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StepChange_Pavan

MRSG2B wrote: »

Hi there

I've been paying off my debts via CCCS for almost 2 years. I am now almost 7 months pregnant and am going to be starting my Maternity Leave soon. As I will be receiving SMP whilst on ML I obviously won't be able to keep to my usual repayments, and will in fact not be able to make very large payments at all whilst on leave.

My question is how can I work out my budget for ML to reduce my payments? And what is the minimum payment I can accept CCCS/creditors to accept whilst on leave? Obviously once I am back at work I will be happy to increase payments again.

Thanks in advance!

Hi MRSG2B and thanks for your post.

If you know what you’ll be receiving when you go on maternity, I’d recommend that you give us a call and we can discuss your options. Provided that you can comfortable afford it, it could mean reducing your payments to the minimum whilst you’re off work with the view to increasing them again when you return.

Kind regards,
Pavan

StepChange_Pavan

serendipiciousuk wrote: »

Hi there,

Please help. my husband and i have managed to get ourselves into a total of £9000 debt over 3 credit cards...we started with 1 then got another to pay off the other etc.

My husband now out of work (actively seeking) and we are beginning to really struggle.

we have been looking at loan companies or ones that take over your debt but not sure how they all work...they say oh pay what you can and you will be debt free after 3 years. How does that work. Also once the three years is up...can you get credit again....ie mortgage.

Im really making myself ill with worry.

Hi serendipiciousuk and thanks for your post.

Try not to worry as you’ve come to the right place for help and advice. We’d really need to look at your situation in more detail to be able to advise you but if you think those offers are too good to be true, they usually are.

You can visit our online debt advice service Debt Remedy (http://www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu) to help you find a solution to your debt problem quickly.

Debt Remedy will assist you in completing a financial statement with information on your household, employment, income, expenditure and debts. From this the service will automatically determine your options.

To help you fill in the form, it’s best to gather together information about:
• Your income
• Your expenditure
• The creditors you owe money to

You’ll receive a downloadable advice booklet providing a tailored solution for you based on your current circumstances and advice on ways you may be able to improve your situation.

If you’re not confident with computers or would like to speak to an advisor then you’re welcome to ring our free Helpline on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm.

If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.

Kind regards,
Pavan

jennyrob669

I have been in debt for about 10 years, always max out a credit card, then get a loan to pay it off, then use a credit card again to pay bank charges. The bank won't help me they just flog more products at me.
I am approximately £9000 over a load, overdraft and two credit cards. I have always kept up the payments, never missed one, I've just been living like this for years not really solving anything.
I need to get rid of this debt permanently as I have been accepted for a mortgage (I must have good credit!) but cannot afford the payments with my partner. (Go figure)
I have had so many cards and loans over the years from various banks, I have none of the paper work. Is it possible to use my credit history to see if I ever paid for PPI? Is there anyway to track down that information?
I'm now at the point were the interest of my debt is killing my bank account and its starting to build up again.
Any advice? Please help!!!!

weeyin73

Hi, looking for advice please. not sure where to turn.

i am self employed - made loss last year in 1st year trading, manage to scrape by each month with what i make and csa monies, mum and partner.
partner has TD just finished and awaiting ex to sell house to complete this but i have about 8k debt from 7 sources, ods, debt from when single mum and split with ex. also cc and council tax, i also struggle to pay my csa as son lives with ex so owe them about £800.
what i need is a 1 payment per month to cover all and to get some off my back, how can i do this as self employed and what is best advice.
i have been struggling paying some debts off at £20 a month for CC, £25 for eon, etc etc and not having regular income is a nightmare to juggle these as well as my dds now. i am keeping on top of the bills for present house, cc gas and leccy all up to date as is my rent. just need to stop tying to find money for all these payments that i am struggling with.

also had sherrif officers at door, wasnt in but any advice on how to deal with if they return - not sure who they represent as could be bank or c tax!!

StepChange_Pavan

jennyrob669 wrote: »

I have been in debt for about 10 years, always max out a credit card, then get a loan to pay it off, then use a credit card again to pay bank charges. The bank won't help me they just flog more products at me.
I am approximately £9000 over a load, overdraft and two credit cards. I have always kept up the payments, never missed one, I've just been living like this for years not really solving anything.
I need to get rid of this debt permanently as I have been accepted for a mortgage (I must have good credit!) but cannot afford the payments with my partner. (Go figure)
I have had so many cards and loans over the years from various banks, I have none of the paper work. Is it possible to use my credit history to see if I ever paid for PPI? Is there anyway to track down that information?
I'm now at the point were the interest of my debt is killing my bank account and its starting to build up again.
Any advice? Please help!!!!

