After stressing about my IPOQ for the last few days I decided to post my worries on the forum - I was worried that the OR would decide they wanted to take my pay rise, not allow my increases in expenditure or disallow something that I was allowed in the original IPA.  Ray A and Queenie both told me to contact the OR and explain the increases to them, so I took a deep breath and went for it!

I didn’t speak to my usual case worker, but to another very nice lady who informed that I would be getting a letter (no doubt arriving on Saturday!)  confirming that my IPA would stay the same at £186.  I was so relieved as I now feel that I can plan ahead a bit more as I know what I will take home and what I will pay out for the forseeable future.

I know a lot of people on the forum have had problems with their OR’s recently, but I have found that the staff at my OR’s office have been sympathetic and helpful so credit where it’s due.

I’m a bit late with the update, but here goes!

I spoke to Clarke Willmott after my previous post, and it turns out that they had the wrong collection date on their system, and when the OR checked my account it looked as though I hadn’t paid.  I also spoke to the OR, and they sent me another IPOQ to complete after we moved.

We finally moved on 9th November and I’ve now completed the IPOQ.  My new figures are as follows:

Income: £1345.00
Rent: £200.00
Council tax: £60.00
Gas: £20.00
Electricity: £20.00
Water: £10.00
Telephone: £35.00
Housekeeping: £350.00
Essential travel expenses: £120.00
Clothing: £50.00
TV Licence: £6.00
Contents Insurance: £7.00
Car Tax: £10.00
Car Insurance: £30.00
Car Maintenance: £50.00
Opticians: £25.00
Dentist: £15.00
Prescriptions / Medical: £10.00
Hairdressing: £10.00
Holidays: £20.00

This is a total of £1058.00, leaving me with a surplus of £287.00, which is less than I actually had to begin with!  My main worry is that they will disallow things that they allowed first time around, but I’ll just have to wait and see.  With their track record of making sure that any letters arrive on Saturday, I’m sure that I’ll hear from the OR on Christmas Eve!!!