CCA query - will I p**s off the lenders?

Lexis200

Hi

I'm hoping someone can help...

I've got a payment plan going with all my lenders (all CC's), and have been on them for just over a year. They're not long term - all between 3 and 6 months at a time - and then I have to request an extension. This has been working as I say for the last year, but on my most recent request 2 of the lenders are giving me some problems.

I can not afford more than I have offered and have sent in my I&E to them (again!!) which details this, along with copies of tax credits awards etc as proof of income, but they seem pretty adamant that they won't accept my offers.

I have had both these cards for about 8 years (and paid minimums without issue on time for 7, then had a few strokes of bad luck and wasn't able to pay from last year), so is it likely that they will still have the agreement/application form, or do they 'lose' them after a while if you show no problems with your account?

Having read a load of posts about applications/agreements, I'm pretty certain I did sign an application for them, but I don't recall signing an actual agreement - does this make any difference?

Also, one is with the original creditor and one is with a DCA.

As it stands, I don't think they are looking like backing down on the payments, but obviously I can't be sure of this. If they're not going to let me pay what I can afford, then I figure I have nothing to lose by going down the CCA route, BUT, if they are just trying it on to see if I can magic non-existent money from somewhere, is requesting this information likely to make them as unhelpful as they can manage?

I'd really appreciate anyone's thoughts on this

CCCS_Alan

Hi Lexis200

Creditors no matter what they say can’t make you pay what you don’t have. If you have presented them with your income and expenditure and its realistic stick to what you are paying. The only way you could increase payments would be to cut into things like your food budget which is unrealistic as you are the most important thing in your budget and creditors are secondary.

Creditors will always try to pressure people into paying more as most agents you deal with work on commission so will say or try anything to increase the bonus.
Keep paying what you can afford, as if and when you get your CCA your situation will not have changed, and you will still only be able to pay £X to your creditors as you have already been doing.

Have you looked at contacting one of the advice agencies to see if this route is definitely the best option for yourself? You may find that you can get support of a DMP through this route which may make things easier between you and your creditors, or even other options may be open for you to pursue.

Regards

CCCS_Alan

Lexis200

Thanks for your reply, that's very helpful.

At the moment I need to stick as I am - my other half is self employed (very long story short, I got sick, he needed too much time off work to look after me/kids, he couldn't go back into employment for same reason) and not getting any sort of regular income at the moment which I think rules out a proper DMP (please do tell me if I'm wrong on that one!). Doing my own payment plans has been working, albeit with glitches like this, and hopefully it will carry on working for now.

I know deep down they can't get me to pay more than I have, but I just feel so ridiculous saying 'sorry, I can't give you the extra £3' or whatever they're after.