can anyone help me? DH has lost his job

jellybean87_2

DH's business has had to close. So he is now unemployed but looking for work.

I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can and doing it right!

Dh has rung up to sign on for JSA and has a meeting at the local job centre on monday aswell. (I don't get why he has to do both?)

We have had one meeting at the Citizens Advice and have to wait until the 30th march until we can go and see the right person to discuss what to do (the person we saw was jsut to check we had the right benefits).

I am in the process of ringing up all our creditors and mortgage provider to say we have no money and will pay them £1 this month until we have our meeting with CAB and can put something formal into place, Will be paying £100 on the mortgage instead of £598, they said they will accept that this month, but I have been sent an expenditure form so we can sort something more official.

We have tried to lower our tarrifs on mobiles as we currently pay £75 p/m they wont let us, so I will be ringing to say we can't pay. I know we will be cut off, but what else can they do?

will be canceling net, depending on charge for leaving contract.

Dh is going to try and get the finance company to take the van back as he needed it for work but, obviously, doesn't now.

DH's grandparents have offered us £500 so we can pay off washing machine so at least that won't be taken. can we pay it off, even though we are only paying £1.00 on all other finances? or will it cause problems?


We are hoping we are eligible for the goverment scheme where they pay the interest part of our mortgage for 2 years, which is nearly all of it, but I have a feeling our council aren't doing it. Though that may be something else. Its all quite confusing! if we can get this we will hopefully manage to keep our house.

I have spoken to debtline, but find it hard over the phone, I need to see someone in person.

I am so scared, and as we can't see anyone properly until the end of march, I can't even start dealing with it, as I just don't know what i'm dealing with.

anything else I need to do? Or any other advice?

GeorgeUK

Hi JB

Have you posted up a statement of affairs so you can see what your expenditure is?
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Do any of your cards or loans have payment protection insurance? If so, they should either start paying out or you may want to see if they were missold and claim back what has been paid.

For the van, your husband may be able to do a voluntary termination if this was on HP. This way you would only be liable for 50% of the total cost.

Have you been able to get advice of what benefits you should be eligible for?
Not too sure who you should contact for that - i would have thought citizens advice but also look at http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Your creditors will want to see a statement of affairs showing your income, expenditure and debts. CCCS or another free debt charity will be able to advise what is a fair budget - you shouldn't cut back too much even though it may be tempting to do so. If that means all your creditors only get £1 then so be it. Don't forget that prices and bills can increase.

If your creditors don't know about the washing machine then that is okay. It is best to pay them an equal amount (same %) of what you have available, but this is a gift that you are receiving. You are not receiving money, your grandparents are buying you the rest of a washing machine. I wouldn't worry about this.

Hope things get better soon.

RAS

Definately look at whether you have any PPi, whether OH can get any compensation for his job loss. Apply for council tax benefits.

and look at what you can sensibly sell that is around but not used.

OH needs to demonstrate that he is looking for work, so over the weekend encourage him to "apply" for several jobs.

mum2one

The reason he has to go to the job centre, is to look at his options for work his skills, and to arrange a sign on date.

Sorry to ask r u working, if your not then dh can claim for you, the mortgage agreement usually cuts in at 13 weeks,

Look at ppi of you have that, also put up an SOA, (your incomings / outogings), even if u wait to you get the figures from the job centre, give u an idea what to work on.

Keep ur chin up xx

mdhughes03

I can only comment on the jobseeker's allowance aspect here. Your DH has to go for the interview because a financial assessor will have to check his ID and proof of mortgage etc and a Personal Adviser will conduct a work-focused interview with him. Basically, because the jobcentre need to know what type of work he is looking for and agree what steps he will take to look for that work whilst the benefit is being paid to him.

Once his claim has been processed he will recieve a letter stating what type and amount of jobseeker's allowance he is entitled to. This can often open doors to other types of benefits.

He may be eligible to claim council tax and housing benefit-he should ask the financial assessor about this during his appointment.

HTH

Fire_Fox

jellybean87 wrote: »

I am so scared, and as we can't see anyone properly until the end of march, I can't even start dealing with it, as I just don't know what i'm dealing with.

anything else I need to do? Or any other advice?

You have done absolutely brilliantly already! :T Don't panic, you are completely in the right place with this board.

The JSA claim usually starts from the first date of contact (phone call) but to actually set up payments they will need to see all his documents to ensure it is a genuine claim, and discuss what types of jobs he will apply for etc.

Why don't you paste up a Statement of Affairs as soon as you know what your benefits will be? Put in all the debts as normal including the interest rates, even if you aren't actually making full payments at present. Then the clever people on here will help you see any little things you might have missed.
:money:

Locke

jellybean87 wrote: »

Dh has rung up to sign on for JSA and has a meeting at the local job centre on monday aswell. (I don't get why he has to do both?)

I think they just like making life hard for people.

jellybean87_2

I think I may have ppi on one card, I will ring up and check. I work 16rs a weeks and I am looking fro more hours, but no luck. I will do a SOA when I feel up to it!

RAS

Check whether you can claim working tax credits?

angelaf_3

Have you a cap caentre near you (Christians against poverty) near you? You can find out through their website and they also do telephone counselling. They are nonjudgemental and free. http://www.capuk.org/home/index.php.

Good luck and keep posting

mum2one

The fact that you are working 16 hours a week, shouldnt affect hubbies jsa, as thats ni contribution based.
They may look at tax credits when hubbie goes in for the interview.
You've made the 1st big step, 99% of people on here are lovely, helpful and even sometimes knowledgeable (only joking).
I've had a lot fo support from people on her for different matters, including financial and for the 1st time in a long time I finally pulled my head out of the sand and realised that if I dont take control Im going to be going round in circles.
Def agree with the SOA, it took me a few posts on my own thread b4 I put the SOA up, I felt an idiot, but everyone was so supportive.
Groceries, and cooking ideas - pop over to the old style board
presents etc - thrifty 2009 challenge, were aiming to be money neutral, but if theres bargains to be found we all help out each other.
Plz dont worry, it will come together in time. xx