Struggling with debt? Ask a stepchange debt adviser a question

StepChange_Patience

Penguin_ said:

Just a quick one, I am in a DMP with Stepchange but following reading on here I have sent off (today) CCA requests to the creditors on my DMP. I know, from reading on here, that some people on Self Managed DMP pay a tiny amount each month whilst waiting for the creditor to produce the CCA; am I able to do this even though I am with Stepchange?

Hi there

Thank you for your post.

It's great to hear you're managing your debts through StepChange. When we work out what is potentially affordable for a debt management plan (DMP), we create a budget by looking at a persons income and expenditure. This means that your current payments should be based on an accurate budget based on your circumstances.

If you feel that you're struggling with those payments we would happily review your budget and adjust your payments from there.

You can find our contact details here.

If you would like more information about the credit agreement requests, this website explains more and what to do if they don't fulfil the request.

I hope this helps.

Patience

Penguin_

StepChange_Patience said:

Penguin_ said:

Just a quick one, I am in a DMP with Stepchange but following reading on here I have sent off (today) CCA requests to the creditors on my DMP. I know, from reading on here, that some people on Self Managed DMP pay a tiny amount each month whilst waiting for the creditor to produce the CCA; am I able to do this even though I am with Stepchange?

Hi there

Thank you for your post.

It's great to hear you're managing your debts through StepChange. When we work out what is potentially affordable for a debt management plan (DMP), we create a budget by looking at a persons income and expenditure. This means that your current payments should be based on an accurate budget based on your circumstances.

If you feel that you're struggling with those payments we would happily review your budget and adjust your payments from there.

You can find our contact details here.

If you would like more information about the credit agreement requests, this website explains more and what to do if they don't fulfil the request.

I hope this helps.

Patience

Hi Patience

Thanks for your reply, I don't think I was very clear about what I was asking - apologies.

I have sent of CCA requests to the 5 creditors on my DMP that I am running & able to afford with your company. However I have seen that some people on MSE forums, when their creditor cannot produce a valid CCA, only give token payments to the creditor, until they can produce it.

If my a creditor, or creditors, on my DMP cannot supply the CCA - am I able to make a smaller token payment than my agreed amount & re-distribute the previously agreed payment to those who creditors are able to provide said paperwork?

scotty1971

My DAS has been running for about a year now. Only one of my debtors has defaulted. How do I get the rest to default the accounts. As they only show up as missed payments? if it continues as missed payments only,they will show on my credit file until 2032! Thanks

StepChange_Patience

Penguin_ said:

StepChange_Patience said:

Penguin_ said:

Just a quick one, I am in a DMP with Stepchange but following reading on here I have sent off (today) CCA requests to the creditors on my DMP. I know, from reading on here, that some people on Self Managed DMP pay a tiny amount each month whilst waiting for the creditor to produce the CCA; am I able to do this even though I am with Stepchange?

Hi there

Thank you for your post.

It's great to hear you're managing your debts through StepChange. When we work out what is potentially affordable for a debt management plan (DMP), we create a budget by looking at a persons income and expenditure. This means that your current payments should be based on an accurate budget based on your circumstances.

If you feel that you're struggling with those payments we would happily review your budget and adjust your payments from there.

You can find our contact details here.

If you would like more information about the credit agreement requests, this website explains more and what to do if they don't fulfil the request.

I hope this helps.

Patience

Hi Patience

Thanks for your reply, I don't think I was very clear about what I was asking - apologies.

I have sent of CCA requests to the 5 creditors on my DMP that I am running & able to afford with your company. However I have seen that some people on MSE forums, when their creditor cannot produce a valid CCA, only give token payments to the creditor, until they can produce it.

If my a creditor, or creditors, on my DMP cannot supply the CCA - am I able to make a smaller token payment than my agreed amount & re-distribute the previously agreed payment to those who creditors are able to provide said paperwork?

Hi there

Thank you for getting back in touch. 

As it mentions on the website I linked above, if the creditor doesn't provide you with a copy or 'true copy' of the agreement within 12 working days, then if they did go ahead with court action you would potentially have a defence against this.

With that being said, it doesn't mean that the debt is no longer owed or that payments should be reduced or stopped until they produce the agreements. 

