Can Stepchange really close/stop your plan?

gemmajenkins0208

So i am with Stepchange, I have an active plan with them which started in an October so I usually receive any important correspondence in the time leading up to the month of October every year.

About 3 or so weeks ago I received a rather sternly worded email saying that I must review my plan before October or they will close it. What?! I got a bit panicky until I remembered the same thing happened last year, but then I really do not remember talking to them on the phone? And my plan is still active and I'm paying the agreed amount each month.

Can they really just stop it all just because I haven't rang them just to say nothings changed and can't afford to pay any more or any less each month? Every time I try doing the online review thing in my account it doesn't like it and wants me to ring them, even tho I've input figures directly from my last payslip/benefit statement/bills etc. I'd received.

Galloglass

I haven't rang them just to say nothings changed

Call them and talk through the detail. It is the creditors that expect SC to review the case every 6 months. 

It is a 3 way agreement - you, your creditors and SC. So rather than you tell 20 creditors your situation has changed, you tell SC who tell them.

Nothing complex

StepChange_Aidan

gemmajenkins0208 said:

So i am with Stepchange, I have an active plan with them which started in an October so I usually receive any important correspondence in the time leading up to the month of October every year.

About 3 or so weeks ago I received a rather sternly worded email saying that I must review my plan before October or they will close it. What?! I got a bit panicky until I remembered the same thing happened last year, but then I really do not remember talking to them on the phone? And my plan is still active and I'm paying the agreed amount each month.

Can they really just stop it all just because I haven't rang them just to say nothings changed and can't afford to pay any more or any less each month? Every time I try doing the online review thing in my account it doesn't like it and wants me to ring them, even tho I've input figures directly from my last payslip/benefit statement/bills etc. I'd received.

Hi Gemma,

Thanks for your post.

As part of a Debt Management Plan (DMP) agreement, you’re required to complete a review of your finances at least once a year, even if your situation hasn’t changed. This is an FCA regulation but it’s also to make sure that a DMP is still the best option for you. 

If it’s coming up to 12 months since your last update, you’ll be sent an email asking you to get back in touch with us again to review your budget. If we don’t receive a response the plan can be closed.

You can do the review using the Online DMP portal. If you’ve entered your information online and it’s asking you to call us, there will be some additional details that we need to confirm with you to complete it. Our contact details are here.

I hope this helps.

Aidan

gemmajenkins0208

Hi guys, thanks for your responses!

I attempted the review online again and it actually let me all the way thru this time without asking me to ring, and i successfully completed the review.

Some moneys had changed since last time and now i have to pay an extra few quid a month but i can live with that!