DMP mutual support thread part 13 !!

Suseka97

DMP_Lurker said:

Where is the best place to get CCA documents checked please?

You should head over to the legal beagles forum, they have a money and debt section with various posts on this topic and its moderated by legal bods.

DMP_Lurker

Suseka97 said:

DMP_Lurker said:

Where is the best place to get CCA documents checked please?

You should head over to the legal beagles forum, they have a money and debt section with various posts on this topic and its moderated by legal bods.

Thanks, I'll have a look

Ramok

Hi all

im currently on dmp plan and got saved up around 500 pounds while paying on my plan 350 pound a month. I will be moving houses in next month and question is can i ask my debt agency if i could skip payment for one month or should i struggle n sleep on mattress until i can save up for a bed? Would dkipping one payment be such a big deal ? That would help loads as i got nothing to my name after break up snd will need to biy everything to sn empty house with my roommate (apart from furnishing my bedroom we will split costs of freezer, washer etc) 

Suseka97

Ramok said:

Hi all.  im currently on dmp plan and got saved up around 500 pounds while paying on my plan 350 pound a month. I will be moving houses in next month and question is can i ask my debt agency if i could skip payment for one month or should i struggle n sleep on mattress until i can save up for a bed? Would dkipping one payment be such a big deal ? That would help loads as i got nothing to my name after break up snd will need to biy everything to sn empty house with my roommate (apart from furnishing my bedroom we will split costs of freezer, washer etc) 

Firstly, when you day 'debt agency' I do hope you mean one of the debt charities or a non-fee charging company.  That said, a DMP is an informal agreement between you and your creditors, albeit managed by a 3rd party - so if you need a payment break, take it.   It's pretty straightforward, just let them know.

Norfolk_Jim

Just suffered big drop in income meaning I have around two thirds less for my DMP than before - called Stepchange about it and revised budget and payment but what stood out was lack of reassurance from Stepchange. The person on the other end of the phone was sort of following a script which seemed rather scary. I'm freaked out as it is, even though I've read all the stuff Sourcrates has written over the years. I feel like my DMP will never end, its over 20 years now. I worry I will lose my house to my creditors even though I read on these pages how unlikely that is. Even after a year and a bit on DMP my mental health is shot. Stepchange are funded by the credit industry, no? In many ways it seems like they cannot be as, lets say, open about the consequences or not of unsecured debt as the regular contributors on this board are. Sometimes I feel like Id be better off dead and leaving this all behind - must get to see the doctor before those feeling get any more than just fleeting feelings

BooBoo77

Norfolk_Jim said:

Just suffered big drop in income meaning I have around two thirds less for my DMP than before - called Stepchange about it and revised budget and payment but what stood out was lack of reassurance from Stepchange. The person on the other end of the phone was sort of following a script which seemed rather scary. I'm freaked out as it is, even though I've read all the stuff Sourcrates has written over the years. I feel like my DMP will never end, its over 20 years now. I worry I will lose my house to my creditors even though I read on these pages how unlikely that is. Even after a year and a bit on DMP my mental health is shot. Stepchange are funded by the credit industry, no? In many ways it seems like they cannot be as, lets say, open about the consequences or not of unsecured debt as the regular contributors on this board are. Sometimes I feel like Id be better off dead and leaving this all behind - must get to see the doctor before those feeling get any more than just fleeting feelings

One day at a time and breathe. They are reading a script as they’ve seen it all before and you will be ok. You’re being responsible. This is outside your control but you’re taking responsibility and it will be sorted. Definitely make an appointment with your doctor and also reach out to trusted friends or anyone to share your feelings of worry. You will cope truly. Take care of yourself and try and find something pleasurable however small for yourself today to look forward to. These are exceptionally difficult tones and money worries on tip moo don’t help. Hugs. B xx

Suseka97

Norfolk_Jim said:

Just suffered big drop in income meaning I have around two thirds less for my DMP than before - called Stepchange about it and revised budget and payment but what stood out was lack of reassurance from Stepchange. The person on the other end of the phone was sort of following a script which seemed rather scary. I'm freaked out as it is, even though I've read all the stuff Sourcrates has written over the years. I feel like my DMP will never end, its over 20 years now. I worry I will lose my house to my creditors even though I read on these pages how unlikely that is. Even after a year and a bit on DMP my mental health is shot. Stepchange are funded by the credit industry, no? In many ways it seems like they cannot be as, lets say, open about the consequences or not of unsecured debt as the regular contributors on this board are. Sometimes I feel like Id be better off dead and leaving this all behind - must get to see the doctor before those feeling get any more than just fleeting feelings

Hi N_J - have been following your story for a while; you've come come a long way and its natural that from time to time you'll feel overwhelmed by it all.  It's such a shame that your conversation with someone at Stepchange has worried you - but please don't overthink this.  You really won't lose your house and you need to reach out to your doctor, friends or family about how low you are feeling.  