If they fail to respond to your request, then we would recommend you make a complaint and escalate this to the Financial Ombudsman Service if it isn't resolved in 8 weeks.

Even with the requests outstanding, we would continue to distribute your payments fairly between each of your creditors in your plan as they can still pass the debt to a collection agency and contact you to request payment.

I hope this helps.

Patience.

StepChange_Aidan

scotty1971 said:

My DAS has been running for about a year now. Only one of my debtors has defaulted. How do I get the rest to default the accounts. As they only show up as missed payments? if it continues as missed payments only,they will show on my credit file until 2032! Thanks

Hi,

Thanks for your post.

Creditors will normally default the accounts after a few months of reduced payments. If you’re in the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS), it’s in your interest for the defaults to be registered as soon as possible so that your credit file is cleared sooner.

If there’s been an unreasonable delay in registering the defaults, you could make a complaint to the creditors. Guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) recommends the creditors default the accounts after 3-6 months of arrears.

I hope this helps.

Aidan

User_060921

Fairly disgusted with the way i have just been spoken to by a SC call taker (Simon).

I have been trying to do my annual review on line, and the system refused to accept it (no changes).

So i was told i had to ring.

On hold for 41 minutes, so by the the time the phone was answered i only had a few minutes to sort it all out.

However, he then told me it will take at least 20 minutes and could take up to 3 hours! THERE ARE NO CHANGES!!.

His response, well, call back when you have more time and hung up.

What a t***er

darrenhawkins

Hi, I’ve been really struggling the last few months. I’ve got 3 loans currently eating around 1/3 of my wages and due myself leaving minimal free cash I use my credit cards. Unfortunately that’s now caught up with me. I owe 12k over 2 cards, and my overdraft is maxed at 1kand the minimum payments are now eating up my whole wage and I’m a bout to hit the limit on one card. 

The loans I can manage and are with me for 2 more years, and once they’re paid off I can sort my credit cards.  But in the short term I’m struggling

StepChange_Patience

Fusterclucker said:

Fairly disgusted with the way i have just been spoken to by a SC call taker (Simon).

I have been trying to do my annual review on line, and the system refused to accept it (no changes).

So i was told i had to ring.

On hold for 41 minutes, so by the the time the phone was answered i only had a few minutes to sort it all out.

However, he then told me it will take at least 20 minutes and could take up to 3 hours! THERE ARE NO CHANGES!!.

His response, well, call back when you have more time and hung up.

What a t***er

Hi there

Thank you for your post.

I'm so very sorry to hear how you were treated over the phone, if you feel you weren't treated fairly when trying to do your review please consider making a complaint.

You can find out more information about that here.

If you still need to do your review, please call us back when you can. I know we're a little busy at the moment but please bear with us.

I hope this helps.

Patience

StepChange_Patience

darrenhawkins said:

Hi, I’ve been really struggling the last few months. I’ve got 3 loans currently eating around 1/3 of my wages and due myself leaving minimal free cash I use my credit cards. Unfortunately that’s now caught up with me. I owe 12k over 2 cards, and my overdraft is maxed at 1kand the minimum payments are now eating up my whole wage and I’m a bout to hit the limit on one card. 

The loans I can manage and are with me for 2 more years, and once they’re paid off I can sort my credit cards.  But in the short term I’m struggling

Hi Darren

Thank you for your post. 

I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling with your debts, it's understandable that the loans have left you with minimal free cash if they're taking a third of your wages. 

From what you've shared, it would be worthwhile getting some free and impartial help and advice to help you with the loans and the credit cards.

We would happily have a no obligation look at your circumstances to help you find the best way to deal with the debts, for however long you may need our help.

You can find our contact details here.

I hope this helps.

Capable

HI, I recently lost my job,  When I was working I was making loan repayments but now I can't afford them.  I'm on benefits, disabled and ill, I won't be able to work again for  a year at least, if ever.  The company has accepted token payments for three months while I sort myself out.  I still owe them 8,400.  What should I do now?  Even if they let me stay on the token amount forever, I would die before repaying the debt.I have a good credit score and no other debt but I go into overdraft every month.  I also can't tighten my belt further than it already is. It's really stressing me out but I know it must be quite a straightforward problem to solve if I only knew how.  I have  no savings or pension.  Thanks for reading. J