dro & possible new job

sortingdebts

Hi folks,

Well, I'm not very far away from half the way through my DRO! So pleased it went ok - seem to have stopped getting pester letters from my creditor too finally.

When I applied (and successfully got) for my DRO, my circumstances obviously weren't good - apart from debt problems now sorted, I was (and still am) unemployed.

I have some possible part time job opportunities coming up in the near future, which in my situation would be great to accept if all goes well - but I'm aware of my DRO and any major change in monetary circumstance that may affect it.

So I have a couple of brief questions for those knowledgeable or anyone with a good opinion or experience of such things.

1. i believe I would have to inform the IS about a new job/change in my working/money circumstances?

2. the jobs I could possibly be taking, are comparable to the money I currently get under JSA. (although 1 of them could give up to £30 more over a fortnight).

I could give more info on my situation if needed, but wanted some opinions on whether it could affect my DRO.

Thanks for reading anyhow.

longtermplanner

£30 a fortnight more than JSA isn't likely to take you over the "less than £50 a month spare" test I would have thought, especially as you will probably be picking up some extra costs for commuting.

In your situation, this sort of part-time work to improve your CV sounds like a good idea.

Could you go back to the person that set up your DRO and ask them? If not, perhaps call National Debtline and they could assess if your extra income would push you over the limit.

sortingdebts

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah I don't think it would affect it either - but it maybe best me speaking to someone at ND. (They are who I sorted the Dro with too).

Thing is, if a great full time job came along, I'd be quite happy enough with my change in circumstances and deal with the debt because I was earning again. But because I've been in this position for a long time now - got the debt sorted with the Dro, I feel that maybe something part time may work (and as I said above, I have a couple of possibilities through people I know that may happen), but keep my Dro intact, while I build myself back up work-wise by actually having some form of employment.

I guess its like some people look at it as a clean slate once the Dro is complete.

National_Debtline

Hi SD

Sorry, have only just come across this thread. I hope you've been able to speak with one of my colleagues since posting, but if not:

1. Yes, you should report any material changes to the IS.

2. Without knowing your full circumstances, I would be very surprised if the changes described here had any advesre effect on your DRO. As LTP says above the extra £30 will probably be cancelled out to some degree by travel costs, lunches etc.

It's worth pointing out that the DRO is not deliberately designed to put people off trying to find work for 12 months, but in some cases this can be an unintended consequence!

Kind regards

Dennis
Twitter: @natdebtline

sortingdebts

Thanks for the reply Dennis,

I haven't called yet regarding this - but at least it gives me a rough idea that I should be ok. Still, if the opportunity arose, I will contact ND first just to triple check.

Yeah I understand that. From my point of view, the way things are at the moment, I don't see my circumstances drastically improving to the point that the Dro would be removed. The best I'm trying is to get some degree of work, even if it gave me similar amounts of money to what I currently get. Obviously, if something *did* come along amazing, then I'd accept the fact the Dro would be gone and I'd happily deal with it. But as things are, my situation is that I'm trying hard, nothing is working - but I continue to try.

As you say, in a way, its an unintended consequence of my circumstances. And if that's how it goes to the end - I'll be happy to accept my 'clean slate'.

Thanks again for replying.

Rabbitqueen

Depends on how much money is left over a month from your expenses. If it's under £50 your DRO will remain in check. Do some calculations. I just been awarded carers allowance with a back payment and have to inform them. Call them they'll send out a form requesting evidence and where the money's going. Xxx

sortingdebts

Yeah, if the opportunity comes up to take one of these part time jobs, I will contact ND and check whether it will affect my Dro or not.

I have done some checks myself - (I store all my debt info on ND's money steps website, so it's all there and easy to add/edit details) from what I can see, I would still be far under the requirement.

[Deleted User]

You have to factor in any probation period... yeah I urge caution on this one because you can only go for a DRO once every 6 years

Perhaps one day they will raise the DRO memorandum period to that of the 2 year really probation of any job?

That said I was once rebuffed a job offer because it was very much deemed in my 'best interests' to let a DRO run it's course, after being questioned and that was the financial sector!! didn't stop me getting a job afterwards might I add

So this was something I grappled with a couple of times in truth but then 'good' jobs were lost couple of months down the line or there was a twist of bad fate, so I only shudder at really what could have happened :cool: