DRO - struggling to understand what I need to do due to head injury

Yorkybrew

I'm in a lot of debt, largely tax credits due to a years overpayment deemed when our employer didn't register any of the staff with HMRC. (about 7 of us got caught up in this it was horrendous) 

Tax Credits have syphoned this back over the years at 50% of the correct awards but 50% less has then pushed me into debt in other areas, then I was attacked Jan 2020 and whilst I've been unwell things have mounted up, often the charges/late fees etc... far more than the original missed payments. 

I'm getting all the figures together at the moment but it's looking around £13000, I'm unemployed on ESA and I just cannot cope with it all from general stress levels and struggling with the head injury I've spoken to StepChange and decided this is the way forward which I think is right but even getting everything together is a nightmare. 

Companies I know or think I owe money too are very unhelpful because I can't remember security information, I've now gotten a CCJ, I was trying to challenge it but I ended up in hospital when my evidence was due so it was allocated whilst I was in, StepChange have said I can see a solicitor to try and get it setback but I honestly cannot cope or wrap myself around all this happening and I'm so exhausted and in pain I'd rather just try and do the DRO and be done with it all. 

I spoke to the company that applied for the CCJ and they've now said they aren't pursuing it any further but after the attack the thought of having further aggressive men breaking into the house is spiralling my PTSD. 

Not exact figures but from what I can see I have: 

£1100 CCJ from a mobile bill 
£7000 Tax Credits 
£2200 Vets - Cat was hurt during the attack - The vet for some reason didn't claim off my insurance despite the others claiming successfully. 
£120 - Parking fine

I think there is a few more bits and bobs around looking on my credit file, like £60-£80 here and there but I'm struggling to get any information from the companies. 

StepChange has been great on the phone but I feel like I need a proper advocate who can speak to companies where I can't pass security. I'm trying to get sorted but it just seems to be hurdle after hurdle. 

Not sure if I am posting for advice or because I feel like i'm about to cry from frustration. But if anyone has any advice or tips of what I need to do that would be amazing. 

sourcrates

For a DRO you will need up to date balances of your debts, you can get those by either writing to the companies concerned (you don`t have any security to pass with a letter) or for credit debts, they should be on your credit file, remember to check all three of the main agencies.

Also you need to make sure you qualify in all other areas for the DRO, your stepchange DRO advisor should be the one to help with this.

Alternately the CAB can also organise a DRO, fatbelly may be able to advise further on that.

fatbelly

Hi

We're doing most of ours by phone now and there is due to be a DRO centre set up soon so that's the direction of travel and Yorkybrew might as well stick with stepchange for now.

It's not critical to have reference numbers. If you can see that you owe a company X then that goes on the application with reference NK - the reference numbers don 't get communicated to the creditors anyway.

While you're putting the info together pay close attention to any communications you get as they might be relevant to the application. If there are debts out there that are not communicating then they will go statute barred eventually.

I wouldn't bother with set-aside on the ccj if you're doing a DRO, and no-one's going to be breaking into your house. In the remote case that the creditor decides to enforce it, stepchange will put you into Breathing Space.

MalMonroe

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about your attack, that must have been really scary and horrible. Did you report to the police and did they offer you any victim support? (Victim Support is separate from the police.) I was also really sorry to hear about your cat.  

There's a link here if you want to try to get some support from Victim Support - 

https://www.victimandwitnessinformation.org.uk/find-local-support/#

It must be very difficult if you are still living in the place where the attack happened and I for one think you are very brave. You mentioned wanting an advocate and I think that's a great idea. There's a link here telling you all about advocates -

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/someone-to-speak-up-for-you-advocate/

Your GP could also help if you feel you aren't coping or need any advice about what's available in terms of help.

It's really good that you've been in touch with StepChange and they should be able to really help you with your finances - they helped me a lot when I had a DRO a few years ago. It's also good that the CCJ isn't being pursued.   

It sounds like you need some good old fashioned TLC, and I hope that you will be able to contact someone, hopefully through one of the links I have provided, so that you can get the help you need and deserve.

You're doing great, you really are - just need a bit of help. Let StepChange help you as well, lean on them, I hope you have told them about the attack and everything else that's been happening. 

I do hope things start to get better for you soon, and hope that the links I've given will be of some help. Good luck to you