OR phone call and IPA team

TinyPomegranate

Firstly, thanks again for all the wonderful advice on this forum. For someone who is just starting to learn about bankruptcy or just starting the process, there is so much information here and the search tool has become my best friend I thought I'd update where I am in the process, in case it helps anyone else looking for info. Secondly, sorry for any typos as I'm still shaking with the anxiety of the phone call I've just had (and the relief that it's over).    

I applied for bankruptcy a few days ago. I've just had my phone call from the OR office. This was arranged by text message so I knew what time to expect the call - very handy when you're used to not answering your phone due to collection agencies ringing 9 times a day. The person was very "normal" and not scary or intimidating like I thought they would be. They asked a lot of scary questions but they didn't express any judgement about my answers. They were neither sympathetic nor hostile, it was all very businesslike and matter-of-fact and I think that really helped, because as much as I wouldn't want someone to be hostile towards me, I wouldn't want someone to be sympathetic either. A lot of the questions were basic, like confirming details and clarifying things from my form. Some of the questions were more in-depth, like the reasons for my bankruptcy and what my credit had been spent on. I was given lots of time to explain my answers, and they asked follow-up questions to help me explain things further. For example when I mentioned an illness they asked about what makes it worse, when was I first diagnosed etc. So I didn't feel I was rambling, and I didn't worry they were thinking I was making excuses for myself because they were directly asking me the health questions, which helped me feel more confident in explaining things. They also didn't show any signs of judgement when I said that part of the reason for my debt was simply poor credit management/knowledge on my part. And they didn't hurry me up or cut me off before I'd had time to explain something.

They went through most of my form. They didn't ask detailed questions about current income/expenditure because they said a separate IPA team will be in touch to decice if I need to pay in to one. I thought I'd mention that here because it's the first I've heard about the IPA team being separate. They gave me the first few digits of the phone number so that I would know it would be them calling. In case it helps anyone to know, my income is going to drop over the coming months and the OR told me that the IPA team will ask me to fill in a new budget sheet with my new lower income on it when the time comes.

They confirmed I can keep my car which is a big relief as I need it for work. And they confirmed how long my bankruptcy will last for.

Such a relief like I can't tell you. I know that everyone says it's a relief, and they were silly to worry, but it is worrying when you don't know the end result. It's OK to worry I think! But I'm so glad that part is over. Even if I needed a phone call every week for the next 3 years, I won't be as worried about them now. 

Sonic101

Thanks for sharing, that must feel like a massive weight of your mind! 

luvchocolate

I'm so pleased it was a positive experience for you...you've planned and it makes it so much easier. 
Try to relax now and get on with your life. 

KC41

TinyPomegranate said:

Firstly, thanks again for all the wonderful advice on this forum. For someone who is just starting to learn about bankruptcy or just starting the process, there is so much information here and the search tool has become my best friend I thought I'd update where I am in the process, in case it helps anyone else looking for info. Secondly, sorry for any typos as I'm still shaking with the anxiety of the phone call I've just had (and the relief that it's over).    

I applied for bankruptcy a few days ago. I've just had my phone call from the OR office. This was arranged by text message so I knew what time to expect the call - very handy when you're used to not answering your phone due to collection agencies ringing 9 times a day. The person was very "normal" and not scary or intimidating like I thought they would be. They asked a lot of scary questions but they didn't express any judgement about my answers. They were neither sympathetic nor hostile, it was all very businesslike and matter-of-fact and I think that really helped, because as much as I wouldn't want someone to be hostile towards me, I wouldn't want someone to be sympathetic either. A lot of the questions were basic, like confirming details and clarifying things from my form. Some of the questions were more in-depth, like the reasons for my bankruptcy and what my credit had been spent on. I was given lots of time to explain my answers, and they asked follow-up questions to help me explain things further. For example when I mentioned an illness they asked about what makes it worse, when was I first diagnosed etc. So I didn't feel I was rambling, and I didn't worry they were thinking I was making excuses for myself because they were directly asking me the health questions, which helped me feel more confident in explaining things. They also didn't show any signs of judgement when I said that part of the reason for my debt was simply poor credit management/knowledge on my part. And they didn't hurry me up or cut me off before I'd had time to explain something.

