info: CCCS PAYPLAN experiences

[SharpmanTF1]

Hi all,

 

Would like to know of anybodies experiences and problems when dealing with these organisations. Also what resolutions you found to any of the problems you came across.

 

Thanks

 

Sharpman

[Penfold92]

Hi Sharpman,

 

To my knowledge these are decent enough companies that help many people...

 

Maybe if you are more specific to your problem others may comment?

 

Penfold

[green_and_mean]

Payplan have been great as far as my debt is concerned I have £26,000 over 5 lenders all sorted out with one managable payment. All the interest has been frozen to, which does make me laugh as I did ask 3 of the lenders for a consolidation loan with roughly the same monthly payments as I make now and they all refused so I get debt free sooner and they get less of my money!

[SharpmanTF1]

Got turned down by Both companies.

 

Because my free cash was less than £100.00 payplan didn't want to know.

When I gave revised figures to CCCS, also below £100.00 they also did not want to help me.

 

CCCS were 'kind' enough to send me a pack of letters and their I&E sheet with suggested Pro rata payments. then sent me on my merry way with a suggestion to call back if my cash flow is any better.

 

Now if they weren't willing to take me on due to the low sum for any particular reason - perhaps they thought that creditors would not play ball. Then how would they expect lowly old me with no backing at all (apart from this very informative and helpful site (due to me finding this site things, at the moment don't look so grim) supposed to persuade them.

 

But at least CCCS were a little helpful in that respect.

 

Payplan didn't even ask for a full expenditure sheet. they asked income, and council Tax. then that was it, sorry guv you're not affluent enough (filled the rest in according to government guidelines (did not divulge what these were)). so I don't even know what free cash they have me down for.

 

Payplan suggested I remortgage for an even higher mortgage and get into even more debt. which is all well and good for a quick fix, but then i'd be just as bad off, because i'd have a bigger debt with a bigger danger of losing my house altogether if I couldn't keep up the bigger payments.

 

Any way thats by the by.

 

Sharpman.

[Penfold92]

Well def do not remortgage to secure unsecured debts!!!

 

I assume you have CCAed the debts to check they are all enforceable? Have any gone to CCJ yet?

 

You are in the right place to get help right here anyway...This is not our jobs that's all...

[SharpmanTF1]

Yeah, started the process.

Sent them off after I contacted CCCS a week or so ago.

Had the usual default letters from the DCAs.

Sent my offers of Pro Rata for the duration upto the 12th day to confirm CCA posession.

 

I've had to hold fire on NATIONWIDE Credit Card and Overdraft as I've just opened a basic account but don't have a card to draw out yet. (just got a letter to advise me another load of interest and charges being applied.)

 

Currently going thru process of contacting relevant people to change details over. ie all the ones who are paying in .

 

it's a waiting game now.

 

Sharpman.

[green_and_mean]

How much is the debt?

[tomterm8]

Each company has slightly different policies... however, IMHO I think although CCCS and PayPlan may accept different people, their level of service is roughly the same.

 

Got turned down by Both companies.

 

Because my free cash was less than £100.00 payplan didn't want to know.

When I gave revised figures to CCCS, also below £100.00 they also did not want to help me.

 

.

 

IIRC, The citizens advice bureau will do DMPs for people with under £100 disposable; worth contacting them.

[SharpmanTF1]

How much is the debt?

 

Combined Unsecured debt of a little over £20,886

comprising credit cards, overdraft, and Catalogue.

 

My original free cash figure was £174.00 but I gave the wron figure for my take home pay.(gave a figure that included Overtime that is not guaranteed)

 

which made my figure a little shy of £90.00 free

 

This is when CCCS baulked on me.

 

Sharpman.

[jumpjet]

I was paying the CCCs £250p/m until my wife lost her job. She now earns less in her new job and the income review suggested that we too could only pay £90 and they would'nt normally act for clients for less than £100. they could'nt have been more helpful in that they swapped a few figures around and made it fit really........Just making the £100 limit. And will continue for a year then review.

 

The only complaint I would have with them is that they will not stop payments to disputed accounts.

[citizenB]

My DH phoned CCCS when he first got into trouble with repayments after taking a personal loan out with HSBC joint account without my permission. CCCS would not take put him on a DMP because he only had about £30.00 excess funds after essential expenditure. During his phoned interview the counsellor suggested putting our house up for sale although there isnt a great deal of equity in it. They then suggested that I put my excess income into the pot and basically default on my credit cards so that everyone of the debts would get something. At the moment I am CCAing all of my DHs creditors just to give a bit of breathing space. I will then think seriously about a DMP plan but possibly trying it on my own first.

