I think StepChange are going to close our plan

TheBanker

marriedworriedmum wrote: »

The advice/reassurrance from you all has been fantastic I just hope they can take this months payment and don't close our plan!

I am sure it will be fine, I know this is an unusual and worrying situation for you, but I expect Stepchange deal with people who've missed payments for various reasons all the time. Call them as soon as you can because it will be a weight off your mind.

I am the same, I always imagine the situation is going to be much worse than it actually is.

Don't be too cross with your husband, I lost my dad recently and I was in a real state, I still am to an extent. I forgot to do a few important things including missing an exam, but everyone has been understanding.

StepChange_Jen

marriedworriedmum wrote: »

Could anyone please advise? It's long so if you make it to the end I appreciate it!

We have been with StepChange since 2009 never missed or made a reduced payment they have been fantastic and we have never had any problems from creditors.
Fast forward to this year - without doubt worst year of our lives financially and family wise and we have made a couple of agreed reduced payments.

In August we decided to review our budget and agreed a new monthly repayment to start that month, this was a Friday. The young lady did suggest that we cancel the DD and phone up/bank transfer to make a one off payment and then re set up with direct debit as it was too late to amend Augusts DD.

All seemed ok left all this up to my husband as without boring anyone! I have had a lot going on. Fast forward to today where I was going through the desk upstairs which I rarely use (looking for car documents)
I found a letter from StepChange informing us of missed payment in Aug and a letter informing us of missed payment in Sept, I felt sick (I have looked at post regularly and did notice a spate of missed payments from lloyds but didn't take much notice as this happens quite a lot with them since the start even when they've had the payment)

I logged on to my online DMP straight away and the direct debit hasn't been re set up - the last payment was July. I cannot stop shaking. The last letter from StepChange which was recieved at the end of September said if we missed another they would close our plan. Our usual DD date is the 10th of each month. I have tried paying via telephone banking with Natwest who say the need an activation code (never needed that before to pay someone typical) and StepChange are closed so cannot make a payment over the telephone to them.

I have also noticed that it says our payment is due on the first of every month when I logged in, I'm kicking myself because I don't know if its always said that or its been changed by them because of the DD fiasco - if it is the first of the month then we are in serious trouble as it will look like another missed payment.:(

I suffer massively with my anxiety and I have got myself in such a mess over this I literally want to throttle my husband - he's on his way home to face the wrath now. I won't make excuses but he has been under a huge amount of stress health wise and work wise, he lost his Dad a few moths ago and I think he's been all over the place but this has me really scared, he knows how I feel about the debt and how it kept me awake at the start. We only have a little while to go and it's ruined everything. I am terrified of balliffs, and threatening letters and phone calls and mostly so ashamed that this has happened when StepChange have been so good.

If you have made it this far thankyou - and could anyone advise on what StepChange are likely to do If I ring Monday and explain? Or have we truly bloomin scuppered ourselves here.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Hi there,

We noticed your post and thought we’d reply.

I’m really sorry to hear you’ve missed your payments and your plan may have been closed as a result.

The best thing you can do now is give us a call if you haven’t already so you can update one of our advisors with what’s been going on.

We’re only here to help, so please don’t worry about calling us.

If you’ve got any concerns please let us know.

Kind regards,

Jen

marriedworriedmum

Hi all just thought I'd sneak in a quick update whilst at work!
Managed to get through this afternoon they were lovely I felt so silly as I started crying but they were so helpful.and understanding what a relief! I am making a payment this month and re setting up the direct debit

I often lurk on mse but rarely post and I just wanted to say thanks so much for the help and advice. Each of you really did help. My husband and I have had a good chat and things have obviously been overwhelming but hiding things from me is potentially a lot worse I think he's realised!
Will certainly be on here a lot more and will maybe see you around the forums!
Massive thanks x

crazy_cat_lady

I'm so pleased that you got everything sorted. They are a fantastic charity...
Look forward to seeing more from you

marriedworriedmum

Just noticed this C]Crazy-Cat-Lady Thankyou they really were wonderful. I've been using the site a lot more it's nice not to just 'lurk'!

peteuk

I'm not going to say we told you so, i'm just glad you got it sorted.

It's easy for me to say don't worry, this is just part of your journey and I am sure we have all had our little panicky moments be it over missed payments, unclaimed DD......

I also forgot that step change also have people on the boards, so I best say nice thinks about them..lol

Hopefully this is just a bump in the road and you'll forget about it once a few payments have been made on time.