National and Local Standards for Living and Housing Expenses

[Allen]

My income is low. Can I take LESS than the National Standards for Living and Housing Expenses as per the US Trustee's website and legalconsumer.com in order to have enough to fund a Chapter 13 plan?

[unclerico]

It would be in your best interest (In MY Opinion) to claim the max deduction. This gives you a cushion and a way to put money into savings every month. You will pay less to unsecured creditors. This is what I have concluded from everything I have read, others here with more experience may have a different answer than me.

[optimistic1]

Do me a favor, tell me what your income is, and tell me what your expenses are, monthly figures.

[Allen]

Income and expenses.

My Income is $954 per month. I have not exactly figured my expenses but there would have to be at least enough NDI or MDI to fund enough to pay any secured creditors over a three (maybe five year period). The reason I want to know if I can take LESS than the National Standards is my income would be a negative number below zero if I DID have take those standards and my plan would not be enough to pay any secured creditors and therefore dead in the water since it would not be confirmed.