Help..Is BR the best option???

back_on_track

(Appologies to anyone who has read my post already, READ NO FURTHER!!... but I moved my thread to BR as it seemed more suitable)

Hi moneysavers :j

Just wondering if anyone can offer any advice regarding my ex hubbys situation. Its a bit complicated mind, so appologies if its a bit long and makes little sense! :rotfl:

My ex hubby and I seperated 3 years ago, and my he took it very badly.
His house was reposessed as he gave up working (hes a self employed builder)
He had debts through a couple of loans of about £25,000 total i think. He stopped paying these too.
He hasnt worked properly since the seperation, apart from the odd cash in hand job that crops up through friends.
He hasnt had his own property again,or rented as he simply stayed at familys, and friends house, and had no proof of address for these, as his bank account was closed.
He ran away from everything basically as he was hurting, and no financial people could find him.

However, this year he has been finally facing up to things, and his mistakes, and trying to make a life for himself, and get back on track. He wants his kids to be proud of him, and can come and stay with him etc. Like it should be.

A friend of his helped out for a while. Gave him a job, though a bit few and far between, and also found him a place to rent, through another friend.

The debt collectors for the loans have now caught up with him through his rented address, so unsure what to do he went to CAB. They told him his only choice was to probably go bancrupt. But he has absolutely no assests, so what can they sell off to pay these debts if he has nothing anyway? He has no house/car/furniture. He literally has his clothes on his back?
The tax man also contacted him, saying he owes them thousands as when he stopped working after we split up,he did not tell the tax man he no longer self employed work, so I guess they assumed he has been working all this time, which he hasnt.

He couldnt get a basic account as he couldnt prove adressess, and he had no bill in his name, and he was failed on credit score.

His situation right now: hes struggling to find building work through winter, and so money is tight, and he hasnt paid rent.
His landlord has kicked him out, and he currently has no job till after new year doing a friends small extension.
He is again crashing at friends/community houses, till something else comes up. (like what i dunno?)

He went to council at one point, but isnt very good at explaining it all, and doesnt like asking for help anyway. The council want your life story!
They told him they couldnt really help, as he had made himself homeless(repossession through arreas), and he had no address for them to contact him?? isnt that why he is talking to them?:rolleyes:

So if anyone has ANY advice I would really really appreciate it.
Im willing to go to places to help him explain better, as i dont think he will push things through himself.

I have told him to consider another job, for the time being,as if he goes into self employed building again, its not good with guaranteed wages, as it all depends on how much work you can get. So like in winter when work dies down, he will have little money, and if he does rent privately how will he know he can keep up payments etc. IYKWIM?

HELP... feels like hes gonna be in this situation permanantly

holchar

hi
im not as clued up as some of the guys on here but i have had a lot of experience dealing with the council.
Firstly Br sounds like the best option esp as yr ex has no assets. But also getting in contact with the council again , you do have to be persitent and sometimes it really does depend on who you speak too. Try and speak to the actual housing department and not just the front desk.
Maybe you could go along in an advocat capacity?
Like they advise on here mos importantly seek advice, the links are all here on the board and CAB for housing advice, maybe ask about housing groups like the Benjamin foundation ( who help support homeless people get back into accomadation) There is lots of support out there , you just got to go find it.
This site is very good also
all the best jx

deedee_3

Back on track get your ex to talk to National Debtline or the CAB and to go through all his options with them.

Also check on https://www.entitledto.co.uk to see what benefits he should be recieving.

debt_doctor

Hi, to deal with his debts, BR seems to be the only option, but no doubt, due to costs alone (£345, no court fee) will not happen just yet.

Income - is he at least claiming JSA ? Its £60.50 per week, not much I know, but if he then gained council accomodation then all the rent and council tax would be covered by the relevent benefits.
The problem with an application for homelessness s that he does not have any 'priority need' ( test 3)unless he can b deemed as 'vulnerable'. There will probably be a local housing charity in your area ( shelter may be able to point one out )or failing that a local housing solicitor who could take up the issue via legal aid.

Some councils also have assisted bond schemes where they provide bond monies (remains their money until repaid) to assist people in to private rent. If the property is a 1 bedroomed then he would still probably pay no rent.

