Going Bankrupt shortly…Help with PIP and ID

jason909

Hello,

I work full-time I've had help filling out my income and expenditure, just been warded PIP and as this helps pay for my care found some sites that say you don't need to declare this benefit only wages? Can anyone advise please?

Also do I need to take ID with me to court and dress up in a suit etc?

Any other info I need to take such as bank statements or wage slips?

Finally I've heard you are invited to a interview by the receiver what is this like? Is it formal etc..

jason909

Thanks for everyones help..

One last question can you get the Court Fee £180 waived if you claim PIP?

fermi

You list all income, but it should not be taken in any IPA.

ID yes. Just be smart. Suit if you like, but not essential.

No bank statements or wages slips needed for court. Just you, the forms, and the fee.

Most likely you will have a telephone interview. Sounds scary but honestly in reality not that much.

Details of possible fee remissions are in the pdf leaflets here: http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=4396

owlet

When you list your PIP income, you can say that it is used for care and/or mobility to enable you to continue working. Show the pip money coming in as separate income and also show it going out as expenditure, either as a lump sum as care needs or broken down.
There is also a section on the form for added info where you can explain further if you need.
You can also discuss it with the OR at your interview so there is no doubt.

jason909

Today is the day!

Arrived a few hours early so sat in coffee shop. Strangely enough I don't feel that nervous just want it out the way now.

fermi

Good luck. It will be fine.

owlet

Hope you got on ok, come back & update :-)

jason909

Well I arrived in court was greeted by security they asked what I'm attending court for and explained bankruptcy they where extremely nice and understanding they told me to go for a coffee in the Cafe for 10 mins and go to the correct floor.

The place was actually very laid back, I went to the cashier and he went through all my forms and asked for the money then provided a receipt. He told me that only in extreme cases does the judge refuses a bankruptcy but not to worry and I will be taken to the correct area in 5 mins. A few mins later a young female holding a huge handful of paperwork greeted me and we went to a reception area. She said bankrupt cases take 3 mins max in most cases and people going bankrupt are seen first. The seating area began to fill with tenants getting evicted and owing money etc. Then a bell went and as promised I was first to be seen. It was a large room more like a meeting room you would see in a hotel and the judge was sat behind a large desk in a suit he greeted me and asked how I was feeling.

He said I see you owe £**** and cannot pay is that correct? I said yes your honor, he asked what my illness was and advised him he wished me well and gave me a quite a caring/understand smile, he then asked have I sought help in terms of my debts (it did say this in my forms) I said yes CAB.

He then produced his stamp and stamped my form and said you are now bankrupt.

I was treated exceptionally well by the courts with the upmost respect and understanding. Even though some people have a big sigh of relief by this stage, I'm probably more worried about been interviewed over the phone and going through everything. I've ordered bank statements ready to send when I'm requested, i just hope they don't ask me to pay more than what I'm expecting to pay or else there is no point working.

I've checked by details on the bankruptcy website online and it states I'm bankrupt for 12 months, can this change once I get interviewed?

I hope this post gives a better understanding of what happens in court and all I can say is try not to worry about the courts.. I've read hundreds of posts over the years and all have been positive.

owlet

I'm glad it went ok for you. Filling in the forms is the hardest part!
You will get an automatic discharge after 12 months. Unfortunately they don't do early discharge any more.
Time to relax now . Hopefully you won't have to wait too long until your interview. My OR was very nice, so fingers crossed you get the same!

Edit: The year flies by anyway, so don't worry about that :-)

dancingfairy

Glad it went well, to be honest the court officials are there to do a job, not to judge anybody. They're too busy worrying about getting their own paperwork done and getting everybody through the system to be judging people!
df