Can anyone advise me about a LILA?

karenk857

Hi all,
Really hope someone can give me a bit of a helping hand, find myself very confused today! Basically, my partner and myself had been on a DMP with CCCS for over 2 years but really struggling to pay it so I had decided to go down the Low Income Low Asset route on my own. We spoke to CCCS about this who said it was fine, I met the criteria to do it (I don't wrk at the moment and have 4 young children so get CHB and CTC). Immediately after speaking to CCCS, I spoke to Accountant in Bankruptcy and I'm pretty sure I told them my exact situation but I can't remember clearly as it was a few weeks ago now.

Fast forward to today, I've just raised the £100 to pay for sequestration so went to CAB for help t make sure I filled the form out correctly. The man I spoke to has completely confused me. Firstly he said that I can't do a LILA on my own, I need representation (fair enough, that's why I went!), then he said that because my partner and myself had been in the DMP together, then it wa highly unlikely that I'd be able to do the LILA on my own. This is completely contradictory to what I've previously been told, does anyone know if it's true? He also said he'd never heard of the CCCS and that the advice they give is probably wrong as it'll be given by minimally trained people.

I've tried to get through to AiB but can't seem to today, I feel completely panicked about it all again. The guy also said that if I apply on my own and get anything wrong, then I'll be liable to keep paying the debts and I can't apply again.

I'd really appreciate ANY advice/experience, thanks.

broxiebear1

hi karen first of all dont panick . is there any debt owed by both of you if so then i think your partner would be involved in br. cant you try money advice scotlland think they are caled money maters now and get a second opinion have you got the br forms if not get them and have a look the questions are straightforward and there is a help page . try and look at aib website just google aib you will find what you are looking for there , someone ill be along soon with more advice COOLCAITE , HATTYBE where are you lol
above all DONT PANICK
broxie x

coolcait

Hi Karen
I’ve just lost two attempts at posting a reply, so sorry if this seems rude, short and to the point!
- if you’re still in Manchester, are you sure you can apply for LILA? It’s not impossible, but it would only happen under very specific circumstances.
- Are you sure you meet all the conditions for LILA? It’s not just about getting CHB and CTC
- You can do a LILA on your own. No problem. No need for representation.
- You can only apply for LILA as an individual. It doesn’t matter how many people you’ve been in a DMP with. Maybe CAB guy meant that your partner can be chased for any joint debts if you go bankrupt and he doesn’t
- AiB are shut until Tuesday, but their website is still open for a look around www.aib.gov.uk. Hopefully it has info that will help you.
HTH

karenk857

Should have mentioned that I'm in Scotland now! When I spoke to aib, I'm sure they said I met all the conditions (But it's possible I'm getting muddled up with what cccs said though...). I rang National Debtline yesterday and they've made things a lot clearer. The lady said that because we live together, the whole of the household income has to be taken into account, and the money I have coming in has to pay a proportion of the household bills. Well, I get almost the same in tax credits and chb as my other half gets in wages so should be almost 50/50. Hope this makes sense, I'm rubbish at explaining things! Thanks both for your help and advice, I really appreciate it!