Hello all,

I've tried to read as many posts as possible but cant pin down the best course of action for my exact circumstances,

I have several mortgage style student loans from 94-98 period that were sold to Honours (HSL/Link outsourcing) back in 1998 but SLC still do the deferment processing. I have always got my deferment forms in on time and have never earned anywhere near the threshold so was looking forward to getting the rolled up "package" of loans cancelled in 2023.

But this year SLC never posted the deferment form and like a fool I didnt get around to chasing them.

Just received on Thusday 18th April a letter dated the 11th from HSL warning of needing to start paying £185 a month when my deferment period runs out on April 24th.

Being naive I phoned SLC who told me to phone HSL

phoned HSL wanted NI number DD etc setup I reluctantly agreed!

They told me SLC deal with Deferments

Phoned them Got to a "supervisor"

they won't resend deferment form but gave me code to log-on to SLC My account type thing which I have never used because have always Dealt with them by post.

I have downloaded the deferment "pack" they never posted to me which and returned it complete with all evidence etc on the 18th and another copy by Signed for post today the 20th. Obviously this will not be processed before my current deferment period ends.

If possible I do not want to give HSL any reason to say that I have any arrears or have broken the contract in any way. but I am loath to make payment By DD or with a card to HSL as I am carer to my spouse and we live on Pension credit and disability benefits So really we cant afford to pay.

I would like to keep trying to engage with SLC and doing the deferment routine for another 5 years until the loans are wiped but I am sure HSL will insist i have defaulted because the deferment cover will have slipped for a few weeks and I will be stuck on the pointless chasing merry-go-round pass the debt to the link financial people etc and I do fear the risk of future CCJ even though I have decades of paperwork proving a right to deferment. I think I have been Deliberately engineered into this situation just wish I had chased SLC for deferment form earlier.

can I cancel the DD with my bank ignore HSL and hope the 3 month rule means they have to backdate the deferment or reluctantly pay HSL sounds bonkers I know and try to claim back?? Fat chance..

The irony is SLC Know of my circumstances because I also have a Plan 1 type loan from 99-200 so I have to fill in an SLC form about that every December because they cant find me through PAYE system for the last few years. BTW yes I did graduate eventually

please help many thanks in advance

Yes cancel the DD. Send a letter to both HSL and SLC explaining your position, that the loans continue to be deferred and you do not have to enter into repayment.

If the custom is that deferment forms are sent to you and you have not moved address, then unless they tell you deferment forms will not be sent, you have a right to believe a form will be sent to you annually so you have a chance to defer when required to do so.

Important to keep this all documented with proof of posting and to stand your ground.

yes They have always sent the forms by post but now SLC have forced me to look at my online account and e-mailed me a temporary log-in to gain access, the deferment pack I printed out filled in and posted back to them is marked on their website as having been posted to me even though it never was. so they could argue it was lost in the post which is unlikely. i am sure it amounts to deliberate entrapment but that would be hard to prove. they have copies of every letter they have written to me since 2003 up on there.

Also HSL have just posted me a copy of their DD agreement filled in with a blue biro pen. the HSL phone jockey advised me that they could not setup a DD for the 25th (the day after my current deferment expires in time so they moved it to the 28th of the month and have sent me a letter confirming they have moved it as I requested, I felt safer with it on the 25th because this way (DD on 28th they could take money And claim I was in arrears for 3 days?).

Can someone please explain this 3 month rule ie can I cancel the DD as you suggest send a copy of the deferment form and evidence to HSL as well and wait for SLC to process the deferment application and hopefully backdate the deferment dates.

I would really like to get this back on track for the next 5 years until the write off point without having them kick me out of the deferment process and try to bully me via link or whoever for at least the next 6 years while I try to ignore them. is this still possible or not??

cancel the DD

send the form

forget about powerless LInk.

Not sure about 3 month rule, speak to SLC about that. If it were me, I would be cancelling the DD and writing as suggested. If you qualify for deferment and would not need to pay anything according to original loan terms, why would you agree to pay anything ? Stick to your guns and write letters to SLC/HSL explaining your position.

Your situation is not unique. Do some reading around online, as others did not receive deferment forms either and have been asked to start making payments.

The companies that bought these debts from Government are struggling to make money from their purchases and people might start to wonder how convenient it is if deferment forms are not being received causing defaults !

yes thank you both for your replies. Its all a bit of a shame really isn't it and certainly not in the spirit of strong rules and protections the Loans were originally granted under!.

I would just like to keep things peaceful if possible and stay on the admittedly pointless deferral system upto the wipe out point

if I cancel the DD before SLC backdate the deferral they will say I am in arrears no matter if I can prove I should be deferred

also if I am silly enough to pay How long will SLC take to process my deferral will thay back date to provide unbroken deferment record and will HSL actually then refund my payments??

is there still away to get back on the SLC deferral routine or will HSL insist I have defaulted causing SLC to say original TandC's don't apply..

Is it still possible not to have the whole thing collapse to Threat-o-gram mode or are SLC determined to stitch me up as well as HSL

just do as post 4

end of the matter

stop worrying.

Just wanted to thank you both for your advice very strongly worded letters sent to HSL and SLC.

My deferment was granted within a few days have and not a squeak from HSL,

will be getting deferment application in with plenty of time to spare next year whether they bother to post me a form or not. once again many thanks.