Housing and council tax benefits are available ( subject to means) to those working or not working, employed or self employed, council or private rent.

Good luck

DD

maxmycardagain

being harsh (this is the new me) it looks like hes only 1 step from sleeping in doorways/etc.

BR would only solve his current debt situation, but hes got to make the effort to push himself for a paying job. can ge drive? - driver. hes skilled - maintanence/caretaker, handyman, etc.

back_on_track

Thanks for the replies.

Holcher, thanks I will certainly ask CAB about all the organisations that may help.
I will defo go to the council with him if i need to also.

Debt doctor, hes not claiming JSA or anything right now. Will he be able to start claiming though without an address to give them?

Maxmycardagain, he is his own worst enemy, thats for sure. He can drive yes. Im sure he could get work doing something, but right now hes so down he has no motivation, but im trying to help him with that, and sugest what his options are. Im trying to find out as much as i can for him.

debt_doctor

Hi,
People 'without accomodation' are entitled to the normal amount of JSA/ Income support as anyone else ( cpag welfare benefits hanbook chapter 28 ) It may be easier if he could use someone's address as a c/o address. Ask your CAB or your councils welfare rights dept if there is any help available via a support worker. It may be that he is not well enough to actively seek work ( JSA test) at the moment and needs a doctors certificate instead to claim income support. This may well help his 'vulnerability' status for council accomodation.

DD

jude47

Hi

Cracking advice from everyone else here, especially Debt Doctor! I totally agree your ex MUST get a place to live. As well as everything above, try Shelter, they're brilliant. I also agree that your ex sounds vulnerable. From what you've said, he's been (and perhaps still is) suffering from clinical depression. His GP really can help with this, if your ex can bear to explain the problem. Maybe you or a friend could go with him?
Sounds to me like BR is definitely the way to go, but it seems you might be thinking that to declare BR you have to have assets? This isn't the case, in fact if you DO have assets, BR sometimes isn't the best way to go. As far as the BR fee is concerned, there are trust finds and benevolent funds your ex could apply to, and he's get a reduction of, I think, £150 as he's unemployed. My ex worked self employed in construction and I know how hard it is not having a guaranteed income, so would your ex consider maybe retraining? He's bound to be bright enough (whether he believes it or not) - anyone who can calculate tolerances on a load-bearing wall in his head, or the water pressure a particular pipe can take etc is definitely no thickie!
Keep posting and good luck to both of you - you're clearly a lovely person!

Jude x

startagain_2

jude47 wrote: »

Hi

Cracking advice from everyone else here, especially Debt Doctor! I totally agree your ex MUST get a place to live. As well as everything above, try Shelter, they're brilliant. I also agree that your ex sounds vulnerable. From what you've said, he's been (and perhaps still is) suffering from clinical depression. His GP really can help with this, if your ex can bear to explain the problem. Maybe you or a friend could go with him?
Sounds to me like BR is definitely the way to go, but it seems you might be thinking that to declare BR you have to have assets? This isn't the case, in fact if you DO have assets, BR sometimes isn't the best way to go. As far as the BR fee is concerned, there are trust finds and benevolent funds your ex could apply to, and he's get a reduction of, I think, £150 as he's unemployed. My ex worked self employed in construction and I know how hard it is not having a guaranteed income, so would your ex consider maybe retraining? He's bound to be bright enough (whether he believes it or not) - anyone who can calculate tolerances on a load-bearing wall in his head, or the water pressure a particular pipe can take etc is definitely no thickie!
Keep posting and good luck to both of you - you're clearly a lovely person!

Jude x

Butting in here but I just have to say ...... "What a great post!"

:T

SA

maxmycardagain

im sure "no fixed abodes" can collect benefits in person from DSS offices

jude47

Aw shucks, t'warnt nothin! Thanks SA for the kind comments, I really appreciate it. I hope Back's ex sees this thread and knows that we're all with him all the way. I know some of us post from a professional standpoint, like Debt Doctor, from tons of experience like Maxmycardagain and just from being a caring person like Startagain. For me, sometimes a post just touches me and I want to help - and this is definitely one of those times.
Please let us know how it's going, Back - we're only too happy to help if we can.
A happy new year to everyone here, I wish you peace, health and happiness.

Jude x