Just as I thought

A question about : Just as I thought

Apparently, according to Maidstone CAB - since we're a couple we have to do the DRO jointly

I know this is wrong.

They also want us to come in with SoAs, and look everything over before letting us talk to anyone, so I can ask how they want the SoAs lol.

Also, I do not think Maidstone CAB even *has* Approved Intermedioaries because the woman in the money advice section did not know what this was.

I had to explain the criteria for a DRO, etc and she still drew a blank.

Still on hold - 26 minutes and counting.

That will be fun for my phone bill.

I cannot believe it.

Actually I CAN - given that this was exactly what happened in January.

So, to return to my first question to this board:
To whom shall I turn?

I am guessing National Debtline?

Best answers:

• Have you tried the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) ?
  Might be as good a place to start as any.
• and now, finally off the phone - and I was told that I was incorrect, that all assistance is free, and there's no charge and when I said I could email a PDF concerning DROs to them, for clarification, I was told "I don't need to see that because that's not my job."
  I explained, calmly, that the fee is paid to the Insolvency Service - not to them and well. No one actually knew what I was one about.
  Sigh.
• I would also consider sending in a complaint to their manager in all honesty, as the only way things will change with them is if they are brought to light. They should be giving full advice and debt relief orders or be able to refer you to someone who can.
• Hello,
  They sent me to PayPlan.
• We have a team of highly qualified people who work on DRO applications. We have several intermediaries who will be able to assist you during every step of your DRO.
  You are correct in that you have to pay a small fee to the Insolvancy Service. Last time I checked, this was Ј90 and you pay it at the Post Office. However that is all you will pay.
  Good luck with everything, if you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to ask.
• ^5 and thanks :-) I have just come off the phone with them - they have done a JOINT budget - Ј21 surplus between us - sending DRO pack out by email. Seems they realise that though they do the budget and bills jointly, (why?) the DROs must be separate.
  So, I guess the DRO unit just looks through it to see how to split it up?
  Quote:
• According to CABLINK, Maidstone CAB does have at least one Intermediary (guess it could be out of date). It lists for the Southeast:
  • Andover
  • Ash
  • Ashford & Tenterden
  • Banbury
  • Bishop’s Waltham
  • Brighton & Hove
  • Buckingham, Winslow and District
  • Canterbury
  • Central Sussex (Crawley)
  • Central Sussex (Horsham)
  • Dartford
  • Didcot & District
  • East Hampshire
  • Eastbourne
  • Eastleigh
  • Esher & District
  • Fareham
  • Gravesham
  • Guildford
  • Hart District
  • Havant
  • High Wycombe
  • Leatherhead & Dorking
  • Lewes & Seaford
  • Lymington
  • Maidenhead
  • Maidstone
  • Medway
  • Milton Keynes
  • New Milton
  • Newport, Isle of Wight
  • Oxted
  • Portsmouth
  • Reading
  • Reigate & Banstead
  • Romsey & District
  • Rushmoor
  • Rother District
  • Runnymede
  • Sevenoaks & Swanley
  • Shepway
  • Shoreham & Southwick
  • Southampton
  • Swale
  • Thanet
  • Tonbridge
  • Tunbridge Wells
  • Walton & Weybridge
  • Waverley
  • Wealden
  • West Berkshire
  • West Oxfordshire
  • West Sussex (Adur & Worthing)
  • West Sussex (Bognor Regis)
  • West Sussex (Arun & Chichester)
  • West Sussex (Lancing)
  • West Sussex (Littlehampton)
  • Whitehill & Bordon
  • Winchester
  • Woking
  • Wokingham
  • 1066 (Hastings)
• You called the right number, except when calling from a CAB you automatically get referred to National Debtline as they will look at your situation more thoroughly.
• Citizens Advice aren't all that great because they are too choosy re. their volunteers (they won't take people with experience in other areas of advice work)...but they have been overwhelmed with debt enquiries recently...I'd recommend C.C.C.S.