Debt Relief Orders (DRO) - Information & help thread

Orville

drohelp wrote: »

Hi as per my signature im not exactly new here, but given the personal nature of this and some others on my usual post, i didn't want the two to be links so hopefully I can remain anonymous.

Back ground, I was living and working for 12 years (from age 16 while also studying full time) between the uk and abroad, generally a good but perhaps frivolous life, not always highly paid so sometimes got things on credit cards ( as with a lot of people) but then two years ago I was made redundant. i had a small payout (£8k) and had option to pay a huge chunk of debt off, or live on it till i had another job and then used remainder to pay it off. two months later however I was still unemployed and had some ill health.

I then started some temporary contract work but still used the payout to support myself as well as ensure minimum c/c payments were made. I had to stop work however as my health got worse and I went on to ESA after injuring myself and required 2 operations to my knee. Fast forward now two years at the age of 30 and Im about still on ESA, have worse symptoms, waiting for results of another knee mri to see if I need injections or more surgery and also due to have radiotherapy in a few weeks for what I now know to be a benign brain tumour.

Ive paid minimum and more on my c/cs where I can, but Ive moved in to my own flat again permanently in the uk and had to furnish that (did charity shop/freecycle where possible) and pay deposits etc.

Ive lived frugally, not buying ANY clothes the past 12 months, cheap haircuts (but it grows quickly and don't want the convict look) and stopped buying daily contact lenses, using my glasses etc. Due to ill health I don't really eat a lot, but that doesn't mean its free. I dont go out, but do have a large family (4 sisters, parents, nieces etc) so even cheap presents add up at Christmas and birthdays.

ive done limited work (ESA permitted working) but its only minimal, irregular and of late non existent but has helped me to get by but i wont be able to do

I get my prescriptions for free and medical travel expenses but need my car (have DVLA approval to still drive.. at the moment) to get to my many medical, physio appointments which have been all over the uk with specialists trying to work out what was wrong and how best to treat me.

Ive reached the point where I cant carry on paying minimum amounts and my assets are well and truly gone. im not sure what state im going to be in after radiotherapy (a weeks worth) so trying to get things sorted asap if possible.

Ive completed the CCCS debt remedy and its suggested a Temporary Payment plan.

Id consider this is what Ive been doing already and not a long term solution given that my circumstances are not likely to improve any over the next 12 months at least, and having researched am thinking that a DRO may be more suited.

My SOA on the CCCS site was initally lower on many things e.g. clothes etc but it suggested i increase them to their recommended levels so i have. Should I increase any other stuff ?

Can I still proceed with an SOA with CCCS (quite like the sound of them from what Ive heard) or do I have to follow their "solution" first ?

any other suggestions (constructive ) appreciated.

ps the rent is the difference to what I get in HB and the rent cost which I have to cover.


and breathe.....

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 377
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 377

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 25
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 0
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 12
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 11
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 100
Clothing................................ 11
Petrol/diesel........................... 30
Road tax................................ 10
Car Insurance........................... 43
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 13
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 7
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 5
Haircuts................................ 10
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 10
Total monthly expenses.................. 299


Assets
Cash.................................... 150
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 765
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 915

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit Card....................3971......79........0
credit Card....................3057......92........0
Credit Card....................850.......43........0
overdraft......................800.......0.........0
Overdraft......................618.......0.........0
Credit Card....................2854......76........0
Total unsecured debts..........12150.....290.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 377
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 299
Available for debt repayments........... 78
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 290
Amount short for making debt repayments. -212

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 915
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,150
Net Assets.............................. -11,235

Created using the SOA calculator at makesenseofcards
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.

You get Housing Benefit, so i guess you live on your own. If so i see no gas, electric costs down or are they included in your rent..? You could up your food a bit to include toiletries etc, shampoo soaps and the like. Your car maintenance etc could go up a bit too .

scarlet55

drohelp wrote: »

Hi as per my signature im not exactly new here, but given the personal nature of this and some others on my usual post, i didn't want the two to be links so hopefully I can remain anonymous.

