Debt Relief Orders (DRO) - Information & help thread

Saturnalia

The DRO went through yesterday. I got an e-mail from the CAB lady, she said I'd get a letter in a few days' time, and my name is now on the register.

It does feel like a weight has been lifted. I got a call from a creditor this morning and was able to tell them I had a DRO, and they looked me up on the register, found my details, told me they would close my account & couldn't have been nicer to me. It's such a relief to not be jumping every time the phone goes or there's a knock on the door, I'm sleeping and eating better and look and feel 10 years younger too.

Of course I feel a little bit silly and embarrassed that I got into this situation in the first place... then again whenever I have had a wage coming in I've paid back what I could, but on benefits there was no way of servicing the debts. The economy the way it is now, I'm not the first or last to get into debt while times were good with every intention of paying it back, then the axe fell. I'm just so grateful there is a way of hitting reset on the whole mess and being able to rebuild my life again.

Thanks to all of you for your support on this thread - it's really lifted my spirits at what was a bit of a scary time. (And much respect to the CAB staff who made the process as easy as possible, and all on their own time as well. They are brilliant.)

scarlet55

Saturnalia wrote: »

The DRO went through yesterday. I got an e-mail from the CAB lady, she said I'd get a letter in a few days' time, and my name is now on the register.

It does feel like a weight has been lifted. I got a call from a creditor this morning and was able to tell them I had a DRO, and they looked me up on the register, found my details, told me they would close my account & couldn't have been nicer to me. It's such a relief to not be jumping every time the phone goes or there's a knock on the door, I'm sleeping and eating better and look and feel 10 years younger too.

Of course I feel a little bit silly and embarrassed that I got into this situation in the first place... then again whenever I have had a wage coming in I've paid back what I could, but on benefits there was no way of servicing the debts. The economy the way it is now, I'm not the first or last to get into debt while times were good with every intention of paying it back, then the axe fell. I'm just so grateful there is a way of hitting reset on the whole mess and being able to rebuild my life again.

Thanks to all of you for your support on this thread - it's really lifted my spirits at what was a bit of a scary time. (And much respect to the CAB staff who made the process as easy as possible, and all on their own time as well. They are brilliant.)

:j:j:j well done and congratulations....no you are not the first and you certainly wont be the last..im glad you are now sleeping better..you now have your life back as you say...and a fresh start...:beer::beer: im really pleased for you...:T:T

scarlet55

FireyFaerie wrote: »

I apologise as to how my posts have come across. I am not obsessed so to speak with gaining a loan, it is more fear of not being able to cope. Obviously because of the DRO I am unable to save. Which means when the children need clothes or have birthdays, or things break.. I feel lost as to what to do because I have no money to replace anything. My last budgeting loan bought my children clothes, items in the house that were desperately needed etc. I try hard to buy everything second hand where I can, I am just struggling royally. When my DRO went through I was pregnant with one child. It took around 8 months from me first going to apply for it for it to all go through due to my name being on a joint bank account and problems trying to get it removed, along with an unhelpful advisor who took weeks to do anything and was never contactable. But because I had already paid him I could not ask anyone else to do my DRO.
I am stressed beyond belief, because even though it may not seem it from my posts, I am desperate to become debt free and get things straight. The debts I have were caused by my now ex husband, and because we were married my name was on most things including all bills etc because I "tried" to deal with the finances. And yes.. it was my fault for allowing to be controlled by him, so no point me moaning about it now.
I just hate this stressed panicky feeling that I cannot provide what is needed for my children. My eldest has just had his birthday and he had barely any presents and had a party that was just children turning up to play with him. I hate that I cannot afford new clothes, even though I buy things from the charity shop etc.
You are right though, once this loan has been paid off if I get another one I will just be paying that off. But my reasoning was I cannot save more than £200 (I think thats right?), but if I get a budgeting loan its just like having savings in my hand I suppose.. because I still pay it back.
I apologise for my defensive post also, have had a very busy day with lots of stress, and my finances are almost impossible at the moment.
February just seems such a long long way away. But on the plus side.. since leaving my now ex husband I have not gotten any more debts. Not a single one!! Every bill is paid on time and in full. Its just a shame my credit will be rubbish for the next 10 or so years I suppose.

no need to apoligise..i know its hard when you dont have credit to fall back on when you desperately need some-thing..but just think how much nicer it is not to be in debt anymore...february does seem a long way off but it will soon come round..but please dont go rushing out to get more debt when your year is up, otherwise you will be back to square one...look on freecycle for items that you need..i know it must be hard when you have children..they are always wanting something or other.....btw your credit will only be bad for the next 6 years..not 10.lol...hope everything goes ok for you..:):)