What is the current position with your debts?  Have they defaulted now, how much is outstanding?  There may be other debt solutions to consider if you are now facing, potentially, 20 years on a DMP.  There are always solutions to each situation and its a case of working through what's best for you in a methodical way.  Always remember that a DMP is not a race, its a marathon - but of course I do understand that the thought of a lengthy DMP can be a burden sometimes.

I imagine Stepchange are pretty overwhelmed with the numbers of people contacting them with debt problems and certainly some of the call handlers really won't be experienced enough to deal with it, hence the 'working from a script' situation.  So whatever was said, just put that to one side and let's look at how we can help  

BooBoo77

BooBoo77 said:

Norfolk_Jim said:

Just suffered big drop in income meaning I have around two thirds less for my DMP than before - called Stepchange about it and revised budget and payment but what stood out was lack of reassurance from Stepchange. The person on the other end of the phone was sort of following a script which seemed rather scary. I'm freaked out as it is, even though I've read all the stuff Sourcrates has written over the years. I feel like my DMP will never end, its over 20 years now. I worry I will lose my house to my creditors even though I read on these pages how unlikely that is. Even after a year and a bit on DMP my mental health is shot. Stepchange are funded by the credit industry, no? In many ways it seems like they cannot be as, lets say, open about the consequences or not of unsecured debt as the regular contributors on this board are. Sometimes I feel like Id be better off dead and leaving this all behind - must get to see the doctor before those feeling get any more than just fleeting feelings

One day at a time and breathe. They are reading a script as they’ve seen it all before and you will be ok. You’re being responsible. This is outside your control but you’re taking responsibility and it will be sorted. Definitely make an appointment with your doctor and also reach out to trusted friends or anyone to share your feelings of worry. You will cope truly. Take care of yourself and try and find something pleasurable however small for yourself today to look forward to. These are exceptionally difficult tones and money worries on tip moo don’t help. Hugs. B xx

Typos sorry. Times not tones and too not moo. 😊

ditty1234

Norfolk_Jim said:

Just suffered big drop in income meaning I have around two thirds less for my DMP than before - called Stepchange about it and revised budget and payment but what stood out was lack of reassurance from Stepchange. The person on the other end of the phone was sort of following a script which seemed rather scary. I'm freaked out as it is, even though I've read all the stuff Sourcrates has written over the years. I feel like my DMP will never end, its over 20 years now. I worry I will lose my house to my creditors even though I read on these pages how unlikely that is. Even after a year and a bit on DMP my mental health is shot. Stepchange are funded by the credit industry, no? In many ways it seems like they cannot be as, lets say, open about the consequences or not of unsecured debt as the regular contributors on this board are. Sometimes I feel like Id be better off dead and leaving this all behind - must get to see the doctor before those feeling get any more than just fleeting feelings

Hi this is only unofficial advice, but in a while when you are ready you can go self managed, do cca request, to see if your debt isn enforceable, try to get F&F. By doing that my active debt have gone from £25.000 to under 9.500 and that just really changes the perspective on paying it back, ideally with some kind of a discount through a F&F. SO I am now paying it off slowly and saving for an emergency fund and then for F and F. You will get there, and it probably won't take 20 years in the end. Just make sure that everything is defaulted, so that cant come back and request interest later. I am still waiting for confirmation that my last balance has been defaulted. Hang in there, step change are great, but eventually there is a lot to say for going self managed. 

ditty1234

Actual update - It has 'only' taken 18 months for HS8C to default a current account with an overdraft. But now it has been done. And I will write them a separate complaint to get it back dated, the default in jan 2021, all my other defaults are in 2019, so that is annoying. That said, mysteriously my credit score went from ultra low to low at the same time. Not that I care, but it makes no sense. 
I will write them to ask them to backdate default, as they did with my loan, fingers crossed. Thanks for this thread.