Lowell and universal credit

helpsrw

So I'm a single mum and I've just sorted out with a debt that my ex got me into. The guy I spoke to was really helpful at lowell and i told him that my natural worry would be they speak to universal credit and universal credit sanction me or stop my money for being in a debt, he told me that lowell can't speak to universal credit and universal credit can't speak to them as I'd have to authorize that. Let me explain why I'm thinking this, i have crippling anxiety and I think up all kinds of stupid scenarios and this is one of them panicking through my brain.. what if they were to stop it and I couldn't feed my baby. I'm so angry at my ex as he said he would pay this and get it sorted, when he clearly hasn't.. we aren't in contact as it ended on bad terms that was 3 years ago now.
Anyway, advice on this situation would be appreciated.
Thank you 

Grumpelstiltskin

Right slow down and don't panic, nothing terrible is going to happen.

Is the debt in your name?
 
Do you have any more debts apart from this?

If you can answer these questions it will help us give you the right answers.

helpsrw

It's in my name, was stupid, inlove and believed his words when he said he'd pay it, I don't mind paying it as it's only £120. I believe the guy at lowell who said uc and lowell can't speak as I'd have to authorize it as it's part of data protection act I assume. But the stupid anxiety takes over and I start thinking stupid things such as this.
Was he right in saying they can't speak to one another? I'm sorry if I've come across as a panicking mess!

helpsrw

And no this is my only debt as far as I'm aware 

RAS

Let's start with

The permitted deductions for UC do NOT include consumer credit.

Find out about money taken off your Universal Credit payment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

And given that Lowell probably bought this for a lot less than £120, it might be worth writing, explaining that you are on UC and dropped in it by your ex-partner. Ask them to write the debt off. They may come back and say yes, they may ask for £30 as a full and final settlement.

helpsrw

They said that sadly it needs to be paid as it was in my name but was done for him, it's still on my head basically. 
So it's a direct debit that's going to come out of my account which will be paid off in 3 installments, I don't mind paying it. Then it's over and done with and he is finally out of my life. My question is, will uc and lowell speak? I just worry that they stop my money or reduce it and I obviously need to get baby food etc. The guys said that they won't speak as I'd have to authorize it. But you know how anxiety works i assume? All sorts of scenarios play out in my head lol 

RAS

Next time you get in a tangle, ask here first?

And read the responses?

helpsrw

I would have asked here first..  I didn't find this website until after sadly.. you sound quite shirty in your response there..
I already stated it's not gone through universal credit.. letter has been sent to me, direct debit set up by me.. I thought my question about it was quite clear..
IF there is a next time I will ask here first.. thank you anyway.. 🙄

Grumpelstiltskin

Help I think you are still panicing. Please stop.

Read what  RAS said in post 5.

Whatever Lowell said ( and please don't speak to them again) you may if you write to them be in a position where they will write it off.

If you have set up a direct debit then please cancel it and see if they will either write it off or accept a reduced amount, and remember DO NOT SPEAK TO THEM OVER THE PHONE.

sourcrates

Hi,

First off, don`t speak to Lowell on the phone again, very bad way to deal with things.

Second, ask Lowell for proof of your liability for this debt, send them the PROVIT letter, available from the stickies.

The GDPR`s see to it that your information is protected, debt collectors cannot speak to anyone about your debt but you, it`s private for this very reason.

Try not to overthink things here, send them the letter, they must provide proof of your liability, don`t just pay them they must supply evidence, as they would to a court.

fatbelly

If this is a mobile phone debt (you haven't said) then it's most unlikely that Lowell will have the documentation to prove this and also most unlikely that they would think about court action for £120.

The write-off letter is here

https://nationaldebtline.org/sample-letters/write-off-debt/