applying for DRO with National Debtline?

T76

My parents have been having a nightmare applying for a Debt Relief Order with the National Debtline and I was wondering if anyone else was having similar problems and if there was any light at the end of the tunnel?

They contacted them twice in April, after which time they had sorted out a budget and confirmed that DRO was the route to go.
They recieved a budget in the post and contacted them again on 2nd May, to advise that they had still not received the DRO application pack.
They had a cover letter last Tuesday, confirming a pck was enclosed - but no pack itself, so they called them again.
They have just contacted them again this morning, as still no pack and after a long conversation where they were treated like complete idiots - the lady said she would arrange for another pack to be sent out.

This seems to be taking a lot of time (and I think my parents are beginning to wish they hadn't cancelled their bankruptcy court appointment for 1st May)

gettingoutofdebt

I thought that DRO's were all done through the CAB?

The National Debtline site mentions:

How do I apply for a DRO?

You apply on-line to the Official Receivers office through a special web application form with the help of an advice agency. There is no court hearing. You can only apply through a special adviser called an ‘approved intermediary’ who is allowed to make the application for you. National Debtline has approved intermediaries who can help you

It looks like their service is an intermediary service and would recommend your parents contact the CAB. I know that there are other people on here that have been through the DRO process so hopefully they will be able to provide some insight.

tigerfeet2006

GOOD the NDL are one of a number of intermediatarys (arrgh! spelling) that can organise DRO. Unfortunatly with it being a new thing everyone is experiancing backlogs as people try and get on them. The training seems to have been a bit hit and miss to and there has already been problems thrown up.

T76 as GOOD says it may be an idea to go and see the CAB but they also are experiancing long waiting lists. People who are doing/applying for DRO's are ver much guinea pigs at the moment in a very flawed system.

Godiva500

There are long waiting lists wherever you go for advice. I went to CCCS first, but was not very happy, so I changed to NDL. I must admit I have found them fabulous - very supportive and professional. I think the post for most debt charities is sent second class, so sometimes takes ages to arrive. Is your local PO at fault? I would check with them.

elfieb

I too was waiting for a DRO through NDL, when I contacted them last week, they told me the waiting time was six weeks!!!

Please bear with me with what I am going to say, I know it a very dodgy subject BUT...............

IF you have done all your research regarding a DRO, and you know it is the best thing for you........

contact Baines and Ernst!!!!!!!!:eek:

I simply could not wait the six weeks for NDL, so I rang B&E last Thursday, and the application was completed within an hour. They even emailed me the bar code so I didnt have to wait for post. I am waiting today to see if my application has been accepted.

I cant tell you strongly enough though, dont bother with B&E for advice, you will get none. NDL and CCCS are the best for that, but using them as an intermediary is just a cheeky way of bypassing the lengthly queues with the debt charities.