They went through most of my form. They didn't ask detailed questions about current income/expenditure because they said a separate IPA team will be in touch to decice if I need to pay in to one. I thought I'd mention that here because it's the first I've heard about the IPA team being separate. They gave me the first few digits of the phone number so that I would know it would be them calling. In case it helps anyone to know, my income is going to drop over the coming months and the OR told me that the IPA team will ask me to fill in a new budget sheet with my new lower income on it when the time comes.

They confirmed I can keep my car which is a big relief as I need it for work. And they confirmed how long my bankruptcy will last for.

Such a relief like I can't tell you. I know that everyone says it's a relief, and they were silly to worry, but it is worrying when you don't know the end result. It's OK to worry I think! But I'm so glad that part is over. Even if I needed a phone call every week for the next 3 years, I won't be as worried about them now. 

I had my interview with an IPA assessor today and found it so much less stressful than I imagined. I felt sick and nervous all day waiting for it and I needn't have worried. She was really helpful and nice, one tip I would give though is if you have marked things as "other" expenses write down what you have written. She said they don't get the info broken down for that section as it's not essential expenses, I stupidly didn't keep a record of what I had written for that and the amounts so really struggled to remember when put on the spot. Hope all goes well for you, the sense of relief I feel now is immense  

lanceneoman

KC41 said:

TinyPomegranate said:

Firstly, thanks again for all the wonderful advice on this forum. For someone who is just starting to learn about bankruptcy or just starting the process, there is so much information here and the search tool has become my best friend I thought I'd update where I am in the process, in case it helps anyone else looking for info. Secondly, sorry for any typos as I'm still shaking with the anxiety of the phone call I've just had (and the relief that it's over).    

I applied for bankruptcy a few days ago. I've just had my phone call from the OR office. This was arranged by text message so I knew what time to expect the call - very handy when you're used to not answering your phone due to collection agencies ringing 9 times a day. The person was very "normal" and not scary or intimidating like I thought they would be. They asked a lot of scary questions but they didn't express any judgement about my answers. They were neither sympathetic nor hostile, it was all very businesslike and matter-of-fact and I think that really helped, because as much as I wouldn't want someone to be hostile towards me, I wouldn't want someone to be sympathetic either. A lot of the questions were basic, like confirming details and clarifying things from my form. Some of the questions were more in-depth, like the reasons for my bankruptcy and what my credit had been spent on. I was given lots of time to explain my answers, and they asked follow-up questions to help me explain things further. For example when I mentioned an illness they asked about what makes it worse, when was I first diagnosed etc. So I didn't feel I was rambling, and I didn't worry they were thinking I was making excuses for myself because they were directly asking me the health questions, which helped me feel more confident in explaining things. They also didn't show any signs of judgement when I said that part of the reason for my debt was simply poor credit management/knowledge on my part. And they didn't hurry me up or cut me off before I'd had time to explain something.

They went through most of my form. They didn't ask detailed questions about current income/expenditure because they said a separate IPA team will be in touch to decice if I need to pay in to one. I thought I'd mention that here because it's the first I've heard about the IPA team being separate. They gave me the first few digits of the phone number so that I would know it would be them calling. In case it helps anyone to know, my income is going to drop over the coming months and the OR told me that the IPA team will ask me to fill in a new budget sheet with my new lower income on it when the time comes.

They confirmed I can keep my car which is a big relief as I need it for work. And they confirmed how long my bankruptcy will last for.

Such a relief like I can't tell you. I know that everyone says it's a relief, and they were silly to worry, but it is worrying when you don't know the end result. It's OK to worry I think! But I'm so glad that part is over. Even if I needed a phone call every week for the next 3 years, I won't be as worried about them now. 

I had my interview with an IPA assessor today and found it so much less stressful than I imagined. I felt sick and nervous all day waiting for it and I needn't have worried. She was really helpful and nice, one tip I would give though is if you have marked things as "other" expenses write down what you have written. She said they don't get the info broken down for that section as it's not essential expenses, I stupidly didn't keep a record of what I had written for that and the amounts so really struggled to remember when put on the spot. Hope all goes well for you, the sense of relief I feel now is immense  

If you dont mind my asking how long was this after your applied for BR.

I applied on 26th april. Had phone interview.

I have had a letter saying its all gone through but never heard off anyone from IPA.

