Over worked, debt on the increase,HELP!

isolated_debtor

Around 18 months ago, I rang my bank to ask them to cancel my D.D's as there was insufficient funds to cover them. To my horror, only 1 was cancelled and the seeds of my debt were sown. Realising that I needed help, I rang C.C.C.S to enlist their help. My debt at the onset was £14,039. Today it is £16,189. Within this time I have had bank charges to the tune of £1500. My payments to cccs per month is £148.00. My pay fluctuates each week depending on the overtime that I do which means that my take home is between £230-£330p/w. I've got arrears on my mortgage, gas, electric and water. Ive tried to write to the banks concerning bank charges citing the hardship clause,but, to no avail. The increase in debt is due to late payment charges, interest etc, etc. Is it worth writing to my creditors asking for a refund. But to be perfectly honest, I've no fight left in me. Haven't had any holiday from work(in 12 months) as bringing home a basic wage would cripple me even for 1 week. I do have a partner that helps me the best he can but he too is taking out loans, credit cards in order to help. What are my options?

GeorgeUK

Have you had a reappraisal of your statement of affairs (SOA) with CCCS?
Were the payments based on your basic wage or with overtime included?
You may be able to get CCCS to agree that a reduction in payments is warranted and they'll pass this on to your creditors.

Don't know too much about the hardship clauses so can't really help on that one. You may get more help on the charges board or possibly the consumeractiongroup forum.

I would also suggest you post in the Debt free wannabe section rather than the diaries for queries like this - you'll get a better response i think.

For now i suggest you post up a SOA, possibly also get your other half to post up one too or do a joint one - taking out debt to pay for debt is not the answer and he needs to stop asap. We need to get you to a level where you can pay the bills and whatever is left over pay towards your creditors without getting yourself into more trouble because you can't afford it.

This is a handy tool for seeing where your money is going and how much you should have available to pay to CCCS.
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html
Just format for MSE and post it up on the DFW board. We'll tell you if there are any savings to be made and if what you are paying through CCCS is still realistic.

GeorgeUK

Also, probably worth requesting CCCS look into the hardship status of your claim.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges-hardship#hardship