can any one help?

samantha-c_4

Can someone please help,
we have recently signed up with the cccs debt management plan, where we would be paying 129 pound a month to pay off debts, we are behind with our rent by almost 3 months our landlord knows about this and he isnt hassling us he knows our situation, just recently my partner has lost his job due to lack of work and now cccs have told us that they will have to review our situation, I have just done the plan online again now and it has said they are unable to help us until we can review our situation!
where can we go from here???
i have two young kids and the debt is just building, please help:(

fermi

Give CCCS a call and speak to an advisor to see what can be worked out.

The online debt remedy and help with DMP's are good sometimes, but they can't replace talking to a real person all the time.

samantha-c_4

they have phoned my partner earlier and told him they need to pass it back to the remedy centre and they will call back later, im really worried now, i thought that things were going to start picking up and then he lost his job!

Broken_hearted

I've found CCCS do this, if you phone back all you get told is to go Bankrupt. We sorted it out by running our own DMP, even though we have paid off a third of our debt and have more spare money now CCCS still won't help.

samantha-c_4

we cant get a loan or anything from anywhere, were seriously stuck in a rut, if we go bankrupt what happens? would we loose our car that is on finance?

fermi

I don't think you've had much luck with CCCS Broken Hearted.

They didn't mention that to me for a very very long time, but instead recommended paying small/token payments until things improved. It was only when it was clear that wasn't going to happen that they suggested anything else.

samantha-c_4

thats what they have said to us, so did you go bankrupt?

earthmother

If CCCS can't help (and I've had the same experience with them as broken hearted), then my first priority would be clearing the rent arrears.

Your first step is to see if you can't tweak your SOA a bit more - if you are comfortable with doing so, it may be worth putting it up here so all the experienced old hands can set their minds to it.

Once your SOA is sorted, write to your creditors, offer a nominal payment of (say) £1 a month, and explain why you are doing it (ie rent arrears and loss of employment). Use the rest of your money for the rent arrears.

If you are honest, then many will help at least in the short term. Promise a review in 3 months (most ask for 6), this way you are being proactive, and putting forward the 'this is only short term' face which I have found will often make them look a little more kindly on you. You don't have to increase your payments on the review - but at least you're keeping them in the loop.


Then you need to be income maximising - I note you're new to the site - have you looked around the 'up your income' board etc? Join up to cashback sites like Quidco and Pigsback, do some mystery shopping, review some music on Slice The Pie etc - it's not going to make a fortune, but it's something each week that will ease things while your OH is job hunting.

Oh, and it goes without saying to make sure your benefits are all up to date - one of you needs to claim JSA, the tax credits need amending and you'll probably now qualify for housing and council tax benefit.

fermi

samantha-c wrote: »

thats what they have said to us, so did you go bankrupt?

Yes. But each persons situation is different.

Plus it's only something to do if you really feel there is no alternative and you have had lots of professional advice that it's in your best interest.

The car on HP would be at risk. You would have to justify a car as being essential rather than convenient, and even then the finance company might not let you keep it. It's not possible to say one way or the other.

EDIT: As others have said, use this forum to help improve your SOA and situation first.

fermi

earthmother wrote: »

Oh, and it goes without saying to make sure your benefits are all up to date - one of you needs to claim JSA, the tax credits need amending and you'll probably now qualify for housing and council tax benefit.:)

Yep. Check https://www.entitledto.co.uk to make sure you are getting what you should, especially given the change in circumstances.

rayday2

You can run your own DMP all the information you need is on the National Debt Helpline website, they have budget sheets to work out payments and even template letters to send out - a good alternative to bankrupcy! Also telephone support give them a ring.