[sequenci]

Payplan and CCCS both have a minimum threshold of £100 for surplus income. CCCS do have a 'low-start' DMP available which can start from £50/month but you would have to be able to up your payments to £100 within the first 6-12 months.

 

For folks that don't have the £100 surplus you could liase with your creditors yourself although I appreciate it can be an uphill struggle. If you wish to enlist the help of a CAB PLEASE make sure you seek an appointment with a trained 'Money Adviser' as the lay advisers (as much as they do a fine job) do not have the specific training to assist you.

 

You can find a great deal of help, budget sheets, sample letters and a great self-help guide at National Debtline, for FREE CONFIDENTIAL and INDEPENDENT ADVICE call 0808 808 4000

[SharpmanTF1]

Payplan and CCCS both have a minimum threshold of £100 for surplus income. CCCS do have a 'low-start' DMP available which can start from £50/month but you would have to be able to up your payments to £100 within the first 6-12 months.

 

For folks that don't have the £100 surplus you could liase with your creditors yourself although I appreciate it can be an uphill struggle. If you wish to enlist the help of a CAB PLEASE make sure you seek an appointment with a trained 'Money Adviser' as the lay advisers (as much as they do a fine job) do not have the specific training to assist you.

 

You can find a great deal of help, budget sheets, sample letters and a great self-help guide at National Debtline, for FREE CONFIDENTIAL and INDEPENDENT ADVICE call 0808 808 4000

 

Thanks for the info

I was not made aware of this by either payplan or CCCS. That was not even put to me.

 

At the moment I'm at the CCA/pro rata stage. fingers crossed. The info on this site has been a great boost to me. it shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The debt problems we have been having have hit my OH hardest of all. She blames her self for a lot of it. but I keep telling her that that's not true as we both have debts within the combined figure.

 

But this site has eased her mind a little.

 

Sharpman

[sequenci]

I'm glad this site has been of help. You're in good company here. If you have any concerns or queries just shout. As well as as site helper on here I'm a debt counsellor in the day job so am in a reasonable position to assist you if anything crops up.

 

Best wishes!

[SharpmanTF1]

I'm glad this site has been of help. You're in good company here. If you have any concerns or queries just shout. As well as as site helper on here I'm a debt counsellor in the day job so am in a reasonable position to assist you if anything crops up.

 

Best wishes!

 

Thanks peeps,

I'll bear that in mind if things get a little sticky.

 

Sharpman

[ScarletPimpernel]

The thing to remember abut both Payplan and CCCS is that their function is to negotiate repayment. They have no interest in whether or not the creditor or DCA has a right to collect, or even if the debt exists at all. So, before approaching them for a DMP, make sure you've done any necessary CCA requests and put in a claim for any penalty charges.

[gh2008]

Just thought I'd post my experience if it's of any use.

 

I approached PayPlan 2 yrs ago £36k unsecured & no home or full time employment.

 

They were great 1st people I spoke to who didn't just treat me a lowlife.

They accepted my £95 and have done for 2 yrs.

 

Now I have found CAG I have started taking control, I have started sending off CCA requests etc.

 

One of my creditors has 'admitted' no paperwork, whilst I now pursue this, I asked PayPlan to stop paying that creditor (explained what I was doing etc.) and they have agreed and asked me to keep them informed about the others.

 

So no, they are not interested in the hard work of proving debts etc. that's not what they do, but they did provide me with breathing space for nearly 2yrs handling 11 creditors & keeping them, all at bay.

BTW I had tried negotiations with the creditors before approaching PP but they were just not interested

 

gh

[nuthatch]

We have £69000 of unsecured debt and are in a DMP with CCCS. The debt was £84000 but its coming down as you can see.

Initially we paid £105 per month but this is now £418, distributed amongst 12 creditors.

We really appreciate the way CCCS took the pressure off as OH and I were just about suicidal over trying to cope with the creditors.

With the help of CAG we reclaimed bank charges last year. We are now going to start sending off CCA requests having read the info on these forums for a few weeks.

CCCS gave us a welcome breathing space and allowed us to gather our reserves for the next part of the battle.

The only problem I can identify is, it is very hard to get through on the phone as its so busy but any email query is answered within 48hrs which is fine.

[Pinkpegasus]

Hi, I'm with Payplan and have been now since about 2005.

