IPA's ??

stressed_out_6

Hello all, my first post so deep breath...

Went BK since 21/11/07

Had a dreadful telephone interview with OR. I know they are not paid to be sympathetic but it was horrid, and I felt so low afterwards, anyhoo, got a letter about an IPA for £90 per month, which I sent in letter saying it was unreasonable, then got another letter saying about early discharge, and another income and expenditure form.

Filled it in, including increases in CT utilities, blah blah and haircuts and holiday which I discovered that the OOR can allow! Then got another letter saying my IPA would now be £117 per month!! God only knows how he came to that figure.

My question is that is it worth challenging again? I'm so worn out with all this and will just pay it and be done with it?

My pay varies each month, I work on an average of £1,400 P/M, with expenses of £1,171, but for the last 2 months I only cleared £1,200.

Dont want to be deemed uncoperative or anything, but he hasnt even provided details of how he has reached the figure for the IPA, should he ?

Any help, thoughts comments greatly appreciated, I am not totally fed up, under the GP for depression again and wish this would all go away.

homer01

im not sure with the ip thing, it might be worth a letter though explaining what you have said above and just asking for an explanation - its not unreasonable to ask questions x

blind-as-a-bat_2

From what you have put it is ureasonable for you to enter into an IPA for that fixed amount as you not always going to be able to make it assuming you have presented realistic living expenses.

I understand your tired of fightig but you have every right to ask how they reached that figure AND i have seen evidence where the examiner was so eager to get an IPA they got there sums wrong so i would urge you to at least ask for clarification as to the amount they have come to, you can then decide to contest i or not then.

Just remember an IPA is a voluntary agreemant so dont feell forced to agree if you truly think its unreasonable

dalip

Hi
Don'y know if this is any help but i have an IPA of £50 a mth.When OR sent letter for me to sign he also sent a copy of my expenditure,with all the sums at the bottom of how they arrived at that figure.The least they should have done was this,so request they send you a statement of how they arrived at that figure.Worth a try. There again i know how you feel.I have become unemployed but will continue to pay my IPA as i dont want to go throught all the rigmorole again.Hope you get it sorted.Dalip

Lizzibuff

I challenged my IPA and ended up not paying one - keep at it.

As dalip said you should have received a breakdown of how they calculated that figure - i used figures the or had confirmed were ok in the original IPOQ and then completed a 2nd IPOQ adding additional expenses and a reduction of my income.

It is worth challenging - don't get stuck with an IPA you can't afford or your never gonna be able to get your head above water. I know its hard to keep fighting but better to fight now for a month or even two then cripple your finances for the next three years!

Good luck.

wherediditallgo

The only thing you might lose out on by challenging the decision is your ED (because you contesting the IPA may delay the ED being processed), which in the grand scheme of things isn't so bad, as EDs aren't guaranteed anyway.

There's no point in agreeing to an IPA that you (a) don't understand, & (b) can't afford. I wasn't sent the figures for my IPA, but as it's £50 & I expected one much higher, I didn't question it. You on the other hand have been given one that you already felt was unreasonable & which has now been increased. You are entitled to an explanation of how the figure was reached. I know it's draining, but struggling to pay an IPA for the next 3 years that was unaffordable from the very beginning will be too. Ask for a breakdown of the assessment, & don't stop until you get it. If the OR doesn't provide it & instead starts going on about the possibility of taking you to court, don't worry or panic. The OR will have to provide a breakdown of your assessment for the court whether he likes it or not, & it costs money to bring the matter to court, so it's in his interests to avoid things going so far.

blind-as-a-bat_2

wherediditallgo wrote: »

The only thing you might lose out on by challenging the decision is your ED (because you contesting the IPA may delay the ED being processed), which in the grand scheme of things isn't so bad, as EDs aren't guaranteed anyway.

There's no point in agreeing to an IPA that you (a) don't understand, & (b) can't afford. I wasn't sent the figures for my IPA, but as it's £50 & I expected one much higher, I didn't question it. You on the other hand have been given one that you already felt was unreasonable & which has now been increased. You are entitled to an explanation of how the igure was reached. I know it's draining, but struggling to pay an IPA for the next 3 years that was unaffordable from the very beginning will be too. Ask for a breakdown of the assessment, & don't stop until you get it. If the OR doesn't provide it & instead starts going on about the possibility of taking you to court, don't worry or panic. The OR will have to provide a breakdown of your assessment for the court whether he likes it or not, & it costs money to bring the matter to court, so it's in his interests to avoid things going so far.

If your OR starts doing that i would also question his/her motives as your not asking anything that is unreasonable:rolleyes:

stressed_out_6

Thanks all so much for you really helpful and supportive replies. Will write and ask for a statement of the breakdown of the calculations as suggested. Not worried about the ED at all BTW! Have had a good look around the site and it is so good, great posts and lots of support. Will let you know how I get on. xx

debt_doctor

I agree with the above, if your not happy then dont sign and see if the OR will take it to court where he must justify his actions.

Good luck

DD

stressed_out_6

I'm just worried cos, I actually live with my other half, but have not said so. We are not linked financially, I'm not even on the tenancy agreement, and do pay for half the rent and bills. I am cabin crew and have a very low basic, £900 P/M and make up the rest in allowances for flying. Now if I'm off either sick or on leave, I am on basic pay. I usually take 2 leave days a month to spread out my leave as having a whole week off effects my take home so much. We are able to withdraw cash for our allowances, and I normally take out about £200 P/M to supplement my income it also keeps my take home money down too. I try not to spend anything unless I have to when I am out of the UK to try to hoard it, but this is hard and I end up living off aircraft food!!! Other half is wonderfully supportive and caring. I was upset today and he said he is going to take me out to buy some new clothes on Monday to cheer me up, and boy do I need some!!

dalip

What a great partner you have.It does help a great deal when you have support like that. If you get a break down from the OR put it up here and the experts will run there eye's over it to see if your OR is being unreasonable.Dalip