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Ask a CCCS counsellor a question

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Comments

  • EmptyPockets
    EmptyPockets Posts: 1,905 Forumite
    CCCS_Sarah wrote: »
    Hello,

    We don’t let creditors know that you have moved, you would need to write to them all.

    Sorry :D

    Thought so :o - if you don't ask you never know though! LOL! ... Better get typing then............... hehe!

    Thank you.
    "Your life is what your thoughts make it"

    "If you can't bite, don't show your teeth!"
    :cry: R.i.P our beautiful girl Suki. We'll love and miss you forever :cry:
  • Primarni
    Primarni Posts: 304 Forumite
    CCCS_Sarah wrote: »
    Hello,

    As a general rule, consolidating is a bad idea as all it does is move your debt from one place to another and increase the overall interest you will pay.

    Are you struggling to meet your monthly payments?

    Yeah. My income from my job is largely commission and bonus based and that's just not happening right now. I have just moved back in with my parents in an effort to live on my basic. (They're not thrilled about it tbh, and neither am I, although I am grateful that it's an option.)
    I have been digging a big overdraft hole for myself the past six months trying to pay rent and loan and live on half my usual income.

    I just thought if I could get another loan on a longer term then I would have smaller monthly payments and things might get better in a year or two, but I take your point about paying more interest this way. I'd pay two lost wouldn't I? I hadn't thought of it like that.

    The payments wouldn't be all that much smaller anyway because the interest on the original loan was about 7% and I can't find anybody offering rates like than.

    And as I said I've been turned down 3 times now.

    I could sell my car, or ask if they'd take it back, but I've had it about a year now. Plus I need a car for work (I drive around to client sites) and I'm really loving not having to the stress and expense of car maintenance and MOT's etc.

    So is the basic advice to keep soldiering on, making the payments and work everything else around that?
  • CCCS_Sarah
    CCCS_Sarah Posts: 1,555 Organisation Representative
    I have been accepted as a student at uni and have the oppertunity to pay off some of my debts using my student loans. I think i am better off as even though I am with the CCCS i am still getting interest and charges added. I have managed to pay one debt off but with this money i could pay off (using the deals theyve offered me) 2 debts worth £4000 for £2500...do i do it???? any advice would be welcomed. We are not in debt management but in what is known as self help.

    Thanks

    Jody

    Hello,

    It’s hard to say without seeing your budget and knowing the full situation. I would recommend that you contact our client support department and then we will be able to talk through your options.

    Sarah
    I am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.

    CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
  • CCCS_Sue
    CCCS_Sue Posts: 966 Organisation Representative
    Primarni wrote: »
    Yeah. My income from my job is largely commission and bonus based and that's just not happening right now. I have just moved back in with my parents in an effort to live on my basic. (They're not thrilled about it tbh, and neither am I, although I am grateful that it's an option.)
    I have been digging a big overdraft hole for myself the past six months trying to pay rent and loan and live on half my usual income.

    I just thought if I could get another loan on a longer term then I would have smaller monthly payments and things might get better in a year or two, but I take your point about paying more interest this way. I'd pay two lost wouldn't I? I hadn't thought of it like that.

    The payments wouldn't be all that much smaller anyway because the interest on the original loan was about 7% and I can't find anybody offering rates like than.

    And as I said I've been turned down 3 times now.

    I could sell my car, or ask if they'd take it back, but I've had it about a year now. Plus I need a car for work (I drive around to client sites) and I'm really loving not having to the stress and expense of car maintenance and MOT's etc.

    So is the basic advice to keep soldiering on, making the payments and work everything else around that?
    Hi Primani
    I would recommend that you call us for an appointment to discuss your situation further as there may be other options you could look at to deal with your situation.
    If you would like to talk to a debt counsellor about your situation, you can book a telephone based appointment by calling our helpline free on 0800 138 1111. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00. It would be helpful that when you call you have details ready regarding your income, expenditure and creditors, as this can help speed up the referral process. If you have this information ready it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor if one is available, otherwise we will arrange a time that is convenient for you to be called back for an appointment.

    Regards,
    CCCS_Sue
    I am a CCCS Debt Counsellor and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on CCCS 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
  • Hello

    I've recently been told that by a CCCS advisor that my income is so low at the moment I'm not in a position to make a debt management proposal as I've nothing to negotiate with. My income has truly been crunched this year, and I've earned nothing since early July. Things will probably improve in the Autumn, but I have another problem I need urgent advice on: I was awarded Working Tax Credit of £52 per week in March, backdated to December. I was so relieved, I didn't realise I had to notify Housing Benefit re change of circumstances. When the Working Tax renewal form arrived, I saw the paragraph that mentioned the fact that I must notify them, and now I'm desperately worried because I'm not able to deal with all my debts as it is at the moment (I won't get paid again until the end of September.. maybe even October), I have rent arrears already, and if they take away my Housing Benefit in one fell swoop I will be evicted for sure as the amount they would calculate they have over paid will be in the region of £1000. I just haven't got that kind of money at the moment.

    I've got the form from HB office, and spoke to someone about the award of £52 per week. She told me I would then lose £30 per week in benefits. I am seriously regretting having ever taken the step of asking for Working Tax Credit.