They really helped me out and were very reassuring. During the setting up process and the settling in stage I was handled by an advisor here in England, but as things are now just ticking away, I have been passed to an advisor in another country who doesn't understand my accent, and I don't understand theirs.

I recently wasn't able to make a payment via their phonelines as the foreigh advisors dont have switch machines - now I use the website which is just up and running.

 

I have also been advised to clear my debt when I remortgage!!!! Which according to a lot of users on here is a big no no!

I also requested full and final settlement figures (in case I did remortgage) and payplan said if I couldn't raise 80% then it wasn't worth me doing it.

They said that I shouldn't pay off just one creditor if I got a lump sum together as the others would find out and go after me for the money!

 

I had considered asking some creditors if they would accept about 50-60% but after reading threads on here, and looking at template letters, the amount to start at is a really low percentage and 50% is what I should work up to.

 

I was wondering if I am able to send off CCA requests like the above two posters have done, but am scared it will invalidate my DMP. Can anyone confirm this please?

[citizenB]

I have now received all the paperwork from CCCS for a joint debt management plan. However, to keep creditors at bay, I had CCAd/SARd everyone. As only 3 have replied with the correct paperwork, should I contact CCCS and advise them that I want to delay going on the DMP until such times as these companies have come up with the information I have requested ? Should I even mention to CCCS that I am pursuing these companies to prove the enforceability of the debts ?.

[freakonomics]

Payplan just refused point blank to handle my case for a DMP because it was for under 8000. I'm definitely starting to think these organisations do little for those with little disposable income (who likely were never able to borrow anything close to that amount in the first place).

[sequenci]

Payplan just refused point blank to handle my case for a DMP because it was for under 8000. I'm definitely starting to think these organisations do little for those with little disposable income (who likely were never able to borrow anything close to that amount in the first place).

 

Try CCCS, they usually go down to £5k.

[SharpmanTF1]

hi,

Heres one for the legal beagels

 

I approached CCCS with regards to going on a DMP. After consultation they put me in touch with a Mortgage company to remortgage to consolodate my current secured mortgage/loan - as it happens this will be a bonus as my mortgage payments will be reduced by a couple of hundred.

 

Now whilst having the consultation with CCCS they were telling me what I was entitled to have as outgoings according to government guidelines. The figures The counsellor came out with were considerably less than what the government says i should have ( especialy in regards to housekeeping/food etc (2 adults, 2 kids )

 

Was advised to reduce my housekeeping. don't let my kids have school meals (send in with packed lunch - but still have to find this extra from a reduced figure)(hope that makes sense.)

 

Any way to cut a long story short ......

My free cash ended up being £74.00 (managed to get it upto £86.00)

 

My counsellor told me that due to the small sum available thay would not be able to take my case on. They sent me a pack with letter templates to send out to my creditors so I could take them on my self.

 

-------

 

Here's the question I have

 

I have now found out that the CCCS have been having discussions about my financial situation with the mortgage company that they put me in touch with. There has been no information passed to me about this from CCCS.

 

I was under the impression that the CCCS discuss your situation in confidence.

 

I'm now worried that the Mortgage company will divulge any figures that come as a result of me taking out the remortgage.

 

The savings I make will be used to take out Life insurance, House/contents insurance etc.

Get the correct government guide lines entitlements etc.

 

Any one know how I can approach both sides without jepordising the remortgage.?

 

Sharpman

[ammani]

I contacted the CCCS when i got into financial problems because of my separation and then divorce. I found them to be unhelpful, and they kept duplicating accounts, when there was only one. And when i was served with a ccj from one of the creditors i was paying, through the CCS,they didnt tell me i could defend my case and i ended up with a ccj. They also advised me to go bankrupt which i didnt want to do. So i took it all on by myself, and did a far better job.

[poochball]

Hello,

 

I was with Payplan in 2004 and 2005. They were very useful as they helped me take control of my debts and make payments towards them. I stopped my Payplan arrangement in the Middle of 2005 and made direct arrangements with all my creditors at the time (11 in total). I felt confident enough to management my debt problem on my own. I am now down to four debts and have been managing payments fine by myself thanks to Payplan showing me the way. I will be debt free in September this year. £24000 of debt to £0. I am so glad I decided to pay it off and not take bankruptcy or an IVA. It also feels like a big achievement.

 

The only problem I had with Payplan was due to a DCA not informing them the account was being collected by another company.

 

I had to file a S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) and then get the money I paid back from the DCA Suspense account.

 

Payplan are a really good idea, especially when you are in debt and unsure what to do.