Help DMP not DRO or IVA-should this be in benefits?

Mar59

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81923886#Comment_81923886

hi and thanks and if I put my pip in where do I put the corresponding negative to offset it I’m not listing it it’s medical and none of their business at this point

ManyWays

In theory, with PIP, you can either list the PIP as income and add extra disability-relayed costs to offset it, or not show the PIP and not show the disability costs. Same result in both cases..

Most creditors that are looking at your situation can see if you have a mortgage from your credit record and also see a very crude approximation of the income going into your account (including PIP) from the CATO (current account turnover) estimates that the credit reference agencies supply.

But often they do not bother to look closely at all though.

NB I am not saying "look closely" requires a human to sit at a desk and stare at all the info on Mar59 they can find! Over the last 15 years most large creditors have automated most of this and unless there is something unusual about your debt, it is probably going to be dealt with by system processes.

SpireCaptain

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81923929#Comment_81923929

Would the CATO pick up transfers from account to account (even if you're just moving the overdraft amount over for 2hrs then back again)? Say you've been cycling money through to maintain access to Premier Banking facilities?

RAS

If you are really worried, post here and there are several people who work in debt advice who can tell you if what you've put is excessive.

On past experience it's more likely you are underestimating or missing elements because you've not been able to afford them previously. You can delete afterwards if you want.

Edit: Remember even people seeking insolvency are expected to have some savings.

Mar59

how far back does Cato go

I was still trying to work nearly 5 years ago and my parents were alive who were then helping me out finsncially

Mar59

only had the debt problem since benefits and not working being so ill built up especially as it spiralled last few years

SpireCaptain

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81924048#Comment_81924048

I'd never heard of CATO but googling it has been eye opening. It really is Big Brother-esque delving into transactions, overdraft usage etc etc. updated monthly and looks like it's been reinforced from the 2023 Consumer Duty. Enhanced CATO data insights have been available from March 2025 for lenders.

Mar59

In summary, while your general credit history file goes back six years, the 

enhanced CATO data 2025

 is designed for real-time affordability analysis and focuses on recent income behavior, not a 5-year retrospective of cash flow. 

Mar59

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81923929#Comment_81923929

if they say anything il just say as far as I was aware they offset each other and I was told it didn’t matter

SpireCaptain

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81924080#Comment_81924080

That's good to know. Thank you. They'll see cashflow drying up and realise debt servicing is becoming unaffordable.