StayingSane

My DRO came through this week - this is my first posting so hope I'm using the technology right - & I'm not feeling all light & weight lifted off me yet. I'm just wondering what the consequences are going to be.
I phoned my internet supplier today to change the a/c my dd comes from & the guy sorted this then he seemed to get very excited about would I like to change my contract. there's one with a laptop & new dongle. I said it sounded like it would cost more than I was paying now. He said No - it would be much cheaper than what I was paying now (which sounds unlikely doesn't it - including a laptop - at the moment it's just the dongle access). He asked if he could transfer me to someone who could tell me all about it. Just before he transferred me he asked if I'd passed the credit check (using my bank card) when I'd first registered - which I had. He had this gleeful, excited sound to his voice.
So paranoia setting in - I started thinking that the DRO was showing up & somehow this would mean that I couldn't carry on with my contract. Which seems silly because I pay in advance.
What happens with things like mobile phone contracts / www contracts - any of the things we take for granted. Does it become difficult to set any of these up from scratch ? What about electricity - would I have to go on a meter if they knew ?
Any experience good (???? hopefully) / difficult about what happens next gratefully received.

scarlet55

StayingSane wrote: »

My DRO came through this week - this is my first posting so hope I'm using the technology right - & I'm not feeling all light & weight lifted off me yet. I'm just wondering what the consequences are going to be.
I phoned my internet supplier today to change the a/c my dd comes from & the guy sorted this then he seemed to get very excited about would I like to change my contract. there's one with a laptop & new dongle. I said it sounded like it would cost more than I was paying now. He said No - it would be much cheaper than what I was paying now (which sounds unlikely doesn't it - including a laptop - at the moment it's just the dongle access). He asked if he could transfer me to someone who could tell me all about it. Just before he transferred me he asked if I'd passed the credit check (using my bank card) when I'd first registered - which I had. He had this gleeful, excited sound to his voice.
So paranoia setting in - I started thinking that the DRO was showing up & somehow this would mean that I couldn't carry on with my contract. Which seems silly because I pay in advance.
What happens with things like mobile phone contracts / www contracts - any of the things we take for granted. Does it become difficult to set any of these up from scratch ? What about electricity - would I have to go on a meter if they knew ?
Any experience good (???? hopefully) / difficult about what happens next gratefully received.

hi, i cant really say i had any trouble as i moved my dd's before i got my dro.i did it when i opened my new bank account and it all went smoothly..i think iff you had no debt with your phone contract then you should be fine...have you not kept your old electricity supplier..iff you are going with a new one then they may make you have a prepayment meter..im not too sure on that one...sorry i couldnt be more help..:)

wba31

FireyFaerie wrote: »

I apologise as to how my posts have come across. I am not obsessed so to speak with gaining a loan, it is more fear of not being able to cope. Obviously because of the DRO I am unable to save. Which means when the children need clothes or have birthdays, or things break.. I feel lost as to what to do because I have no money to replace anything. My last budgeting loan bought my children clothes, items in the house that were desperately needed etc. I try hard to buy everything second hand where I can, I am just struggling royally. When my DRO went through I was pregnant with one child. It took around 8 months from me first going to apply for it for it to all go through due to my name being on a joint bank account and problems trying to get it removed, along with an unhelpful advisor who took weeks to do anything and was never contactable. But because I had already paid him I could not ask anyone else to do my DRO.
I am stressed beyond belief, because even though it may not seem it from my posts, I am desperate to become debt free and get things straight. The debts I have were caused by my now ex husband, and because we were married my name was on most things including all bills etc because I "tried" to deal with the finances. And yes.. it was my fault for allowing to be controlled by him, so no point me moaning about it now.
I just hate this stressed panicky feeling that I cannot provide what is needed for my children. My eldest has just had his birthday and he had barely any presents and had a party that was just children turning up to play with him. I hate that I cannot afford new clothes, even though I buy things from the charity shop etc.
You are right though, once this loan has been paid off if I get another one I will just be paying that off. But my reasoning was I cannot save more than £200 (I think thats right?), but if I get a budgeting loan its just like having savings in my hand I suppose.. because I still pay it back.
I apologise for my defensive post also, have had a very busy day with lots of stress, and my finances are almost impossible at the moment.
February just seems such a long long way away. But on the plus side.. since leaving my now ex husband I have not gotten any more debts. Not a single one!! Every bill is paid on time and in full. Its just a shame my credit will be rubbish for the next 10 or so years I suppose.

