DRO Question

zoodelt

Hello,

I have an appointment with Citizens Advice on 4th February to apply for a DRO. I asked them what I should bring with me to the appointment and they said "any paperwork you think may be helpful" - any advice on what I should take with me? I was thinking:

- Debt letters
- Statement of affairs (though I did this on StepChange)
- Universal credit statement to prove income

fatbelly

Yep.

Also recent utility bills, council tax statement, rent account

Bank statements for past three months

zoodelt

fatbelly said:

Yep.

Also recent utility bills, council tax statement, rent account

Bank statements for past three months

With the bank statements, it’s been christmas recently so I’ve had some extra money for presents etc, so my leftover money may look a little higher - would this be taken into appreciation? 

sourcrates

Seasonal fluctuations are to be expected, when you do your budget, I suggest you practice beforehand at home, as you must be left with £75 or less per month disposable income, you do not include any current non essential debt repayments in that figure.

So everything you spend money on, except your unsecured, non essential debts, must leave you with a figure of £75 or less, try to get it to around the £30 quid mark, so after everything is paid, you have £30 quid left or thereabouts.

zoodelt

sourcrates said:

Seasonal fluctuations are to be expected, when you do your budget, I suggest you practice beforehand at home, as you must be left with £75 or less per month disposable income, you do not include any current non essential debt repayments in that figure.

So everything you spend money on, except your unsecured, non essential debts, must leave you with a figure of £75 or less, try to get it to around the £30 quid mark, so after everything is paid, you have £30 quid left or thereabouts.

Wouldn’t they see different figures when checking my bank statement for this? 

I did my budget on StepChange, but I’m not sure on a couple debts because I know they don’t get wrote off in the DRO - so would these be priority payments?

1. Universal Credit Budgeting Advance (UC deduct £30 each month from me)

2. Student Finance Overpayment - I am required to pay £20 a month due to a maintenance loan overpayment and they want payments immediately. So it’s not the normal student finance plan where I have to earn a specific income, etc