    Can someone offer some sensible,practical advice that can help me deal with this in a way that will enable me to remedy this situation?

    I'm also harrassed several times daily by companies offering unsolicited "debt solutions":eek:
  • CCCS_Sarah
    CCCS_Sarah Posts: 1,555 Organisation Representative
    alimadee wrote: »
    Hello

    I've recently been told that by a CCCS advisor that my income is so low at the moment I'm not in a position to make a debt management proposal as I've nothing to negotiate with. My income has truly been crunched this year, and I've earned nothing since early July. Things will probably improve in the Autumn, but I have another problem I need urgent advice on: I was awarded Working Tax Credit of £52 per week in March, backdated to December. I was so relieved, I didn't realise I had to notify Housing Benefit re change of circumstances. When the Working Tax renewal form arrived, I saw the paragraph that mentioned the fact that I must notify them, and now I'm desperately worried because I'm not able to deal with all my debts as it is at the moment (I won't get paid again until the end of September.. maybe even October), I have rent arrears already, and if they take away my Housing Benefit in one fell swoop I will be evicted for sure as the amount they would calculate they have over paid will be in the region of £1000. I just haven't got that kind of money at the moment.

    I've got the form from HB office, and spoke to someone about the award of £52 per week. She told me I would then lose £30 per week in benefits. I am seriously regretting having ever taken the step of asking for Working Tax Credit.

    Can someone offer some sensible,practical advice that can help me deal with this in a way that will enable me to remedy this situation?

    I'm also harrassed several times daily by companies offering unsolicited "debt solutions":eek:

    You would need to let the benefits office know as soon as possible about your situation. This way if there are any overpayments, they can be addressed asap. If you do get £30 per week taken off your HB, you will be still £22 a week better off, so this will help your situation.

    Once you have contacted the benefits office and know where you stand, give the CCCS a call back and then we can review your account and see how if affects your situation.

    If you’re having problems with calls from a debt solutions company, you could either contact them directly and ask for your number removing or contact your phone provider.
    I am a Debt Counsellor that works for the CCCS and have specific permission from Martin, to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on the CCCS and what it does in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article.

    CCCS is a registered charity, and there is no charge whatsoever for any of the services we provide to our clients. We take great pride in offering first class help and advice, but we only offer this where we have been able to fully explore and understand your circumstances with you. We want to help you understand these choices and their possible implications but not make them for you.
  • lez6781
    lez6781 Posts: 14 Forumite
    I have just completed the CCCS Debt remedy online and it has recommended a DMP with a payment of £100. My debt is £15000 over 6 creditors, is this level of payment likely to be accepted??
    How long will it take for the welcome pack to come?
    Also I have 2 creditors which are due for monthly payments this week and with 1 being £85 and the other £40 I just cant pay them, what should I do?? I really would rather go into a DMP before I default any payment, I havent missed any with any of them yet! or does this not even matter as they will default me once I am on DMP?

    Sorry for all the questions but I am really nervous about going down this route, but i can't go on the way i am, meeting the minimum payments but with no light at the end of the tunnel as the interest eats up my payment completely!

    thanks in advance
  • cpwp
    cpwp Posts: 53 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi
    I’ve been on a DMP with CCCS for 18 months and have paid over £12000. Trouble is I owe as much or more now as when I started. The credit card companies just keep on piling on interest and charges. I have decided to go down the solicitor route to see if any of the debt can be cancelled. I would not have taken this decision if there was light at the end ot the tunnel but they just keep bumping up the debt. I will let you all know how I get on.
  • CCCS_Sarah wrote: »
    Hello,

    You would be able to put forward a new income and expenditure to the court, with a new offer of repayment. You would need to complete a form called an N245 there will be a charge for this of £35, you can either pick an N245 up from your local County Court or off the Courts website

    If you need any advice or help completing the forms you can call 0800 138 1111.

    Sarah

    Does that mean that they will be able to enforce no matter what? I read elsewhere that it was very unlikely for the Court to grant an enforcement order after so long, as the DCA would have to justify why they had taken no action for so long. I have been on the electoral role all those years, they could have approached me at any time but they picked now and I am sure it is either because they can see I am now paying off my debts or because my name now comes up on a Companies House search so they know that the threat of bankruptcy is a scary one. If they apply to the Court for enforcement is it automatic or can I attend and argue against?

    Thanks.
    Save money...save the world! :A
    Planning to be debt-free and buy a house by the end of 2010.
  • Hello

    I am currently on a self-managed DMP with the CCCS and one of my creditors has advised they will not put me forward for a stop on my interest and charges on my credit card account as I spend too much on basic needs. The budget shows I am only spending the recommended guideline amounts from BBA.

    I spoke to a CCCS advisor by phone today as I feel my creditor is not taking the required "sympathetic" view and she advised I can raise an FSA complaint with my creditor. She also mentioned that should be adhering to a certain FSA principle.

    I can't remember which one it was titled and I have tried to find a link on FSA's website so I am able to quote the certain principle in my letter of complaint but I cannot find it.

    Are you able to advise me which of the principles it is? and/or provide a link to the principles set out by the FSA to help people in financial difficulty?

    Many thanks in advance
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