It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

kidcat

Beki, I have had similar probs with CT a few years back and once you have defaulted one year they have a zero tolerance policy the following year, its not until you have managed a full problem free year do they start being more lenient.
My council told me that the only way out of the situation you are now in was to set up DD payment they could then restart the monthly payment option.
One thing to be aware of is that most councils expect CT to be paid over ten months allowing for two months CT free. However after missing a payment and being forced to set up a DD they set it to run every month till the following April which effectively reduced my monthly payments slightly. So it could be worth you asking to pay over the remaining months till April rather than finish paying in January. Good luck they have to one of the most unpleasant depts to deal with.

mummysaver

Beki wrote: »

Well, we've just recieved a letter from the council tax department Bad news

We defaulted last year so agreed to start paying the arrears on top of the normal council tax. We've now missed one payment of that arrangement and now they want the full £1400-odd in full or they're either taking us to court, threatening the bailiffs, and in the letter it even mentions a warrant for arrest!!! I have NO idea how we're going to deal with this one

Beki, big hugs hun, first things first, don't panic. I've just spoken to my pal who works in our local CT dept, what happens is that they employ someone to deal with arrears, usually they will try and visit you to sort out a repayment plan, if you don't keep to it they will either re-visit or send a letter like the one you received. You can then contact them to agree a plan. If however you don't do anything they will take you to court, if you don't attend or agree anything prior to the hearing you will get a judgement made against you. You will then be contacted by the bailiffs employed by your council, they can agree a repayment plan with you over the phone, or they can agree in person if they visit, they will usually try to come to an arrangement, they do not suddenly appear out of the blue and waltz off with your possessions. You then need to keep to the plan you agree with them, if you don't they will visit and ask for entry to take your possessions, you may be able to negotiate with them and arrange a new payment plan. You can refuse them entry. If you do so, and make no payment provisions, they will then usually take you back to court and a warrant can be issued for your arrest and you can be imprisoned and/or fined.

I think that the above is all accurate, I took notes as she told me! Basically you have lots of opportunity to pay, all you need to do is keep talking to them, and if for some reason you can't meet a payment then you should contact them asap.

Take care hun xx

pagangirl

Some good news folks - saw tv earlier - said British Gas are reducing their prices by 10% on 19th February :T (Hope E-On does the same)

Big dodgy hugs to all who need 'em:grouphug: - a lot more people after catching up on the posts I missed. Sorry for all redundancies - not sure on my job either as only on 12 month contract which runs out end June - we don't know about funding after that (keeping everything crossed) and purse firmly closed unless it's definitely needed and not just wanted.:rolleyes:

Frugalista

OH has just been made redundant - no notice period - company has closed the doors & ceased trading! Worrying thing is he has a company car and, as we live out in the sticks, we need transport. Just waiting for the lease company to contact him direct (maybe we won't answer the phone for a few days and make them write instead, to buy us a bit of time).

Luckily, I have a full storecupboard and freezer and have been stockpiling for a while now (despite OH's mutterings about the overflowing cupboard). I am also a reasonably frugal cook and have just managed to stretch 500g pork mince to make 8 meals. So foodwise, I think we will be OK for the moment - I'm just so worried about all the other bills.

Fortunately, we don't have any debts (other than the mortgage) and we don't have any children - but we do have 9 dogs & 2 cats to feed. I just feel so scared and sick.

Sorry for the moan - I know there is nothing any of us can do - I just needed to sound off!! Thank goodness for this site - and particularly this thread - to keep us all focused.

Beki

Ok first of all - Mummysaver - thank you SO much! i'm going to show what you wrote to my mum and dad and hopefully it'll cheer them up a bit - i think they're worrying just as much as i am. it seems like as long as we get in contact with them and offer to either set up a direct debit or the like, then things *should* be ok. fingers crossed eh!

secondly - frugalista - oh you poor thing!!! what a shock... i can't imagine how you must be feeling. i'm not really sure what to say other than i really hope things turn around for you (((hugs))) xxxx

ceridwen

So sorry to hear of all the people having problems now...its beginning to feel like a constant rollcall going on here....but we do have to keep ourselves and each other going thats for sure.

Kittie - you've made the point a couple of times about surrounding our ourselves mentally-speaking with Light. This IS actually a good idea - and I do do it myself when I remember about it. It helps. I know I was walking through my local Woolworths store the other day (now shut) and found myself starting to feel like I was crying and about to choke and any second was going to end up sitting on the floor "in a heap" - and then I realised that I was doing it again (ie picking up other peoples feelings and thinking that they were my own - I've long since lost count of just how many times that I've done that.....). So - instantly put up the "white light" around myself - and it definitely helped. I was still aware of those feelings - but I had realised that that wasnt how I myself was feeling - and that I was obviously "picking up" the feelings of the staff in the shop.

Putting that "white light" in place does protect you from being "floored" by all the "upset" going on around you - whilst still allowing you to be aware of/sympathetic to anyone nearby who is suffering. We are best able to help both ourselves and other people nearby whilst we have done this. We do need to do what we can to stay as calm as we can manage to deal with whatever is happening - whether to ourselves or other people. That is how I think we are best able to help in a situation - be it our own or other peoples problems.

*moggins*

Fruglalista - I am so sorry to hear your news.

I have to say that as things get worse I am getting increasingly angry, how badly have the government managed things that the whole country has got this bad? I've never been a political person but I firmly remember this happening the last time we had a labour government. I think Tony Blair spent so much time with his head up George Bushes rear end that he couldn't see what was going on in his own backyard!

When I got made redundant in November I just didn't see it coming, maybe I was blind because we had been warned that this was possible but as I was the only one doing the office work and admin I stupidly thought I was safe and because I can't start work at stupid o'clock in the morning because of the school run it's proving impossible to get another job.

catznine

Just popped in to send (((hugs))) to Frugalista, moggins and Beki and anyone else who needs them!

I missed the latest news, wondering now what has happened! To be honest I am avoiding watching now if I can, thank goodness for this thread and the encouragement to store some tins etc. Our dd is taking the next week off (owed holiday and she needs it as she is understandably very stressed) and will find out on her return if she has an alternative job as the 60 days are nearly up! If only she hadn't got the huge student debt, it is so very worrying but I appreciate that she doesn't have a mortgage to pay.

I've spent some time today on mysupermarket.com to check out the prices on all the basic food stuff we buy. Every penny counts now!

Beki

*moggins* wrote: »

I think Tony Blair spent so much time with his head up George Bushes rear end that he couldn't see what was going on in his own backyard!

Absolutely!!! :mad:

elizabunny

Frugalista wrote: »

OH has just been made redundant - no notice period - company has closed the doors & ceased trading! Worrying thing is he has a company car and, as we live out in the sticks, we need transport. Just waiting for the lease company to contact him direct (maybe we won't answer the phone for a few days and make them write instead, to buy us a bit of time).

Sorry Frugalista that you've had such terrible news -what a shock for you and OH. There seems to have been so many sad posts today. We are so fortunate to have this forum where we can all come and share our worries and fears and find some strength and advice. I know you will find support here from everyone -I doubt there are many of us -if any of us that hasn't been affected by this awful crisis in some way or the other. I do feel though, that determination will help to get us all
through. Take care.

Sunflower76 -I have been thinking about you and your OH today -hope things are ok

Maxjessdru -Hope you are ok too.