www.iva.co.uk

I have been in my iva for 18 months having read some of the reviews I have realised that there is a lot of things being claimed that my IP did not mention I could claim, can I add this on my 2nd year review. Also notice some bad reviews about Freeman Jones, I am with them, don't have any problems as such except on 3rd relationship manager in 18 months and only find out I have been changed when I contact them nobody lets me know. Also regarding extra payments at the end of iva, having read my 1st review report it actually states that the iva is up to date with no arrears, if this is the case surely they can't ask for back dated payment, otherwise what exactly are they being paid for?

Hi Welshwiz, what expenses do you now believe you should claim? What has made you anxious about back dated paymenbts? Fletch

Have changed job and increase in pay and possible overtime just making sure it doesn't happen to me, Things like hairdressing, and would like to join gym as 3st overweight, we want to pay back as much as possible to creditors as I firmly believe we built up the debt so should pay as much back, debt wouldn't have been a problem if hadn't been made redundant.

Hi Welshwiz

Hers my take on freeman jones , I have been with them for 58 months . My dealings with them have always been professional and courtious .
They have worked with me and not against me . I have never missed a payment and have really really struggled to pay some months .
My relationship manager has changed lots of times to be honest . This hasn't really bothered me tbh . Each case is different and some more complicated than others .
I wouldn't take much notice of the reviews . If you pick up the phone and explain your questions regarding your other expenses I'm sure they will try and accommodate . I think the problem is , If they allow other expenses this will reduce the amount the creditors will get .

Hope it all works out for you

Thanks mazbrown, as explained want to pay back as much as poss, nice to hear no problems with FJ, I suppose same old same old people only bother to post when they have problems.

Welsh, it is the nature of forums such as these that complaints get posted far more often than the praises, which is a pity as a lot of good work does go on out there.

My firm, GT, are getting a hell of a lot of stick on here, mainly for one aspect of their service, but, so far, I have found them to be very helpful and supportive ( at least those personnel I have dealt with ).

Welshwiz,

Very sensible line of thinking: Claim for those little extras at you annual review, to counteract your pay rise.

Just had my annual review, and I near enough 'maxed-out' all the allowances to off-set a small income increase. Result? IVA payment unchanged, but life is now just that little bit more comfortable .

The Stepchange Budget Guidelines do as you say, provide for little luxuries such as: hobbies, hairdressing, kids pocket money, newspapers/magazines, Sky TV etc. Well worth 'claiming' for, as you never know when you need to off-set against other expenditure/save for emergencies etc...

The guidelines can be found here (just copy and paste this link into your browser):

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7LabJy ... edit?pli=1

Very useful reference regardless.

Good luck.

Thanks for the replies will check Stepchange Budget Uptomyneckinit thanks

The Stepchange budget guidelines change on 1st October 2013.

Apologies if I am not understanding the above but are the allowances in the guidelines what everyone in an IVA should be getting?

I take it that the couple section is applicable if you are both in the IVA yes? So if its just me its the single + Extra Adult + 3 Kids.... If thats true then I can see a littleh wiggle room... yipee

Hi welshwiz,

It looks like you’ve received some good advice here on the forum.

Just to clarify though. Any essential items of expenditure can be taken into consideration. The CCCS guidelines offer an approximate allowance but if you’re spending more, or less, then this will be reflected accordingly.

If you’re finding payments a struggle due to these items, then please don’t wait until the review. You can pop me an email to Steve.hewitt@freemanjones.com, and we’ll look into things straight away for you.

Thank you