what help should they provide?

fork_2

My husband has lost his job due to the company going into administration!
Suddenly we have no money coming in with 2 kids. We rang the credit card companies we are with to inform them of our situation. We more than likely won't be able to met the minimumn payments, asked if they could perhaps lower it for even two months so that we could still pay them something and not incur any huge charges. We were not helped at all, and told they would not do anything, even if it meant they would not get any money from us.
PLEASE could you tell me, is this right? Do they have to offer help? What do we do? We have a motgage and lots of bills coming in, we have appiled for benefits but it's taking ages to find out if we'll get anything and even then it won't cover the bills till one of us finds a job.

CLAPTON

best to post over on the debt free wanabee board

but

write to the CC companies explaining the situation
say you can only pay a token sum ..£1 and enclose a cheque
say you are looking for a new job and are hopefull that you will find one soon
however, you ask them to accept £1 and freeze interest and charges for six months or until you find a new job.

cancel direct debits to any unsecured creditor

if you bank with a company you owe money to then open a new account today and make sure any money you receive goes into there... similarly if you have savings with a company you owe money to withdraw it today too.


you can expect to be harassed by telepohone calls....DONOT have any discussions on the phone but ask them to deal with you in writing only. DONOT be tricked into paying anything on the phone.

Sign on for JSA immediately.

anotherpaul_2

CLAPTON wrote: »

cancel direct debits to any unsecured creditor

Ideally, don't forget to tell the creditors that you have cancelled them, so they don't try to use them and charge you when they fail.

Also, remember that your mortgage should take priority over pretty much every other debt (especially the credit card).

fork_2

Thank you so much for the info, this will really help.