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Ask a CCCS counsellor a question
Comments
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Hi,
First a bit of background information: Having had my LBM at the start of August, I am organising our own DMP to clear what we owe. As we owe a lot in council tax the bulk of our surplus £480 pm is being split between 4 councils on a pro-rata basis. On top of that we are paying £200 for our current council tax and a nominal amount of £107 to our remaining creditors.
Two councils have agreed our pro-rata offers and a third are considering it.
The final council tax arrears (the smallest amount overall) is with Newlyn. Today I received a letter rejecting our offer of £72 a month. They want us to pay £245.71 a month! We had sent them a letter and included a copy of our SoA. They say that we are not allowed any payments towards: internet and landline(£20), mobile phones (2 mobiles on basic £25 pm contract), sky basic (£20), clothes (£30), tobacco (£77), hairdressing (£18) or christmas/birthdays (£20). All of these figures were based on the figures from CCCS debt remedy.
Are they correct or would the £235 pm we pay towards these be considered reasonable? We have already told all of our non-priority creditors that we need to clear council tax arrears and several have already agreed.
Can they insist that we stop paying all of these?
Thanks
MM
Hello,
Thank you for your message.
I would suggest that you come for a telephone appointment and then we can see if there any areas within your budget that we can adjust. Council Tax needs to take priority over personal loans, credit cards etc
What you could do for example is reduce the payments down to your unsecured creditors and once the council debts start to clear then this money can once again go towards your other debts.
If you would like an appointment, please call 0800 138 1111.
SarahI 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.
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Hello CCCS Friends
Just a quick question about my going onto the Debt Remedy site recently. I filled it out and included the loan that is in my wifes name. I make the payments for this as I have done for the past 5 years on a reduced rate. The Loan was with LTSB but has now been transfered to Credit Security Limited. The amount we owe on it is somewhere in the region of £19,500 and they are currently accepting payments of £40.
I have been making the payments ok for a while now but after I phoned in my end of year figures to the tax credit office they have reduced my money by £80 per month which will obviously impact on the amount I am able to pay. What I am afraid of is contacting all the creditors to ask if I can lower the payments to them as I feel the payments are already low anyway.
Can you advise me the best way forward please
Thanks gimmedosh
Hello,
If your income has reduced then you would need to reduce the payments to the creditors. I suggest that you look to see if there are any other options available to you both as even on £40pcm its going to take over 40 years to clear that debt.
For the moment, just pay the creditors what you can afford – even if the say they are not accepting the amount send it anyway.
SarahI 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.
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hooplajess wrote: »Hi i'm really hoping someone here can help with advice. My boyfriend is in serious trouble with his finances. He owes just shy of £15k in loans, credit cards and overdrafts as well as 2 loans taken out by freinds for him but which aren't in his name. He recently lost his job and hasn't ben able to find any steady work that would constitue an income. We've looked into DRO's but he doesn't owe enough to qualify for one and he can't afford to go bankrupt. His creditors are also refusing to meet him half way despite writing to him saying that they could negotiate a repayment plan. I'm trying my best to help him it just seems like we're really stuck. Is there anything you could advise.
How much does you partner own? To be eligible for a DRO, he would need to owe below £15,000, have assets worth less that £300 and less than £50 surplus.
Your partner could visit our online debt advice facility called Debt Remedy. Debt Remedy would assist you in completing a financial statement and he would be provided with tailored advice on the best way to deal with his situation. Click here to go directly to Debt Remedy.
If he would prefer to talk to a debt counsellor about his situation, he could 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 he calls he has details ready regarding your income, expenditure and creditors, as this can help speed up the referral process. If he has 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 him to be called back for an appointment.
Regards,
SarahI 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.
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shirlthegirlx wrote: »Hi people x
I'd like some help if possible please.
Both myself and my partner can only work part time as we both have health problems, I applied fro DLA march 2008 and finally had my appeal tribunal dismissed on thursday...I will apply again.
My problem is that we cannot make ends meet..same bills to pay etc and we owe about £18,000 on credit cards and overdraft, about £3,400 car finance and there is the mortgage on top of that.
I have spent the last few weeks worrying myself sick and the last 2 days I just feel like crawling into a hole and never coming back out again.
There is only my name on the mortgage as my partner had previously had bad credit rating but is building it back up now.
I have read all these articles about wiping off credit card debt etc but are they for real?
I'm really desperate for help as I dont want to lose the house and neither of us are physically able to work more hours than we do.
We do have WTC and CTC, but this wont be available after the next year....PLEASE PLEASE help if you can
thanks Shirely
Hi Shirely,
There seems to be a lot of organisations offering “wipe-off debt” services for a substantial fee. It’s worth noting that consumer credit debts will only be written off, if there is clear evidence that the creditor in question has breached the guidelines set within the Consumer Credit Act. The commercial companies offering to wipe off debts seem to be advertising this to the wider market, without prior knowledge to the individual’s financial situation.
