DRO checks

Jo_from_wirral

hi, my apologies if this is posted in the wrong place, I'm a forum virgin!
Ok, so I've applied via National Debtline for a DRO (debt relief order) I fulfil all the criteria so am just waiting for the forms to arrive.
Just wondering while I wait for those, so I can get organised, what sort of documents I'll have to send off with my application. I'm on benefits, so I assume I'll need to find letters that prove my income, will I need to track down phone numbers for them to ring different departments, or will just copies of the letters do? How much checking will they need to do. Also, likewise with bank statements. Will I need to provide copies of outgoing bills, as lots of mine are paid online...I'm thinking it's quite hard to prove some of these things if I can't provide physical evidence! Do the Insolvency Officers take anything on trust? I don't want to risk my application being rejected because they cant get through to the right department of DWP, or because I can't prove how much I've paid for certain things?
I was feeling quietly confident and relieved that this could be the answer to my prayers, but the more I think of what might delay the application the more I worry! does anyone know how long it usually takes to complete the checks before applications are confirmed or denied?
Thanks so much, sorry if I've waffled on a bit!
-Jo

DorisTrousers

In the absence of benefit letters, most intermediaries will accept a bank statement that clearly shows the amount and frequency of the benefits you are paid. Award notices are preferable of course, as they have extra info such as whether any deductions are being made, and what for.

Usually the major bills can be evidenced the same way as well, and nobody will be passing judgement on any discretionary spending, although if there is gambling on there you may have to answer a question or two on that.

Bar that, the process is very user friendly and you have little to fear.

misschatterbox

I;m 6 months into a DRO and the forms I needed to send in was letters from the benefits people, in my case I had to call the ESA and carers allowance lines and then also my local council to get proof of housing benefit and council tax benefit too. I need to tell Step Change (who I went through) acount numbers for everything including water company, how much owed etc but didn't need to send any bills in. The main thing they wanted was all the proof of benefits

They wanted that at the debtlines end so they could then submit the DRO which was granted within 48 hours. You can check online and see it's gone through days if not weeks before you get the form through the post.

Jo_from_wirral

Thanks guys for your help. I got my forms yesterday & have sent off for my credit report (yikes) and filled out the bulk of the application, so just need now to find and make copies of all my incomings and post everything off! Fingers crossed it all works out. Thanks once again
oh, do you know if they keep all these letters, or send them onto the Insolvency officer, or back to me?

NorthFin

I wonder what percentage get turned down, and what the reasons are?

misschatterbox

Jo_from_wirral wrote: »

Thanks guys for your help. I got my forms yesterday & have sent off for my credit report (yikes) and filled out the bulk of the application, so just need now to find and make copies of all my incomings and post everything off! Fingers crossed it all works out. Thanks once again
oh, do you know if they keep all these letters, or send them onto the Insolvency officer, or back to me?

I never got them back. When I was on the phone to Step Change after submitting all my forms she logged onto the Insolvency website while I was there and registered my claim, 24 hours I checked on the Insolvency website and saw it had been granted, very easy to do. Oh and they didn't need my credit report, I rung up to check and she said oh if you give me permission to get it for you online now I can log all those details, I said yes and saved a lot of time. If you go through a debt helpline and they say you meet criteria and have been completely honest with incomes, outgoings etc your almost guaranteed to be granted the DRO. Just wish I'd known about 2 years ago as would have saved myself almost £2000 paying to a DMP