DRO budget questions.

Limaspoon0204

My DRO application kind of stalled because of the way the budget sheet works through stepchange. I found it hard to separate some costs and as I've been struggling, I've been going without most things so wasn't sure what I would budget for things. also my ingoing money can slightly alter, they have put a figure for child support based on my ex paying a certain amount on the three bank statements I provided but he didn't pay a penny in 2019 or the first half of 2020 so I don't always know if I'll receive anything or how much. Then my 18 year old son pays board and the agreement is 60 per week, but as I've been struggling, he's topped it up a few times to 75 so that's what stepchange have put it as. Anyway, my question is, what effect does this have in the 12 month period? Can my son just pay what we first agreed? do small budget changes mean it could be cancelled?
My son might get a pay rise in a couple of months which will mean I lose more housing benefit but I will offset it with an increase in his board. He is also planning to move in with his girlfriend in October - November, which again will affect my budget but not so it makes me better off, I will gain back housing benefit but lose his board money. Sorry this is a lot, I'm just worried about anything going wrong. 

MalMonroe

Hi, I've had a DRO in the past and just put down what was relevant at the time I was applying. You're allowed to have some surplus income. What your ex paid or didn't pay prior to now is irrelevant. Is there a proper arrangement in place for him to pay you now? Small budget changes do not mean that your DRO will be cancelled. Once it's in place you only have to declare major income changes like if you inherit a large sum of money or something like that. Everyone has some slight fluctuation in their finances. You'd probably be better off just leaving your son's board payment as it is even if he does get a rise because as you say you'll be no better off and your benefits will be altered. That's not even a certainty though, from what you say.

I also went through StepChange and you could do worse than phone them and talk to your adviser again. I was allocated a named adviser, not sure if it's still the same. They will be able to reassure you. Please don't be scared of contacting them again because if you don't understand anything, they are there to help you. Even if they have to go over things a couple of times. They know that people get stressed and sometimes are not able to take everything in at once. It's normal.

The best advice I can give is to get on with it, the sooner it starts the sooner it will be over. My biggest problem was having to pay the £90 to submit. So I paid it in instalments. Honestly, StepChange can really help you. Please do contact them. I'm sure you are worrying needlessly but they can go over everything with you again. 

Good luck, I did it and came out of the other end and you can too. But you do need some back up and that's what StepChange can give you. 

MissFlossy222

The main thing is that you have no more than £50 per month left over in your budget, but that also you aren't in the red each month. 
Small budget changes over the 12 months won't make any difference, in fact there won't be any further checks on your budget. The onus will be on you to report any big changes. Your DRO would only be cancelled if there's a big increase in your income (or win the lottery/come into an inheritance) which takes your monthly surplus to over £50pm.

Limaspoon0204

MalMonroe said:

Hi, I've had a DRO in the past and just put down what was relevant at the time I was applying. You're allowed to have some surplus income. What your ex paid or didn't pay prior to now is irrelevant. Is there a proper arrangement in place for him to pay you now? Small budget changes do not mean that your DRO will be cancelled. Once it's in place you only have to declare major income changes like if you inherit a large sum of money or something like that. Everyone has some slight fluctuation in their finances. You'd probably be better off just leaving your son's board payment as it is even if he does get a rise because as you say you'll be no better off and your benefits will be altered. That's not even a certainty though, from what you say.

I also went through StepChange and you could do worse than phone them and talk to your adviser again. I was allocated a named adviser, not sure if it's still the same. They will be able to reassure you. Please don't be scared of contacting them again because if you don't understand anything, they are there to help you. Even if they have to go over things a couple of times. They know that people get stressed and sometimes are not able to take everything in at once. It's normal.

The best advice I can give is to get on with it, the sooner it starts the sooner it will be over. My biggest problem was having to pay the £90 to submit. So I paid it in instalments. Honestly, StepChange can really help you. Please do contact them. I'm sure you are worrying needlessly but they can go over everything with you again. 

Good luck, I did it and came out of the other end and you can too. But you do need some back up and that's what StepChange can give you. 

I only have a verbal agreement with my ex so it can vary and he has stopped paying many times over the years. My son will pay the initial amount we agreed for now which is a bit less than Stepchange figure due to him paying extra so I can buy essentials but it doesn't effect the budget massively. I thing overall whatever happens my budget won't be effected by more than a few pounds each way. 

Limaspoon0204

I think any figure changes would be very small and my outgoings are okay with Stepchange so I think all should be fine. I initially put lower figures, worrying they would say I shouldn't spend that much or wouldn't be allowed something but they said to increase some of them as I was underestimating so I'm sure they know what they're doing. 

sourcrates

Just produce a budget that shows a surplus of less than £50 at months end, that`s all you have to do, don`t make it any more complicated than that.

As long as its reasonable, it won`t be questioned, and there are no checks after this, you are not spied upon.

Only major changes need be reported, but bear in mind if your disposable income rises to more than £50, your DRO will be revoked, so any income increase usually coincides with a similar increase in your outgoings, unless the increase is quite large.

Try not to overthink things.