Debts and DV

fatbelly

https://moneyadvicetrust.org/advice-services/dmhef/

It's only free when completed by someone contracted to NHS England.

In other UK Nations they can charge

https://moneyadvicetrust.org/advice-services/dmhef/#health-and-social-care-professionals

RhiBi

Ah right, I’m in Wales so that explains it.  When they phone back I’ll ask the charge, but either way, I’ll have to pay it.

ManyWays

Show them this https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/fees/fees-for-gps/fees-for-mental-health-evidence-form-for-patients-in-debt. Also encourage the GP to complete the back of the form, it may be "optional" but it gives very useful information to the creditor

RhiBi

Unfortunately as I’m in Wales, I don’t think it applies.  It’s ironic that a form involving help with debt needs to be paid for!

ManyWays

I would be reluctant to pay for that. There is some chance of a write off because of DV; but you do not have a negative budget and you own a mortgage-free property, so I think you may have a better chance of getting a write off because of mental health issues after you have been making low payments for a year or too. 

RhiBi

I hope it’s ok to keep posting here, I feel like I’m asking lots of questions!

So,  I’ve been reading many of the threads on here and my feeling is that a self managed DMP will be my best option.  The problem is that I’ve signed for CAB to act on my behalf.  My thought is to let them negotiate any write offs, although I appreciate that is unlikely to bring anything more positive.i feel it’s worth a try.  Would the point that they want to refer me to pay plan be the time I decline and say I will self manage.

ive got breathing space on all my debts, which I know understand from reading on here isn’t the most helpful, but it’ll only add a few months to what is going to be a long term plan, and it’ll give me a bit more time to build up a savings pot.  It still feels counterintuitive to build savings whilst in debt but I totally get the principle.

Thanks to @Ms_Chocaholic for her help I’ve applied for the single person discount on council tax so that is one saving.

i will add that if I do self manage, I will need a lot of hand holding, so I hope that’s ok!

I’ve had emails saying that the cards for the new bank accounts will be with me soon.  Once I have that I can move my pay to go into that account, and I will then stop paying the Nationwide loan (my pay currently goes into nationwide so I paid that this month].

so, my plan currently is to:

Let breathing space run its course
let CAB request write offs due to DV
Decline a referral to payplan
Build up a savings pot to offer F&F offers further down the road
Let all debts default - is it correct that at that point I offer manageable payments so should I wait until I get letters of court action?

fatbelly

You can opt out from CAB at any point so that sounds sensible.

I wouldn't completely rule out write-offs even if, as expected CAB are unsuccessful. I think you can build a better case on your own with help from the forum.

Otherwise plan is fine. Aim to start payments after the defaults

RhiBi

Thank you @fatbelly

I a, so grateful to everyone for the help and support you’ve given me.

if it’s ok, I’ll keep this thread going as I go through the journey as I think it’ll be more helpful to have everything in one place. 

I will no doubt be asking lots more questions!

Humdinger1

Have subscribed @RhiBi and am looking forward to your updates!  Onwards and upwards love Humdinger xx 

RhiBi

One little positive.  I had a phone call back from the GP surgery and the debt and mental health form is ready for me to collect with no fee to pay.  I’ll take that as a win, although I haven’t picked it up yet so no idea what they’ve said, but for today, it is a win!