Back ground, I was living and working for 12 years (from age 16 while also studying full time) between the uk and abroad, generally a good but perhaps frivolous life, not always highly paid so sometimes got things on credit cards ( as with a lot of people) but then two years ago I was made redundant. i had a small payout (£8k) and had option to pay a huge chunk of debt off, or live on it till i had another job and then used remainder to pay it off. two months later however I was still unemployed and had some ill health.

I then started some temporary contract work but still used the payout to support myself as well as ensure minimum c/c payments were made. I had to stop work however as my health got worse and I went on to ESA after injuring myself and required 2 operations to my knee. Fast forward now two years at the age of 30 and Im about still on ESA, have worse symptoms, waiting for results of another knee mri to see if I need injections or more surgery and also due to have radiotherapy in a few weeks for what I now know to be a benign brain tumour.

Ive paid minimum and more on my c/cs where I can, but Ive moved in to my own flat again permanently in the uk and had to furnish that (did charity shop/freecycle where possible) and pay deposits etc.

Ive lived frugally, not buying ANY clothes the past 12 months, cheap haircuts (but it grows quickly and don't want the convict look) and stopped buying daily contact lenses, using my glasses etc. Due to ill health I don't really eat a lot, but that doesn't mean its free. I dont go out, but do have a large family (4 sisters, parents, nieces etc) so even cheap presents add up at Christmas and birthdays.

ive done limited work (ESA permitted working) but its only minimal, irregular and of late non existent but has helped me to get by but i wont be able to do

I get my prescriptions for free and medical travel expenses but need my car (have DVLA approval to still drive.. at the moment) to get to my many medical, physio appointments which have been all over the uk with specialists trying to work out what was wrong and how best to treat me.

Ive reached the point where I cant carry on paying minimum amounts and my assets are well and truly gone. im not sure what state im going to be in after radiotherapy (a weeks worth) so trying to get things sorted asap if possible.

Ive completed the CCCS debt remedy and its suggested a Temporary Payment plan.

Id consider this is what Ive been doing already and not a long term solution given that my circumstances are not likely to improve any over the next 12 months at least, and having researched am thinking that a DRO may be more suited.

My SOA on the CCCS site was initally lower on many things e.g. clothes etc but it suggested i increase them to their recommended levels so i have. Should I increase any other stuff ?

Can I still proceed with an SOA with CCCS (quite like the sound of them from what Ive heard) or do I have to follow their "solution" first ?

any other suggestions (constructive ) appreciated.

ps the rent is the difference to what I get in HB and the rent cost which I have to cover.


and breathe.....

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 377
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 377

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 25
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 0
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 12
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 11
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 100
Clothing................................ 11
Petrol/diesel........................... 30
Road tax................................ 10
Car Insurance........................... 43
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 13
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 7
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 5
Haircuts................................ 10
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 10
Total monthly expenses.................. 299


Assets
Cash.................................... 150
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 765
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 915

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit Card....................3971......79........0
credit Card....................3057......92........0
Credit Card....................850.......43........0
overdraft......................800.......0.........0
Overdraft......................618.......0.........0
Credit Card....................2854......76........0
Total unsecured debts..........12150.....290.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 377
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 299
Available for debt repayments........... 78
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 290
Amount short for making debt repayments. -212

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 915
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,150
Net Assets.............................. -11,235

Created using the SOA calculator at makesenseofcards
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.

you have nothing down for gas and electric.....also your housekeeping should be higher and your clothes newspapers,ect will all go in this....my adviser put down £216 a month for my housekeeping and i also live alone.....you sound perfect for a dro....tell cccs that you would like to go for this option, as just making minimal payments will take years to pay.....good luck with it

drohelp

thanks for the prompt responses.

