Returning To Work - Is It Wise?

Miroslav

With my debts mounting and the sleepness nights getting worse as I await the return of the bailiff banging on my door, I'm wondering if I should seek employment.

I am currently signed off work, due to anxiety/depression etc etc.

I don't think I am ready to return to work by a long shot, however I may have too.

I don't want the few possessions I have taken, or my flatmate to be upset when it happens.

If the bailiffs don't get access, they can refer it back to The Council and suggest imprisonment.

My new advisor, who is hopeless to get hold of, and I get the feeling he's also very amateurish, told me they wouldn't get me sent to prison for £1000 but can I take the risk?

1. The Council Tax is in 2 peoples names, My flatmate would not survive prison.

2. What would happen to my cats? They are everything to me and we'd have no-one to look after them and they'd be scared.

3. It would be the final straw for me to lose it all.

I'm torn with what to do, I'm not sleeping very well and If someone tries to take something away from me, I get very angry and I'm bigger than any bailiff i've ever come across, so I'm not worried about the bailiff getting aggressive, I'm worried about what I could do to the bailiff if/when my anger gets hold of me. I've already got many scenarios in my head.

I know long term it will do me more damage than good, but do I prioritise the short term?

Thanks

PS: I am a gentle giant in reality, people just think because I am the way I am, it will be 'alright' and there is no problem.

Prudent

I am sorry I don't have any good advise to give. Just to say I do understand how you feel about your cats (cats protection league will look after cats for temporary periods for owners in difficult circumstances), but hope the worst doesn't happen.
Looks like you will need to work at some point to clear that level of debt, but make sure you feel strong enough first.

lush_walrus

I might be wrong on this, but arent you making your whole situation worse by not going to work?

By not working you are giving yourself 24hours a day to think about your debts (which can never really be a good thing I would have thought this just mounts your worries) and blocking your opportunity to be able to get back on your feet by restricting your income?

I could be completely wrong but it seems to me all around you would be better off to go to work and give yourself less time to worry about the debts. In the meantime there are lots of people on here who can help you to reduce your outgoings and give you suggestions as to how to deal with the debts if you post in debt free wannabe they will all appear!

wazza

when signed off work do you still get an income? if not can you see if you can get help with council tax rebate or whatever it is called. how long have you been off?

one advice is to make a list of people/establishment etc you owe money to. inform them of your situation and spread your income so that all of them get a samll amount. when they see you are paying something towards the bill and of your circumstances they may back off a bit. i am no expert in this but it is what i would try. i assume your advisor has informed you of this?

Ember999

Miroslav wrote:

With my debts mounting and the sleepness nights getting worse as I await the return of the bailiff banging on my door, I'm wondering if I should seek employment.

I am currently signed off work, due to anxiety/depression etc etc.

I don't think I am ready to return to work by a long shot, however I may have too.

I don't want the few possessions I have taken, or my flatmate to be upset when it happens.

If the bailiffs don't get access, they can refer it back to The Council and suggest imprisonment.

My new advisor, who is hopeless to get hold of, and I get the feeling he's also very amateurish, told me they wouldn't get me sent to prison for £1000 but can I take the risk?

1. The Council Tax is in 2 peoples names, My flatmate would not survive prison.

2. What would happen to my cats? They are everything to me and we'd have no-one to look after them and they'd be scared.

3. It would be the final straw for me to lose it all.

I'm torn with what to do, I'm not sleeping very well and If someone tries to take something away from me, I get very angry and I'm bigger than any bailiff i've ever come across, so I'm not worried about the bailiff getting aggressive, I'm worried about what I could do to the bailiff if/when my anger gets hold of me. I've already got many scenarios in my head.

I know long term it will do me more damage than good, but do I prioritise the short term?

Thanks

PS: I am a gentle giant in reality, people just think because I am the way I am, it will be 'alright' and there is no problem.

Hi Hon,

Sorry to hear you are still suffering large amounts of stress. I am afraid I have to agree with some other posters on here. I would suggest you try to get a job for various reasons, not all financial

1) You will increase your self-esteem being in work.
2) You will therefore reduce stress/anxiety.
3) You will have more money thus enabling you to pay your debts, slowly maybe, but you will have the money to pay them.
4) You will meet people, make new friends, get out of the house! (always a good thing, sitting at home moping makes anyone depressed and lonely)
5) You can make a 'fresh start' and get on with your life rather than it just passing you by. The human mind needs stimulation, you will crack-up if you stay at home vegging forevermore hon.
6) You can provide a secure future for your cats. They need you to be strong, to look after them, provide for them and ensure they don't get taken away from you if you end up in Prison.

