Help!? Debt, CT, Bailiffs, Panic

guineverestar

Hi,
I have had a letter through my door today saying that it has been hand delivered:

"I have attended today with the intention of removing your goods and chattels as are necessary to discharge the outstanding Council Tax Liability Order and and additional Enforcement Costs incurred.
PLEASE NOTE - No further arrange,ents are acceptable and pay,emt is now required in full by CLEAR FUNDS ONLY.
I will re-attend at your address with immediate effect and REMOVE goods even in your absence. Should you wish to avoid this distressing course of action, contact me immediately on the telephone number below to arrange prompt payment of your debt.
No Contact Will Be Taken As Your Refusal To Pay"

I'm in a fair bit of other debt too, and keep just ignoring calls.
I'm currently signed off work sick - with mental health issues - and this is making me panic. I have no money, I can't work, and I don't know what to do.
I came up with a basic payment stuff with other companies a while ago, but since I've not been working, there's been no money to pay them anything. I know there's lots of other posts about this, and I'm really sorry to re-iterate them, I just don't know what to do, and it's all making me feela lot worse.
I know it's stupid to let it get this far, I shoudl be contacting people, but I'm really struggling to even get out of bed most days, never mind deal with these terrifying things.
Any help woudl be so appreciated, I just need to know what to do, step by step, bit by bit.
Please help?

earplugs

if you haven't let them into your property, then they cannot break in. the only way they can get in is if you let them in, so whatever you do, don't answer the door to them - also make sure that all doors and windows are closed so they can't get in that way. if you have a car out of the front of the property, move it so that they can't work out whether it is yours or not.

id go to a citizens advice bureau and they will help you to work out a payment plan for you and will help you claim any benefits you may be entitled to.

good luck.

Merlinexcalibur

I'm currently signed off work sick - with mental health issues - and this is making me panic. I have no money, I can't work, and I don't know what to do.

What sort of help do you get with that?

I came up with a basic payment stuff with other companies a while ago, but since I've not been working, there's been no money to pay them anything.

I'd do what earplugs has suggested in that direction. And immediately - I mean tomorrow not next week, next month etc - contact someone like the Consumer Credit Counselling Services by using their freephone number.

"I have attended today with the intention of removing your goods and chattels as are necessary to discharge the outstanding Council Tax Liability Order and and additional Enforcement Costs incurred.
PLEASE NOTE - No further arrange,ents are acceptable and pay,emt is now required in full by CLEAR FUNDS ONLY.
I will re-attend at your address with immediate effect and REMOVE goods even in your absence. Should you wish to avoid this distressing course of action, contact me immediately on the telephone number below to arrange prompt payment of your debt.
No Contact Will Be Taken As Your Refusal To Pay"

As for that. One assumes you've had a court order or CCJ in place for this to occur?

guineverestar

Merlinexcalibur wrote: »

What sort of help do you get with that?



I'd do what earplugs has suggested in that direction. And immediately - I mean tomorrow not next week, next month etc - contact someone like the Consumer Credit Counselling Services by using their freephone number.



As for that. One assumes you've had a court order or CCJ in place for this to occur?

I see a psychiatrist and am waiting for an appointment with a cpn, i see my GP once or twice a week. i recieve employment and support allowance, but have only just recieved the first payment of that - and am still going through the assesment stuff, and filling in forms for housing benefit etc. I'm relying on a friend for money for things like food at the moment, which is not good.

I contacted the CCCS a few months ago, when i set up the previous payements, but because i didn't have any money to spare, they couldnt do a plan for me...ill try them again i guess, or the CAB?

I've not recieved anything about a court order or CCJ, so I'm not sure what they mean/that I understand?

Merlinexcalibur

Okay, a guick glance through your older posts says you are 'bipolar?' And that you've had trouble with the JobCentre in that direction? I would now suggest contacting your council's Welfare Rights Officer who potentially could help with all this.

I know it's not much but being on the other end of an internet connection this is all anyone can really do eg suggest things.

and I don't know what to do.

The doing has to come from yourself. Not harsh, but only you can make any of the above happen.

Re CCCS? They normally do offer to compile template letters, offers of token payments, whether or not you qualify for a DMP. I would try CCCS again, as I am surprised they never did that for you.

've not recieved anything about a court order or CCJ, so I'm not sure what they mean/that I understand?

Well, in that case are you absolutely sure they ARE certified bailifs? Just saying that as you say you've had no CCJ?

Now you've mentioned the support angle. I cannot be certain but I am almost sure your mental health team could write you a letter on your behalf to these people stating your condition, the stress you are under, how it is affecting you and ... maybe get them to back off a little. I don't know if that will happen, there are no guarantees with any of this. But I am trying to throw you a life line.

You should get the housing benefit, but you'd have to wait and see of course. But it would be unusual in your situation to be refused. If you do, take it further.

PS I was posting away on all that then you replied, so excuse where I seem to diverge slightly from the opening paragraph towards the end.

guineverestar

earplugs wrote: »

if you haven't let them into your property, then they cannot break in. the only way they can get in is if you let them in, so whatever you do, don't answer the door to them - also make sure that all doors and windows are closed so they can't get in that way. if you have a car out of the front of the property, move it so that they can't work out whether it is yours or not.

id go to a citizens advice bureau and they will help you to work out a payment plan for you and will help you claim any benefits you may be entitled to.

good luck.

Thankyou. I live in a flat in a converted house, so when the bell rings, I don't know it is till I open the door. Can they force their way in? I have a shared front door, a little hall and then the two flats, so If I keep my door closed maybe?
It's all scary, but I'll give my local cab office a call tomorrow i guess.

Merlinexcalibur

Thankyou. I live in a flat in a converted house, so when the bell rings, I don't know it is till I open the door. Can they force their way in? I have a shared front door, a little hall and then the two flats, so If I keep my door closed maybe?

Do you mean a communal door bell eg for different flats or just the one on the front door? If you can see who it is for example you do not have to open the door. As, from what you said, there appears to be no CCJ? You need to be certain of that. Because if they don't and you haven't then like I said are they actually bailifs and not connected with one of your other debts?

Also, there may possibly be debt help available through your council. You would need to possibly ask your support workers about this as they should know. I am surprised they have NOT mentioned this to you before if you have told them about things in that direction?

Like I said, we can only make suggestions, we cannot do these things for you. So, I am not being harsh, but you need to take control of this and now.

And, yes, I do know how terrifying all of this is do not think I don't.

Merlinexcalibur

Right, although you said no to the CCJ, I have now re-read your first post and the stuff it said on the letter ...

I can be of no further assistance. Except to suggest things earplugs has done. You have a choice: to take control of this situation or let it get worse. Can't really say anything else TBH.

And thank you for letting me ramble on like this when you'd not replied. I am just attempting to help you for example. Nice to be appreciated. The rest is up to you.

scaredy_cat

send a pm to Herbie21 with all the details. or call the helpline on her website www.bailiffadviceonline.co.uk

Merlinexcalibur

Was going to mention that but had no replies so ... and couldn't remember the username properly.

But if you are still reading this as I suspect you are DO tell your support team if you have not. They can't really help you unless you do. And you cannot be selective, either, with help. Not in your situation.

RAS

Merlin

This is about the 6th time today I have come to a thread by a newbie to discover judgmental posts by you containing unhelpful and inaccurate advice.

yesterday you upset an OP with your false allegations to the extent that you had to clean up your posts when she objected.

Please will you stop posting on newbie threads, particularly when you do not know the topic.