oops yes your right, the gas and electric were in the cccs one but i omitted them it seems when copying from the format for here (memory problems and lack of concentration another symptom ;( )

i pay direct debit £10 a month for electric and £8 a month gas, but as i said ive been living frugally (candles at night and tv glow, no heating on for past 3 or 4 months) but would like to be able to use what i like when i like etc without too much worry. I dont really ever buy a news paper, so didnt put anything down but ive increased clothing etc. ive not bought any toiletries other for the past year either, using every thing else I have up. Id like to add contact lenses again (£10 a month ) can i do this ?

glad its been suggested I can still get a dro, have noticed the live chat so will give that a go tomorrow when its on.
heres an updated soa - any better ?: the concern ive got is that a dro may be refused because it makes my outgoing still higher than my income ? I will have to live within my means as such so should I not seek to balance these out ?

Total monthly income.................... 307
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 386
Available for debt repayments........... -79


Some things ive already paid for (on credit card admittedly) annually eg tv licence, car insurance. breakdown etc so dont need to monthly pay for these at the moment so should I reduce these now to reflect that, or list them to show a budget for the future ?



Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 307
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 307

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 25
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 15
Gas..................................... 15
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 11
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 150
Clothing................................ 20
Petrol/diesel........................... 30
Road tax................................ 10
Car Insurance........................... 43
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 20
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 10
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 7
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 5
Haircuts................................ 10
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 15
Total monthly expenses.................. 386


Assets
Cash.................................... 150
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 765
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 915

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit Card....................3971......79........0
Credit Card....................3057......92........0
Credit Card....................850.......43........0
Overdraft......................800.......0.........0
Overdraft......................618.......0.........0
Credit Card....................2854......76........0
Total unsecured debts..........12150.....290.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 307
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 386
Available for debt repayments........... -79
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 290
Amount short for making debt repayments. -369

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 915
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,150
Net Assets.............................. -11,235

Created using the SOA calculator at makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.

wba31

drohelp wrote: »

thanks for the prompt responses.

oops yes your right, the gas and electric were in the cccs one but i omitted them it seems when copying from the format for here (memory problems and lack of concentration another symptom ;( )

i pay direct debit £10 a month for electric and £8 a month gas, but as i said ive been living frugally (candles at night and tv glow, no heating on for past 3 or 4 months) but would like to be able to use what i like when i like etc without too much worry. I dont really ever buy a news paper, so didnt put anything down but ive increased clothing etc. ive not bought any toiletries other for the past year either, using every thing else I have up. Id like to add contact lenses again (£10 a month ) can i do this ?

glad its been suggested I can still get a dro, have noticed the live chat so will give that a go tomorrow when its on.
heres an updated soa - any better ?: the concern ive got is that a dro may be refused because it makes my outgoing still higher than my income ? I will have to live within my means as such so should I not seek to balance these out ?

Total monthly income.................... 307
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 386
Available for debt repayments........... -79


Some things ive already paid for (on credit card admittedly) annually eg tv licence, car insurance. breakdown etc so dont need to monthly pay for these at the moment so should I reduce these now to reflect that, or list them to show a budget for the future ?



Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 307
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 307

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 25
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 15
Gas..................................... 15
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 11
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 150
Clothing................................ 20
Petrol/diesel........................... 30
Road tax................................ 10
Car Insurance........................... 43
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 20
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 10
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 7
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 5
Haircuts................................ 10
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 15
Total monthly expenses.................. 386


Assets
Cash.................................... 150
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 765
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 915

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit Card....................3971......79........0
Credit Card....................3057......92........0
Credit Card....................850.......43........0
Overdraft......................800.......0.........0
Overdraft......................618.......0.........0
Credit Card....................2854......76........0
Total unsecured debts..........12150.....290.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 307
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 386
Available for debt repayments........... -79
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 290
Amount short for making debt repayments. -369

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 915
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -12,150
Net Assets.............................. -11,235

Created using the SOA calculator at makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.

You'll need to reduce something to balance the budget, but a DRO will be fine.

Saturnalia

Just got back from my appointment.

