Number of people earning in the household

BEN0601

I have been so stupid and ostrich like, that I am now in a desperate situation. It is a situation of my own making and well deserved.

I live with my boyfriend (who is wonderful) and because I left my job in 2007 I have been trying and subsequently failed to run a small business and find a permanent job (also failed). I now have debts total a 5 figure sum and I don't have any security.

I have managed, with my boyfriend's help to pay the minimum repayment on all of my credit cards, but now because he has been looking after me, he cannot help me any more. This is because he is having to use his credit cards more and more.

I am employed by the NHS, but only on a booking by booking basis (NHS Professionals is more like a temporary employment agency where they fill in the gaps when people are off), so I can work for 5 weeks and not work for several weeks.

My query is that when I approach the credit card companies to ask them to accept smaller repayments, they are bound to ask what the total monthly income in our household is. My other half, doesn't want to disclose this. He says that by paying most of the bills and assisting me where he can, he doesn't see why he should tell third parties how much he earns and how much he pays out.

With this attitude, will the credit card companies be less inclined to want to help me? If he can confirm to guarantee to give me a fixed amount each month to help towards my bills, will this satisfy them?

RAS

A debt managment plan is based on your incoem not OH's, unless any of the debts are joint.

You really should add your debt to him as well, so you can demonstrate that you are paying all creditors fairly.

Do speak to a debt charity - CCCS, NDL or CAB.

Have you checked the possiblities of working in a nursing home, as HB had a fair number of those when I was last there? A regular low income might be better then an irregular slightly higher pay per hour income.

HOW is HB by the way?