www.iva.co.uk

I've only lurked on these boards in recent months, as I've been trying to concentrate on looking for a job - kind of wanted to put the IVA to the back of my mind so I didn't start to panic about everything!

We started our IVA in August and I was made redundant at the end of September. McCambridge Duffy negotiated a 6 month payment break for me in which to try and get my foot back on the ladder. One less thing to worry about, that's for sure.

I was aware it would be difficult getting another job but the reality was far worse than I imagined. I have two children and childcare expenses has made it so hard - the only job I was offered an interview for would have brought in a salary worth half my childcare costs, tax credits are £10 a week so that wouldn't have helped! The Job Centre told me they couldn't help as I work in a 'niche' market, and at 13 weeks they turned hardball and were very unrealistic about jobs I could apply for - and admitted that they could only offer re-training and other paths into work if I was between 18-24. Depressing to feel like you're on the scrapheap at the ripe old age of 32!

My ex-employer has a new business now and has finally offered me some work, but for a third of what I was earning before. At least it's something, but I know that it's unlikely we'll be able to maintain the IVA. My childcare is marginally higher than the salary, but it's the only way to retain childcare places whilst I soldier on looking for better paid work. I've just sent a letter off to MD explaining our circumstances as I started work yesterday - the Job Centre have still not passed on my P45 so who knows when I'll get paid!

Hi Lemsip - I'm glad you've managed to get some work, I still think it's easier to get work when you are in work, and anything is better than nothing.

Maybe McCambridge Duffy will be able to get a variation through for you where the payments/dividend is lower? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you - they have been excellent with me through all my issues and I cannot fault their professionalism (if that's a word!!)

Yes it's so much easier when you're already in a job and looking for something else. I was applying for anything I thought I could do other than my usual occupation. Cleaning, admin, basic accounts - anything to bring in some money. People don't like giving feedback either so I've no idea what else I could do to improve my chances. One lad around our area got on the front page of the local paper as he'd applied for thousands of jobs and was fed up of being rejected - that resulted in getting an offer. Pretty desperate times if you need to have your story in the paper to get anywhere!

The drop in salary swallows up our IVA payments and as my expenditure is pretty much the same it doesn't look good. I think I'm past the panic stage now and taken too much of a beating these past few months to be waking up at night in cold sweats. I think the Job Centre sucked out all the life in me - just have to take it on the chin and deal with whatever may be, I guess.

Hi Lemsip and nice to see you.

Glad you've found some work and hope you can get a better paid job as well.

Hopefully McD will be able to help you in the meantime.

Presuming you handed in your P45 when making your claim to benefit, a new P45 should be issued to you on closure of your claim to benefit - normally within 5 working days of your final payment and claim being closed - it will come straight to your home address.

Thanks luluj, I phoned them today, they said about 7 days from the final date of claim which could possibly mean a delay in my first pay packet as it's weekly. Hopefully it will turn up before Friday though.

Well McCambridge Duffy have received my letter, I'm just waiting for a call back now. To say I feel sick with nerves is an understatement!

Fingers crossed Lemsip!!

The lovely Amanda has just sent me a new I&E form and then if there's anything left at all, it's for the creditors to agree on reduced payments.

Nerves have settled now. I think it's fear of the unknown - I was more nervous waiting for that call than I was before my wedding!!!

That's good news - hopefully they will agree.