Hi I was a big poster this time 3 years ago and received a lot of help and advice so it's almost 3 years now and I can't fault Steps change . I sent off review paperwork last Thursday and just received outcome . Payment stays the same at £85 (first year was £100) and they have adjusted figures well to increase allowances . A fantastic no fuss , straightforward company with good communication. Roll on 2020
I am with step change also, have only just posted my proposal so early days. When you have your review how many payslips do you need to send? Or do you send your p60. Although from now on think I will keep all paperwork through the year!
Well done for this far, hope the rest goes quickly.
I was with Stepchange myself, mine ended Aug 2015 and had no bother at all with them.
My payments only went up twice in the 5 year and that was only when they could not "tweak" the expenses more to cover increases in salary.
At the reviews that asked for 3 pay slips plus P60 and if any of my expenses I had put was up by an amount more than expected just to put the explanation in a covering letter.
They never chased up any PPI, just asked me to confirm that the one I had paid to them was the only one I knew about.
Any salary increase was ignored until the annual review then if they could not increase the expenditure by enough you paid 50% of the increase.
Over the time I only had a couple of times when I worked enough overtime to earn more than the 10% above normal so had 14 days to pay 50% of the amount over the 10% extra limit ... could do this via an online banking transfer with an email sent to them explaining the payment and calculation .. it was never queried.
When it came to the equity calculation they said at first they would do it online but when I asked it to be done as a physical valuation due to not being able to carry out repair work to it they sent a valuer out, who they paid themselves, to value it ... actually valued it at less then what I was thinking myself so no equity at all ... 5 year and that was it.
The only downside I found was that the case handler seemed to change on a regular basis but they always answered emails with a couple of days.
Stepchange do seem to handle straightforward cases well --- the only downside is that, when you sign up, you might be handed over to another firm to be dealt with and could end up with a less desirable supervisory company. I have also yet to hear of how they might handle any big problems during the term -- possibly because they cherry pick in the first place.
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
I went to step change as previous company never rang back (although they have now been in touch). Am hearing good and bad about step change, I agree that every time I ring I speak to someone different. They do seem very interested in property matters. I posted before our home bought before I met my husband, bought for from sale of former property and I have never contributed to mortgage. I probably made mistake of saying on preliminary paperwork that under no circumstances would I be able to release equity. I had email back to say they would go for 5yr iva however when received my draught today it said 6 yr due to my interest/no interest in the dwelling property. Maybe I should have fought harder but am so desperate at the moment can't afford another week going to and thro. Just didn't have time and strength to look elsewhere. But onwards and upwards know I have a long road ahead whatever happens but finally feeling positive I have done something. Time will tell if step change are the right decision. Hard to know which path to take when starting out
moira717 wrote:Sorry missed bit out.. said I could not release equity but would go 6 yrs if really had to. Think they read this as go for 6 yrs
Well -- although I don't think an extension or release should have ever been entertained, at least you know from the outset when the end will come, rather than having to jump through hoops near the end of 5 years.
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
moira717 wrote:I am with step change also, have only just posted my proposal so early days. When you have your review how many payslips do you need to send? Or do you send your p60. Although from now on think I will keep all paperwork through the year!
i had to send last 3 months payslip and p60 and last bank statement with any increase in bills highlighted:)
so it's almost 3 years now and I can't fault Steps change . I sent off review paperwork last Thursday and just received outcome . Payment stays the same at £85 (first year was £100) and they have adjusted figures well to increase allowances . A fantastic no fuss , straightforward company with good communication. Roll on 2020 