If you are in a position where you think your creditors have taken unnecessary action which breaches the CCA and have evidence that proves so, then you could consider going down the route of disputing the debt through County Court. I would be very careful of any organisation offering such services, especially when they are charging substantial fees with no guarantee of success, when it’s something that you could do for yourself.
My advice would be that if you do feel you have a case where you feel your creditors have breached the CCA, speak to someone who can offer free independent advice, such as the Office of Fair Trading.
More information can be found on the Office of Fair Trading website: http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press/2008/consumeralert.
It’s difficult to give you detailed advice on your options as we don’t have your full financial details. However you can visit our online debt advice facility called Debt Remedy. Debt Remedy would assist you in completing a financial statement and you would be provided with tailored advice on the best way to deal with your situation. Click here to go directly to Debt Remedy.
If you would prefer 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,
CCCSI 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.
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Hello there,
I have a lot of debt and went through CCCS and set up a DMP. Unfortunately I never set up the DD and would pay at the PO but then my work stopped overtime and my wages went down. SO I stupidly stopped paying my DMP. This was a couple of months ago. Can this be set back up with a DD?
I am losing sleep as other half doesn't know anout this.
I feel very stupid and irresponsible and really need help please and angry at myself :mad:
ThanksNov Wins - Go-Cat toy (laser pen which the cat hates!), 2 x DVD, A DS game, Book light
Dec Wins - Dove Bodywash set, book x 3, Rizla tin x 2, £200 high street vouchers, £250 Amazon voucher, Wii Console, Xbox 360 Console0 -
richinspirit wrote: »Hello. I have 1600 in overdraft and 4200 in credit card debt. (not a lot) but on my teacher salary as a single mother, it seems alot. My salary was paid into Nat West so I was never able to catch up, as NatWest always paid themselves first, to pay offthe overdraft. I wrote my previous bank (NatWest) three times asking for an arrangement via email to no avail. I didn't receive any response. I closed the account and opened a new account with another bank. Now I am getting letters and calls regarding this. I have 150 that I can pay monthly towards this debt but am hesitant to talk with them without representation or advise. I am working here in England on a work permit. Pls advise. Thanks, RIS
Hello,
You need to pay what you can afford based on your budget. I would recommend you put together a detailed budget and set up a standing order or ask them for a payment book for the monthly payments. Even if the creditors don’t accept the payment, send it anyway.
If you would like any further advice you are more than welcome to have a telephone with the CCCS, or you could visit our online debt advice facility Debt Remedy. Debt Remedy will help you complete a budget and you will be provided with tailored advice to you situation. If you would like to visit Debt Remedy this link will take you directly there, or call 0800 138 1111 for an appointment.
SarahI 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.
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shootingstarXX wrote: »Hi, Im currently on a DMP with CCCS and would like to reclaim bank and credit card charges, my question is am I consider to be in finacial hardship being on a DMP?
Thanks
Hello,
You would have to fit certain criteria, we would be happy to take a look into it for you. Please contact our client support department, if you need the number send me a PM.
If you do meet the hardship criteria, we will be able to send you a letter to forward onto you bank advising that we support your claim.
SarahI 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.
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Hello there,
I have a lot of debt and went through CCCS and set up a DMP. Unfortunately I never set up the DD and would pay at the PO but then my work stopped overtime and my wages went down. SO I stupidly stopped paying my DMP. This was a couple of months ago. Can this be set back up with a DD?
I am losing sleep as other half doesn't know anout this.
I feel very stupid and irresponsible and really need help please and angry at myself :mad:
Thanks
Hello,
Thank you for your message.
You would need to contact our client support department and make them aware of your situation. The number will be on the back of your statements, if you can find it let me know and I will send you a PM.
SarahI 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.
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HI
I have dmp with payplan are they a good company? MSE used to recommend them but I know see that CCCS are preferable, whats do cccs do better?0 -
Hi there,
I was approached by a company a few weeks ago with regards to a DMP. After reading the helpful posts on this site, I realised that this company was only after one thing.....my money!! :rolleyes:
Anyway, I went onto the cccs website and filled in the debt remedy form. The question that I have is:
My DH and I don't split the bills 50/50. I got into debt a few years ago and we had to remortgage the house to sort it. I said that because it was my fault, I would pay the mortgage and half the car payments, and he would pay the rest, ie c/tax, gas, elec, etc. I earn more than he does too, so only thought it fair?!Anyway, is it possible for me to do a DMP showing my I&E as my own only, eg mortgage, car and debt payments. Or is it advisable to split everything down the middle and on the debt remedy form?? I'm a bit confused......:rolleyes:
Thanks a lot!PAYDBX17 #29 £760.19/10000 :j0
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