Where do I even begin?

fatbelly

I agree with the above except if you can get the fee together in 3 months you can avoid the HCEO becoming a nuisance again.

The potential problem with stopping utility/council tax payments is the joint liability.

A UC advance is a provable debt in bankruptcy

An advance of benefit available is under the Universal Credit system (known as a Payment on Account).

When a payment is made, Universal Credit payments are subsequently reduced for a period of time until the Payment on Account is accounted for, typically over 6 or 12 months. Universal Credit payments then resume normal levels.

Following a bankruptcy any sums due in relation to a Payment on Account would be considered to be a provable debt and the DWP should not recover the outstanding sums from the bankrupt, including by way of reduced benefit payments.

[Deleted User]

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I have taken your comments onboard and will start making payments towards the bankruptcy fee  

Hopefully I will be able to get it paid before the HCEO becomes an issue again, but a telephone hearing has been set in regards to my application to set it aside which is good news!