Counselling Fees Are They Allowed?

Darceydoo

Hi everyone

I am in the middle of agreeing my IPA. They came back to me with a surplus of £197 a month. I disputed this and went back with evidence on why and it went down to £100 a month, and I am still waiting for response

To cut a long story short, I have been in an abusive relationship for 6 years, getting into debt, having a salary cut by £10k due to redundancy, losing my house and going bankrupt this year has not helped either. Last weekend I was hit again and I went to the Dr and he put me back on Fluoxetine, and called Social Services which I am dealing with. He also has put me touch with a Counselling Service which I have just filled out the consultation forms for, this has cost me £30. The sessions will cost £38 per week, however those people on hardship can get a discount. My Dr has said he will write to the OR ( Harrisons ) to support my Counselling.

What I want to know is how does the IS view this type of thing, is it a luxury? Will they allow this to be in SOA?

I am at my wits end, as I now have to find somewhere else to live with my daughter and if it was not for her then to be honest I would just end it as I have had enough, I can't cope any more and I know I need help, I just need the strength to face yet another upheaval in my life. I am looking at rental properties then kidding myself as a) I have no deposit, let alone a 6 month deposit because I am BR and b) the thought of explaining my situation to different agents fills me with dread, only to be turned down

What do you guys think?

Action_Jackson

Sounds like your suffering from a lot of stress, and you need that counselling.

If your doctor is writing to the OR explaining that you have to pay for the counselling as a medical need, then they should certainly uphold what the doctor tells them.

In theory, if they dug their heels in, the OR could go to court for an IPO (won't happen), but in view of your circumstances the judgement would probably be in your favour.

It's the same thing with things like gym membership - if there's a doctor-confirmed medical need, e.g. to help with a diagnosed back problem, then it will be classed as a reasonable domestic need.

The OR will try and get as much as they can for your creditors, but being punitive and cruel is not what they're about.

Have you contacted your council about your housing issues?

Have you tried posting your domestic expenses here - some extra eyeballs might mention something you've missed or are not claiming enough for. Remember, if you have less than £20 surplus, then you won't get an IPA and could be discharged in 12 months with no ongoing IPA obligation.

For what it's worth, I'm sure your situation will improve and I hope you can look forward to a better times.

mattannar

a difficult and stressful situation for you. If the OR excepts the cost of £38 a week then you will have no spare to pay into an IPA. The problem being is that the counselling would have to last a year. Because as soon as you stop going your situation has changed , you will then ahve to report this to the OR and if there is a surplus of over £20 you will be liable for an IPA from then.

Which means you could be another 8 months or so before an IPA started if your counselling goes well.

I believe that the OR will agree to the payment but wether you can make it last a year or the OR agrees for a year is another matter.

Darceydoo

Counselling for a year!!! I never thought it would take that long. I will be discharged on the 20th June 2014, can the OR apply an Ipa after I have been discharged??? I have my consultation on the 4th
November so I will know more then and I am also going to ask for a discount aswell.

jacques_chirac

Your GP should be able to refer you for counselling at no cost to you. Go back to them and ask for a referral to an NHS service.

Darceydoo

It was my Dr that out me in touch with these guys. They are bit government backed or by the NHS. Perhaps it is my area? I did google for free counselling in my area but all that come up was private people or GCS

mattannar

Darceydoo wrote: »

Counselling for a year!!! I never thought it would take that long. I will be discharged on the 20th June 2014, can the OR apply an Ipa after I have been discharged??? I have my consultation on the 4th
November so I will know more then and I am also going to ask for a discount aswell.

No , I did not realise that you were that far into your br. But if the counselling stops before your discharge you will have to tell the OR.
Post br you cannot get an IPA.

MikeJO

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Your GP should be able to refer you for counselling at no cost to you. Go back to them and ask for a referral to an NHS service.

Minimum two year waiting list for that in my area, so not always an option.

sleepygirl126

go to womens aid hon.....they can offer you a place to stay,counselling,financial advice and help you find somewhere to rent
It must be a hugely traumatic time for you but they really can help xx

tigerfeet2006

I second Women's Aid. They are a brilliant organisation. Please talk to them, they will understand.

http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic_violence_topic.asp?section=0001000100220041