Ive now had a letter saying Im being put on a no tax code for a year. 

I just dont want to owe them loads of money. Im not sure what to do 

Regards

TinyPomegranate

@lanceneoman I've seen some people wait 3-4 months before the IPA bit starts. Also I've seen people say they save up their tax and then if they owe it, they can pay it and if they don't owe it, they have a nice little saving pot. Treat it like you don't have that money to spend

lanceneoman

TinyPomegranate said:

@lanceneoman I've seen some people wait 3-4 months before the IPA bit starts. Also I've seen people say they save up their tax and then if they owe it, they can pay it and if they don't owe it, they have a nice little saving pot. Treat it like you don't have that money to spend

Oh really. Got a worry for a few months then. Since applying for bankruptsy, i were on furlough, im back on normal wage now, so an extra £80 a week, but still only just enough for all bills etc.

Should i inform the OR. Or wait until the IPA.

KC41

lanceneoman said:

KC41 said:

TinyPomegranate said:

Firstly, thanks again for all the wonderful advice on this forum. For someone who is just starting to learn about bankruptcy or just starting the process, there is so much information here and the search tool has become my best friend I thought I'd update where I am in the process, in case it helps anyone else looking for info. Secondly, sorry for any typos as I'm still shaking with the anxiety of the phone call I've just had (and the relief that it's over).    

I applied for bankruptcy a few days ago. I've just had my phone call from the OR office. This was arranged by text message so I knew what time to expect the call - very handy when you're used to not answering your phone due to collection agencies ringing 9 times a day. The person was very "normal" and not scary or intimidating like I thought they would be. They asked a lot of scary questions but they didn't express any judgement about my answers. They were neither sympathetic nor hostile, it was all very businesslike and matter-of-fact and I think that really helped, because as much as I wouldn't want someone to be hostile towards me, I wouldn't want someone to be sympathetic either. A lot of the questions were basic, like confirming details and clarifying things from my form. Some of the questions were more in-depth, like the reasons for my bankruptcy and what my credit had been spent on. I was given lots of time to explain my answers, and they asked follow-up questions to help me explain things further. For example when I mentioned an illness they asked about what makes it worse, when was I first diagnosed etc. So I didn't feel I was rambling, and I didn't worry they were thinking I was making excuses for myself because they were directly asking me the health questions, which helped me feel more confident in explaining things. They also didn't show any signs of judgement when I said that part of the reason for my debt was simply poor credit management/knowledge on my part. And they didn't hurry me up or cut me off before I'd had time to explain something.

They went through most of my form. They didn't ask detailed questions about current income/expenditure because they said a separate IPA team will be in touch to decice if I need to pay in to one. I thought I'd mention that here because it's the first I've heard about the IPA team being separate. They gave me the first few digits of the phone number so that I would know it would be them calling. In case it helps anyone to know, my income is going to drop over the coming months and the OR told me that the IPA team will ask me to fill in a new budget sheet with my new lower income on it when the time comes.

They confirmed I can keep my car which is a big relief as I need it for work. And they confirmed how long my bankruptcy will last for.

Such a relief like I can't tell you. I know that everyone says it's a relief, and they were silly to worry, but it is worrying when you don't know the end result. It's OK to worry I think! But I'm so glad that part is over. Even if I needed a phone call every week for the next 3 years, I won't be as worried about them now. 

I had my interview with an IPA assessor today and found it so much less stressful than I imagined. I felt sick and nervous all day waiting for it and I needn't have worried. She was really helpful and nice, one tip I would give though is if you have marked things as "other" expenses write down what you have written. She said they don't get the info broken down for that section as it's not essential expenses, I stupidly didn't keep a record of what I had written for that and the amounts so really struggled to remember when put on the spot. Hope all goes well for you, the sense of relief I feel now is immense  

If you dont mind my asking how long was this after your applied for BR.

I applied on 26th april. Had phone interview.

I have had a letter saying its all gone through but never heard off anyone from IPA.

Ive now had a letter saying Im being put on a no tax code for a year. 

I just dont want to owe them loads of money. Im not sure what to do 

Regards

Hi,
I was declared BR on 28 Feb they said if I needed an IPA I would be contacted within 3 months so it was a week shy of that.
Good luck