I just think you'd be in a better position when your DRO goes through by saving the money you were paying your social fund loan with, and avoiding borrowing at all costs. Borrowing money is easy, and you pay it back because you have to.
Saving is a skill that needs learning, hell I've been a debt advisor for 5/6 years (cant remember exactly) and ive only learnt to save over the last 18 months, because i had to in order to get married. Even now im a crap saver, the last bits of my money in my account go into savings the day before i get paid, whereas my wife pays a set amount into savings the day after she gets paid.

Having been someone who stuck stuff on an interest free credit card and paid it off, i have actually found more joy in saving for items and buying them when i can afford them. I have also found in saving first i am no longer as wasteful. I wouldnt mind a new, bigger TV now it's in my living room and not in my bedroom of my parents house, and the old me would stick it on a credit card and pay it off over a few months. Now i look at my savings, and look at the price of TV's and think "actually, my old one is 32" so not tiny, and it still works well, so no point in replacing it..."

Also add figures to save for birthdays etc into your budget, and make sure you put it away each month. you can budget for these items, you are allowed to!!

Orville

FireyFaerie wrote: »

I do agree. I just thought you were not allowed to save ANYTHING while under a DRO? Is that correct? If I were allowed to save my £50 a month when it is not needed, then obviously that would enable me to save for birthdays and christmas it is spent most months on things, but if I were to quit smoking and try and budget a bit better on my food shops and batch cook etc I would have a little more free for saving.

If you can manage to save any money. Who's gonna know if you have it tucked under your floorboards rather then in the bank?. Not talking millions here but if your under 300 i'd say you'd be ok so don't worry too much

jasonwatkins

hi,

just wanted to ask a few questions if that's ok. I've tried to read as much of the thread as I can but 167 pages is a bit much at this time of the morning

I'm currently on Incapacity Benefit, but I'm facing my ESA assessment in a fortnight, which I fully expect to fail considering you apparently have to just turn up and be breathing to be found fit for work.

Worst case scenario is that they ignore my sleep apnea and find me fit for all work and put me on JSA immediately. This will slice my income in half. Although that will make my application for a DRO pretty much set in stone as i'll fall well within the requirements.

On IB, my income is £432 a month and my expenditure is roughly £382, albeit with a bit of creative accounting regarding groceries & gas/electric e.t.c. - nothing too outrageous, but it's more than I probably do actually spend. My total debt is in the £5.5k ballpark, although I haven't added it up properly at the moment.

So apologies if these have already been asked and answered but, if the DRO is accepted ...

Will I have to give up things like sky and my contract mobile ? I have no debts with either

Will my basic bank account at barclays be frozen?

I read one of the posts in the last page or so where the poster was apparently moving their DD's to another account so it made me wonder if i'd need to open another basic bank account just in case ?

Again, sorry if these have already been asked but any help or clues gratefully received, thankyou

scarlet55

jasonwatkins wrote: »

hi,

just wanted to ask a few questions if that's ok. I've tried to read as much of the thread as I can but 167 pages is a bit much at this time of the morning

I'm currently on Incapacity Benefit, but I'm facing my ESA assessment in a fortnight, which I fully expect to fail considering you apparently have to just turn up and be breathing to be found fit for work.

Worst case scenario is that they ignore my sleep apnea and find me fit for all work and put me on JSA immediately. This will slice my income in half. Although that will make my application for a DRO pretty much set in stone as i'll fall well within the requirements.

On IB, my income is £432 a month and my expenditure is roughly £382, albeit with a bit of creative accounting regarding groceries & gas/electric e.t.c. - nothing too outrageous, but it's more than I probably do actually spend. My total debt is in the £5.5k ballpark, although I haven't added it up properly at the moment.

So apologies if these have already been asked and answered but, if the DRO is accepted ...

Will I have to give up things like sky and my contract mobile ? I have no debts with either

Will my basic bank account at barclays be frozen?

I read one of the posts in the last page or so where the poster was apparently moving their DD's to another account so it made me wonder if i'd need to open another basic bank account just in case ?

Again, sorry if these have already been asked but any help or clues gratefully received, thankyou

hi jason, you sound perfect for a dro..your mobile should be fine iff you have no debt with it...my adviser put my virgin contract down as 'other' on my expenditure..failing that just add a bit more on your housekeeping and pay it out of that...hope this helps..good luck..:(

scarlet55

i forgot to add..iff you have debts with your bank then yes, you need to open another basic bank account..the co-op cashminder is very good..