I sat down with my advisor, who was absolutely lovely, she asked me how I was feeling and if I was 100% sure I wanted to go ahead with it, I told her I was a bit nervous but knew it was the right thing to do, and she told me that everybody feels that way and once I get the word that it has all gone through, I'll feel like a whole different person & life begins again. (I hope so!)

So down to business - she looked over the credit reports I took in and checked it tallied with the creditor information I had previously given her (it did) then logged onto the Insolvency Service website and put in my personal info. While she was doing this I had to write down every address I have lived at for the past 5 years, and by that point she was ready to print out the barcode. I had to take that to the Post Office about 10 mins walk away, pay and come back with the reciept, and by the time I had done that and come back she'd entered all my creditor & past address info onto the webpage, all that was left to do then was put the details from the PO reciept onto the Insolvency website, and that's it done.

I should hear in the next few days that the DRO application has been accepted. The advisor did warn me that about 1% are rejected but those are normally the ones where people are trying to hide assets, preferring one creditor, basically not playing it straight. So mine will almost-certainly go through. She also warned they may want to investigate and call me for further info, but just to answer honestly and it will be fine. She had to warn as well that if a DRO app is rejected you can't have the £90 fee back (I knew that anyway, but it's good that they tell applicants these things).

So that's where things stand now, just need to wait for official word that it's gone through ok. My head's a bit messy at the moment, but luckily I have a busy weekend ahead to take my mind off things. (Flatmate's birthday do, she's having it at a mate's big back garden tomorrow so I'll be tidying up here today, going round there to help prep the food and put up the marquee tonight, stopping over and the party happens tomorrow and I'm stopping there tomorrow night too. Happy times!)

scarlet55

Saturnalia wrote: »

Just got back from my appointment.

I sat down with my advisor, who was absolutely lovely, she asked me how I was feeling and if I was 100% sure I wanted to go ahead with it, I told her I was a bit nervous but knew it was the right thing to do, and she told me that everybody feels that way and once I get the word that it has all gone through, I'll feel like a whole different person & life begins again. (I hope so!)

So down to business - she looked over the credit reports I took in and checked it tallied with the creditor information I had previously given her (it did) then logged onto the Insolvency Service website and put in my personal info. While she was doing this I had to write down every address I have lived at for the past 5 years, and by that point she was ready to print out the barcode. I had to take that to the Post Office about 10 mins walk away, pay and come back with the reciept, and by the time I had done that and come back she'd entered all my creditor & past address info onto the webpage, all that was left to do then was put the details from the PO reciept onto the Insolvency website, and that's it done.

I should hear in the next few days that the DRO application has been accepted. The advisor did warn me that about 1% are rejected but those are normally the ones where people are trying to hide assets, preferring one creditor, basically not playing it straight. So mine will almost-certainly go through. She also warned they may want to investigate and call me for further info, but just to answer honestly and it will be fine. She had to warn as well that if a DRO app is rejected you can't have the £90 fee back (I knew that anyway, but it's good that they tell applicants these things).

So that's where things stand now, just need to wait for official word that it's gone through ok. My head's a bit messy at the moment, but luckily I have a busy weekend ahead to take my mind off things. (Flatmate's birthday do, she's having it at a mate's big back garden tomorrow so I'll be tidying up here today, going round there to help prep the food and put up the marquee tonight, stopping over and the party happens tomorrow and I'm stopping there tomorrow night too. Happy times!)

well done you..:T:T:T iff you've heard nothing by monday go on the insolvency website....your name should be on there by then...could even be sooner.............enjoy ur weekend....:T:T:T

Saturnalia

Well the phone rang about 5, it was Credit Solutions (who have been plaguing me with automated messages coming from different numbers lately) and I answered them and explained I was getting a DRO and the man on the line couldn't have been nicer to me! He said he knew they should be getting the information in the next week and I should get mine and if they hadn't heard anything by Friday he'd call back to get my DRO details from me.

Wow. One weight off my mind already!

I'm now quite looking forward to speaking to Wescot, who have been pulling the same frequent-calls-from-assorted-numbers stunt the last couple of weeks.

