from trying to stay afloat as ex wife didn't work at all. I thought could sort them and so many years down the line in same situation and now need to sort things out once and for all as have a baby daughter with new partner and have no spare money end of each month as all goes on Payday loans from trying to stay afloat to pay rent although currently now couple months behind on that and been told could lose house unless something sorted out.I guess my debts are approx £25k in total and dont know best thing to do. If everything sorted out to one monthly payment guess could pay approx £250 - £300 a month. Also get so many calls from companies offering debt management plans but heard so many bad things about various companies, and also about consolidation loans.

    Just need to know what is best option and to not get hassle as father ill with cancer and dont need it and cant tell them anything as not suppose to get stressed etc.

    Any help be greatly appreciated

    Paul

    Hi Paul and welcome to the forum.

    Don’t worry - we can help you overcome your debt problems.

    The first thing to do is visit our online debt advice service Debt Remedy (http://www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu) to help you find a solution to your debt problem quickly.

    Debt Remedy will assist you in completing a financial statement with information on your household, employment, income, expenditure and debts. From this the service will automatically determine your options.

    To help you fill in the form, it’s best to gather together information about:
    • Your income
    • Your expenditure
    • The creditors you owe money to

    You’ll receive a downloadable advice booklet providing a tailored solution for you based on your current circumstances and advice on ways you may be able to improve your situation.

    If you’re not confident with computers or would like to speak to an advisor then you’re welcome to ring our free Helpline on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm.

    If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.

    You’ve taken the first step to sorting out your money worries and we can support you with free and impartial advice along the way.

    Kind regards,
    Pavan
    I work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS) and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • StepChange_Pavan
    StepChange_Pavan Posts: 1,354 Forumite
    tazladytaz wrote: »
    Hi,

    I have had a number of loans and a couple of credit cards and until this week I have had outgoings of around £1800 a month and incoming of around £2300-£2500. Due to circumstances my children have gone to live with their father and I have found myself on the sick, losing overtime, child benefit and CSA payments. My incoming has gone down to about £1600 and due to me having to pay CSA (which I have checked on their website) of about £400 a month. Therefore my incoming is going to be about £1600 and my out going will be about £2200. Two loans are due to be paid off by August which will free up £300 and another will be paid off in February 2012 freeing another £225.
    I have some small savings which may cover the next few months but then I will struggle.
    I have two problems, firstly the obvious of my outgoings being more than the incomings. The second is that the CSA payments will be worked out on my last few pay sllips which are large as I sold back some leave and was given overtime on several bank holidays at double time which is very rare. Overtime isn't guarenteed.
    What can I do? Is it better to try and do something now or wait until I am out of savings?
    As of this moment I haven't fallen behind on any payments.

    Hi tazladytaz and thank you for your post.

    Although you haven’t fallen behind yet, it’s good that you’ve taken control and considering your options now before the situation gets out of hand.

    I’d recommend that you get in touch so that we can look at your budget in more detail. You can call our free Helpline on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm.

    If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.

    Kind regards,
    Pavan
    I work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS) and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
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