Client is a parent of three children all under the age of 16 ……

Client Profile: 

Client is a parent of three children all under the age of 16, client is from overseas and has been in the UK since 2005. The client had NRPF (no recourse to public funds) as her biometric residence permit had been delayed by the Home Office.  

Reason why the client needs advice:

Client has debts of over £20,000 mainly as rent arrears to a private landlord, arising from her lack of NRPF. Client needed help to progress her immigration status. 

What we have done to help the client:

Citizens Advice Harlow advised the client to involve the local MP in order to expedite her biometric residence permit application. The local MP intervened and successfully pleaded with the Home Office for the permit to be granted swiftly. The no access to public funds ruling was lifted as a result. 

Our adviser also assisted the client by submitting her debt into Breathing Space scheme. By taking part in this scheme, our client can get up to 60 days’ respite from interest, fees and court action to reduce stress and give the client time to deal with heir debts. After discussing the various options available to the client with regards to the debt, the client opted to be referred to Citizens Advice DRO (Debt Relief Order) Unit.  We have also assisted the client in applying for the £90 DRO fee to be met by a Foundation Trust. 

Outcome:

The DRO was granted and our client had a total of over £19,000 written off.