Hi jennyrob669 and thanks for your post.

With regards to reclaiming PPI, there are some really useful guides on this website which also details what to do if you can’t find your paperwork: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/

It’s not a good idea to enter into a mortgage if you can’t afford the repayments. I’d recommend that you put together a realistic budget to work out what you can comfortably afford.

We can help you to do this and also look at your options with your debt. However, if you are looking at a debt solution, this will impact your credit rating.

If you’d like us to look at your situation in more detail you can use our online debt advice service Debt Remedy (http://www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu) or call our free helpline on 0800 138 1111.

If you do take out a new loan to cover your existing debt, it’s important that you can afford the repayments and you must close the old accounts to prevent you from using any of the credit again.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Pavan

wannabee_in_credit

Hi
Just a quick question to you about taking out car and house insurance while on a dmp. Are you not allowed to pay monthly for these insurances as it involves taking out credit? Just there's a bit of a discussion on the dmp board and I assumed it would be ok for paying for insurance. I'm now wondering if I need to save up lump sums to pay car and home insurance so as not to break the agreement of my dmp.
Thanks

StepChange_Pavan

weeyin73 wrote: »

Hi, looking for advice please. not sure where to turn.

i am self employed - made loss last year in 1st year trading, manage to scrape by each month with what i make and csa monies, mum and partner.
partner has TD just finished and awaiting ex to sell house to complete this but i have about 8k debt from 7 sources, ods, debt from when single mum and split with ex. also cc and council tax, i also struggle to pay my csa as son lives with ex so owe them about £800.
what i need is a 1 payment per month to cover all and to get some off my back, how can i do this as self employed and what is best advice.
i have been struggling paying some debts off at £20 a month for CC, £25 for eon, etc etc and not having regular income is a nightmare to juggle these as well as my dds now. i am keeping on top of the bills for present house, cc gas and leccy all up to date as is my rent. just need to stop tying to find money for all these payments that i am struggling with.

also had sherrif officers at door, wasnt in but any advice on how to deal with if they return - not sure who they represent as could be bank or c tax!!

Hi weeyin73 and thanks for your post.

It’s good that you’re managing to keep on top of your priority bills and it’s just as important that you come to an arrangement to maintain your rent.

We’d need to discuss your situation in more detail to be able to help you. We have specialist counsellors that advise people that are self employed and they will be able to help you to compile a budget.

I’d really recommend that you call our free helpline on 0800 138 1111 as soon as possible so we can give you some immediate advice. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm.

Kind regards,
Pavan

StepChange_Pavan

wannabee_in_credit wrote: »

Hi
Just a quick question to you about taking out car and house insurance while on a dmp. Are you not allowed to pay monthly for these insurances as it involves taking out credit? Just there's a bit of a discussion on the dmp board and I assumed it would be ok for paying for insurance. I'm now wondering if I need to save up lump sums to pay car and home insurance so as not to break the agreement of my dmp.
Thanks

Hi wannabee_in_credit and thanks for your post.

It’s absolutely fine for you to pay monthly for insurances and it won’t break the terms of your DMP.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Pavan

jimmy2bellies

Hi i have been struggling with my debt for over 2 years now.I have 3 CCJs which i pay without fail,and now have 2 other debtors threatening action.My problem is my wife has just returned to work and is claiming tax credits and is refusing to pay anything towards the debts as she says they are not in her name.I now only get DLA and have been paying CCJs out of that.Can i ask even though the debt is only in my name can my wife be forced to pay them?

thomasb4

Hi,
Im hoping someone can give me some advice. Unfortunately iv been stupid enough to get caught in with payday loans (from 3 different companies) there is no way I can pay all 3 off they total to over £1200 inc interest. I have spoke to the companies but been told all they can do is charge me the interest and I pay the full amount on my next pay day, which obviously isnt solving the problem. Iv cancelled there direct debits and got a new bank card, waiting for there collections agents to contact me and just looking for advice on how to best deal with them?