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1 month payment break for unexpected costs?

Has anyone any experience of doing this with Stepchange? Car needs servicing in September and already been warned that cam belt will need changing so looking at £500 plus. I started DMP in March, had to reduce payments from June as original budget was too tight but not yet been able to build up enough of a contingency fund.

Im going to really try and be tight to avoid this happening, scrimp like mad and see what more can be ebayed - but if I have no other choice than to ask for a 1 month break on £450 payment or a reduced payment that month to help cover the bill, how does this work? Id rather not do it so soon into the DMP, particularly as I had to reduce the amount I pay which has now all been agreed by all creditors.

Anyone any experience of this?
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Comments

  • This happened to me last year.

    I had an unexpected car bill.

    Called SC, they advised of the minimum payment I could make which was about 10% of my normal payment. They advised me to keep all receipts for the car work etc just incase my creditors asked for it but they never did.

    As long as you make A payment and not NO payment you should be OK! :)
    LBM(2) Jan 2014 - Debt £17500 :eek:
    Current Debt: £16411.26

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  • Puzzcat
    Puzzcat Posts: 4,200 Forumite
    Hi Coinmachine.. Maybe post this over on the dmp mutual thread. I'm sure this has come up recently..


    Puzz. x
    Christmas 2020 £109
    I love my dmp started in Nov 13 with SC. Self Managed 2016 57% done
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    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4768685
  • seanavfc92
    seanavfc92 Posts: 231 Forumite
    I imagine if it's for just one month, you could offer to pay each creditor the minimum of £5 and use the rest to cover the unexpected cost?
    "No sacrifice, no victory"
    - Transformers (2007)
  • spicefox
    spicefox Posts: 21 Forumite
    This happened to me last year.

    I had an unexpected car bill.

    Called SC, they advised of the minimum payment I could make which was about 10% of my normal payment. They advised me to keep all receipts for the car work etc just incase my creditors asked for it but they never did.

    As long as you make A payment and not NO payment you should be OK! :)

    Exactly this. It's best to inform them of what's happening that just skip out on the month.
    DFW NERD NUMBER: 1479
    Debt Free ETA: 30/04/2017
  • sourcrates
    sourcrates Posts: 30,598 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    I would imagine your car is essential to you, yes ?
    Just go ahead and get it sorted, if you have to miss a months payment, then so be it.
    Just write and tell them what you are going to do, I would not look for there approval or otherwise here.
    If they throw a wobbly, just self manage your DMP.
    The world will not end for missing one payment ;) !!!
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter
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