You can apply, but will fail the credit checks. However, this doesn't seem to worry some suppliers and many of us have upgraded phones, even been given new contracts, and TV packages during our IVAs --- but we are very much at the bottom of the pile and, I suspect, selection depends to a degree on the providers marketing targets at the time of application.
Remember though that any new expenses caused by the upgrade / new contract might have to be funded by sacrificing other expense allowances --- from the shopping budget for instance -- as the IP might not agree increase expense allowances for these things.
My opinions are merely that .. opinions based on experience. Always seek professional advice.
IVA Completed 23rd July 2013 .... C.C. 10th January 2014
If you already have a mobile phone I would stick with your current provider and just upgrade if necessary. I upgraded several times during mine and because I was already with a provider they didn't have to do a credit check.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I have switched providers using sim only contacts. Good if you can use existing phone or fund a new one.
Actually applied last night for an o2 account. As normally happens it doesn't go through straight away they go off and do 'extra' checks. Haven't heard yet if o2 will say yes. Three & virgin have accepted me.
I just with O2 as I've been with them for years. Managed to upgrade phone and tariff a couple of times during my IVA. I did look at 3 at one point and they wouldn't touch me with a 10ft barge pole.
Same with Sky, broadband, tv and phone all sorted during IVA, just upgraded the equipment with no problem.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I have upgraded twice during the lifetime of my IVA. I read somewhere that so long as you upgrade with them directly you are better placed, my network apparently only decide based on you having paid your last 3 bills on time. I also saw that places like carphone warehouse were ending contracts and starting new ones without people knowing because of commission on a new line being more lucrative. Not sure how much truth in all this, but I definitely have upgraded twice without issue and darent try a new network yet.
