Step Change debt plan

[causeimunderyourspell]

Has anybody got experience with setting up a debt repayment plan? I have gone through the form and they recommend one, however I'm not sure if the info I have given is ok. The debt plan is for myself, although I am married. The debts are in my name alone so when completing the form, I have included my share of bills. So 50% of rent, electricity etc. Is this correct?

Also do they need proof of living costs? If so what do they need? I can't seem to see any info, I've just got to the the end and then downloaded my personal plan which lists all the figures I have given but nowhere on there can I see requests for proof of everything?

If you have used them would you mind sharing your experience?

How do you split the bills? If you earn roughly the same and each cover 50% of the essentials, then what you’ve done seems fine. If you can’t actually afford 50%, then there’s a problem. It may be worth giving them a call and asking their advice.

I’m not a client but I do work in the industry. As far as I’m aware, they’ll request proof of income and debts only - you won’t have to prove your living costs for a DMP.

I have nothing but praise for stepchange. I was exactly the same, all debt was my own and I was married.
I split the bills and only included my income not my husband's.
They were fantastic, took me 5 years to pay it all back but things are so much better now. I paid 450 a month for 5 years.
Bank if scotland were the worst creditor! Kept charging interested then sold my debt to an awful collection agency who defaulted me. I got the last laugh when I claimed back my ppi and they owed me a fortune.
If you want any other help pm me. It's hard at the start but so worthwhile.

They should be OK with you paying half the bills as long as the amount you earn is roughly equal. If your DH earns a lot more they might expect him to pay more of the bills, so you will have more left over to pay your creditors, especially if it looks like some of the debt benefitted him, eg joint living costs or luxuries such as holidays or meals out that you both benefitted from.

Otherwise he will be keeping more disposable income that they creditors may argue should be theirs.

Another vote for Stepchange. Give them a call really helpful.

I had help from Christians Against Poverty two years ago. They helped me get rid of £42000 debt in one year that I thought I would never see the back of.

@Grantleyreef oh my gosh that's crazy! How did they help you get rid of it in such a short space of time?

I've got in contact with StepChange and the wheels are in motion. I'm just praying none of my creditors decide to carry on and take action against me or something

causeimunderyourspell,
I actually went bankrupt as that was the best option for me. It meant I didn’t have to pay any of my debts off. A repayment plan was just not going to work. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be and I was able to get a Nationwide ‘basic’ bank account with no overdraught facilty and haven’t gone back into debt since. I’m sure Step Change will help you achieve the best solution for you.

Your creditors shouldn’t take any action against you once Step Change get involved.

The most difficult thing was making that first phone call (to CAP for help), after that it was plain sailing.

Once Step change contact your creditors they shouldn't contact you aggressively. They helped my friend a year or so ago. Bailiffs were due the next day and they managed to prevent that from happening. I think he still received letters saying you owe x amount for a short while, but once his DMP was up and running I think this has stopped now.

get step change involved and your creditors just step back a few paces