Where to go for a DRO

Three7six

Hiya,
I've previously asked a few questions and got my SOA sorted and I've been told by a few people it should be okay for a DRO. I went to my local CAB to see someone, and the guy on the reception desk was an old colleague who has recently retired and one of the advisors is my sisters best friend. It's put me off dealing with them a bit because she's already mentioned to my sister that she saw me in there, and my sister wanted to know why so I made something up, but I don't want her finding out about my financial, situation. I then contacted Stepchange, and because I get DLA they refused to accept I was eligible as they said my DLA care put my income over £50 a month, except it doesn't because I pay it to my carer and I also thought it couldn't be taken into account anyway as it's meant to pay for care costs. Without my DLA, I have less than £10 a month disposable income.
I don't know where to go now, is there anywhere else I can seek a DRO from?

Craig1981

you can call Payplan or National Debtline - both charitable organisations that wont charge you for their services, only what costs are incurred

fatbelly

A couple of observations.

Your sister's best friend will not be at the CAB long if she continues to breach confidentiality.

Stepchange are incorrect, and not for the first time, about treating DLA in a DRO.

Craig's suggestions are good. You could also check to see if there is an independent debt advice centre near where you live - they sometimes have intermediaries affiliated to the IMA.

CAP may be worth exploring.

You could also try another CAB and ask for a referral to the MAS DRO Unit - everything would then be done by phone and post.

sourcrates

Three7six wrote: »

Hiya,
I've previously asked a few questions and got my SOA sorted and I've been told by a few people it should be okay for a DRO. I went to my local CAB to see someone, and the guy on the reception desk was an old colleague who has recently retired and one of the advisors is my sisters best friend. It's put me off dealing with them a bit because she's already mentioned to my sister that she saw me in there, and my sister wanted to know why so I made something up, but I don't want her finding out about my financial, situation. I then contacted Stepchange, and because I get DLA they refused to accept I was eligible as they said my DLA care put my income over £50 a month, except it doesn't because I pay it to my carer and I also thought it couldn't be taken into account anyway as it's meant to pay for care costs. Without my DLA, I have less than £10 a month disposable income.
I don't know where to go now, is there anywhere else I can seek a DRO from?

In a Debt Relief Order (DRO), DLA or PIP is counted as “income” however there will be a line added into your “expenditure” that is the same amount for your “disability expenses” this is often labelled something like “adult care costs”.

This means that you will often pass the “not more than £50 a month surplus income” test for a DRO.

So if your income from DLA is say £50 a month, a similar line for £50 would exist in your expenditure column, under "care costs".

You need to adjust your budget accordingly.

Stepchange should of picked up on that.