People do go to Prison for non-payment of Council Tax, they are on the news all the time. Don't take the risk in non-payment, you liberty is at stake. Please deal with all this before it gets to that stage.

I hope you don't think I am being harsh, but sometimes people need tough love. Get out there and find yourself a job and start on the road to recovery, both emotional and financial.

The job centre has a web site where you can look for suitable work on the web Job Centre Plus

Take a look and start your new life!

Good Luck,

Ember xx

Miroslav

Prudent wrote:

I am sorry I don't have any good advise to give. Just to say I do understand how you feel about your cats (cats protection league will look after cats for temporary periods for owners in difficult circumstances), but hope the worst doesn't happen.
Looks like you will need to work at some point to clear that level of debt, but make sure you feel strong enough first.

Thanks for the advice. The cats protection League sound a good idea.

Miroslav

lush_walrus wrote:

I might be wrong on this, but arent you making your whole situation worse by not going to work?

By not working you are giving yourself 24hours a day to think about your debts (which can never really be a good thing I would have thought this just mounts your worries) and blocking your opportunity to be able to get back on your feet by restricting your income?

I could be completely wrong but it seems to me all around you would be better off to go to work and give yourself less time to worry about the debts. In the meantime there are lots of people on here who can help you to reduce your outgoings and give you suggestions as to how to deal with the debts if you post in debt free wannabe they will all appear!

Possibly, but by going back to work it might make it even worse again, it did before.

Obviously you don't know why I am off work, so you can't be expected to guess.

It may be going to work might help, but as I say, it could get far far worse. Financially it will help, but health wise, it could finish me off.

Miroslav

wazza wrote:

when signed off work do you still get an income? if not can you see if you can get help with council tax rebate or whatever it is called. how long have you been off?

one advice is to make a list of people/establishment etc you owe money to. inform them of your situation and spread your income so that all of them get a samll amount. when they see you are paying something towards the bill and of your circumstances they may back off a bit. i am no expert in this but it is what i would try. i assume your advisor has informed you of this?

Yes, Income Support. I get Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit, but this is an old bill with lots of charges added on, liabilty orders etc

Yup, we been through it all. I don't think he has much idea as it's a company employed by the Job Centre.

Miroslav

Ember999 wrote:

Hi Hon,

Sorry to hear you are still suffering large amounts of stress. I am afraid I have to agree with some other posters on here. I would suggest you try to get a job for various reasons, not all financial

1) You will increase your self-esteem being in work.
2) You will therefore reduce stress/anxiety.
3) You will have more money thus enabling you to pay your debts, slowly maybe, but you will have the money to pay them.
4) You will meet people, make new friends, get out of the house! (always a good thing, sitting at home moping makes anyone depressed and lonely)
5) You can make a 'fresh start' and get on with your life rather than it just passing you by. The human mind needs stimulation, you will crack-up if you stay at home vegging forevermore hon.
6) You can provide a secure future for your cats. They need you to be strong, to look after them, provide for them and ensure they don't get taken away from you if you end up in Prison.

People do go to Prison for non-payment of Council Tax, they are on the news all the time. Don't take the risk in non-payment, you liberty is at stake. Please deal with all this before it gets to that stage.

I hope you don't think I am being harsh, but sometimes people need tough love. Get out there and find yourself a job and start on the road to recovery, both emotional and financial.

The job centre has a web site where you can look for suitable work on the web Job Centre Plus

Take a look and start your new life!

Good Luck,

Ember xx

I understand. I just hope it doesn't affect me mentally & physically

In response

1. Would expect so to a point
2. Need too!
3. Even if I get minimum wage? I would lose HB & CTB
4. Don't know about friends, I never make them easily, people never get to know the real me.
5. I'm not expecting to live for more than 5 years. I just have to work now to clear the debts before it's too late
6. That's why I need to work. I'm just worried it will kill me off early. I guess their is one way to find out. I just worry about my cats and flatmate, leaving them behind to fend for themselves.

I got a letter in the post today, saying they are taking £2.85 out of my Income Support per week for the liability order. I have no idea when this starts, if it means no more bailiffs, or i've escaped prison.

Miroslav

I've just e-mailed my college 'help' to let them know I need to find work and will contact my Job Centre Advisor tomorrow after my home visit from The Council.

I am due to start an English/Maths course, I hope it doesn't get affected as it was the first thing I wa going to do in a year.

londonsaver

What do you mean not expecting to live more than 5 years? If you're that ill, why don't you consider bankruptcy? They will take some possessions, but they're not interested in things that don't have a resell value, and it will clear your debts.