Chatted to my flatmate and she was pleased today has gone well as I've been very nervous the last couple of nights, thank goodness I have had some work and we've been busy with the garden in the evening so I haven't had all day to sit around and dwell on it. She felt sad I'd had to go through it but pleased there's a way out of the mess I was in and it went ok.

Just_Peachy

Hi,

I have posted this on the IVA and DRO board but only had one response, so hoping someone here can help......

I am planning on applying for a DRO when i go on Maternity leave in November as my income is going to drop by 2 thirds and I have no way of making my repayments. I have read all the criteria etc and I think I will be eligible for a DRO.

However I am on a temporary contract at work and have just found out that when I leave in November I will get my Statutory maternity pay in one lump sum as I am not returning to work there, which by my workings out (so could be wrong!!) would be a lump sum of £5120 after tax and NI deductions.

Does this mean I will not be able to apply for a DRO? Although I am getting the payment in a lump sum, it is actually my wage for the 39 weeks of maternity leave. I have to live off this and am planning on dividing it into weekly or monthly amounts and living from these amounts. I will be able to get letters from my work stating that this is a lump sum statutory maternity payment and will also have my Maternity forms from my midwife to prove I am an expectant mother.

This has confused me lots and I am hoping it does not stop my application for a DRO - any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
JP

scarlet55

FireyFaerie wrote: »

Not sure if you can help, but how closely are you watched with a DRO? I know I am allowed £50 per month left over after food and bills etc, which is how much I get or less at the moment as I am on Income Support and a single mum. I would love to go back to work, working part time somewhere. But how would I work out how much spare income I would have etc before actually getting a job? I know I can work out rough costs of things like childcare, but what happens if I end up with an extra £10-£20 for example?
Also.. the job centre do incentives at the moment. If you get back into unemployment you get given a one off payment of something like £240 and then £40 a week or month or something simular for 1 year. Am I right in thinking I would not be able to go for this incentive as it would effect my DRO and my debts would be given back?
I would love to go back to work now my youngest is 1.. only part time, but I worry I will have wasted my time with my DRO and just get all my debts given back, meaning I will be b*ggered financially and trying to cope paying them off. am I better just waiting until my DRO ends before looking for work?
Sorry its so long and includes so many questions, I just want to better myself for my children, but it seems so hard in the already tight situation I am in.

..hi...i got my dro at the beginning of april and as far as i know you are not 'watched', but you have to be truthfull and tell the OR of any changes in circumstances......not sure how the back to work scheme would affect you, but as the dro moratoriam period only lasts a year why not wait till after to look for a job when all of your debts are cleared...:)

scarlet55

Just_Peachy wrote: »

Hi,

I have posted this on the IVA and DRO board but only had one response, so hoping someone here can help......

I am planning on applying for a DRO when i go on Maternity leave in November as my income is going to drop by 2 thirds and I have no way of making my repayments. I have read all the criteria etc and I think I will be eligible for a DRO.

However I am on a temporary contract at work and have just found out that when I leave in November I will get my Statutory maternity pay in one lump sum as I am not returning to work there, which by my workings out (so could be wrong!!) would be a lump sum of £5120 after tax and NI deductions.

Does this mean I will not be able to apply for a DRO? Although I am getting the payment in a lump sum, it is actually my wage for the 39 weeks of maternity leave. I have to live off this and am planning on dividing it into weekly or monthly amounts and living from these amounts. I will be able to get letters from my work stating that this is a lump sum statutory maternity payment and will also have my Maternity forms from my midwife to prove I am an expectant mother.

This has confused me lots and I am hoping it does not stop my application for a DRO - any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
JP

hi peachy....sorry but i have no idea how this would affect getting a dro.....i think you should phone one of the free debt charitys, such as CAB...CCCS...NDL...who will be able to give you advice.....there are also intermediaries on this forum who maybe able to help....im sure one of them will be on-line soon to offer you advice....sorry i couldnt help...