First time SOA - Please be gentle. Am so worried.

SimIsOnTheUp

Thanks Lexxi, PeteBeale, an KosmicPink225, for all your support, and good wishes!

I will reply to each of you individually tomorrow, when I'm more awake..

Have been awake now, since about 5pm yesterday - Thursday, so I've been up nearly 27 hours :-/

My body clock was all out, so have been trying to put it right.

Shattered though!

See you all tomorrow.

Have a relaxing weekend.

Thanks again,

Sim x

SimIsOnTheUp

Thank PeteBates26 even!

Wasn't 'Pete Beale' in Eastenders, many moons back?!

Told you I was shattered..

G'night,

Sim x

zarazara

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

Hiya guys and gals,

I'm a 36 year old single bloke, living in a Housing Association flat.

I am currently not working, due to having been ill with depression, anxiety, and alcohol issues, all of which I am now getting help for, starting next week.

So, my sole income is ESA / Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit.

Am looking at starting Voluntary work, for a local homeless charity, starting next Tuesday

I've been up all night, going through all my paperwork, filing everything, and filling out my SOA on paper, ready for my CAB appointment, with a 'Money Advice Trust' advisor on May 12th.

Feel shattered, and overwhelmed by the enormity of this, but am determined to tackle this head on.

Am seriously considering a DRO, in order to make a fresh start, as I can't see how to make headway with all of this debt - 99% of the debt has been accrued through my alcoholism and mental health issues. Really want to concentrate, on getting fit and well again, so I can get back to work.

Have discussed going into rehab for 3 / 6 months, with my Substance Misuse Worker, so I need to make a decision, as to what to do, by the time I see the CAB in 10 days time.

I would very much appreciate some advice, as to what I should do next regarding this debt.

Many Thanks,

Kind Regards,

Sim x ...

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 0

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 590.32
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 590.32

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 297.96
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 55.16 ---ring the council about this, you may be entitled to a reduction
Electricity............................. 61.2
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 26.8
Telephone (land line)................... 6
Mobile phone............................ 45---high ,can you go PAYG and use it as little as possible?
TV Licence.............................. 23.75
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 5.99
Groceries etc. ......................... 171.5
Clothing................................ 10
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 5
Haircuts................................ 8
Entertainment........................... 10
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 5
Total monthly expenses.................. 731.36


Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Rent Arrears...................24........0.........0
Council Tax Arrears............459.31....0.........0
Electric - NPower..............719.......0.........0
Student Loans Company..........14000.....0.........0
Ex - Girlfriend................1458......0.........0
O2 (DCA).......................1055.27...0.........0
O2 (DCA).......................588.23....0.........0
O2 (DCA).......................480.28....0.........0
Next Directory (DCA)...........108.59....0.........0
Empire Stores (DCA)............532.05....0.........0
Littlewoods a/c (DCA)..........536.35....0.........0
Vanquis Visa CC (DCA)..........357.89....0.........0
Capital One Visa(DCA)..........688.33....0.........0
TV License Arrears.............71.25.....0.........0
DWP Crisis Loans...............710.82....0.........0
Housing Bft O/Payment..........2370......0.........0
Severn Trent Water.............180.......0.........0
Total unsecured debts..........24347.37..0.........-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 590.32
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 731.36
Available for debt repayments........... -141.04
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount short for making debt repayments. -141.04

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -24,347.37
Net Assets.............................. -24,347.37

Created using the SOA calculator at https://www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.

Hello and Welcome to the board. Its a brave first step,and now you;ve taken it we can all offer advise and help.
Have you checked that you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to? https://www.entitledto.com .

Is there any chance of getting someone to share your flat with you and make a contribution to the living expenses/utility bills?

azkaban420

Hi Sim,

Just wanted to say welcome, and well done for facing up to your debts and challenges in your life. This is the right place to be for brilliant support and advice - good luck in your ventures and hope to hear about you and your journey along the way

Az

SimIsOnTheUp

zarazara wrote: »

Hello and Welcome to the board. Its a brave first step,and now you;ve taken it we can all offer advise and help.
Have you checked that you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to? https://www.entitledto.com .

Is there any chance of getting someone to share your flat with you and make a contribution to the living expenses/utility bills?

Hiya zarazara,

Thanks for your post, and for the link.

I've checked, and it turns out, that I am already in receipt of all the DWP benefits, which I'm entitled to.

Re having a lodger, while I realise it would bring some much needed money in, I really don't think I could give my privacy up!

Aside from that, my spare room, which would be their bedroom, is not even 'finished' ie - no carpets / just stone floor at the moment..

Thanks for prompting me to think about it though, as I realise that up to a certain point, it's tax free isn't it? Don't know how it would affect my ESA / HB / CTB though, as haven't looked into it.

I would have to give this one *a lot* of thought though!

Cheers,

Sim x

SimIsOnTheUp

azkaban420 wrote: »

Hi Sim,

Just wanted to say welcome, and well done for facing up to your debts and challenges in your life. This is the right place to be for brilliant support and advice - good luck in your ventures and hope to hear about you and your journey along the way

Az

Hiya Az,

Thanks for the friendly welcome!

Have a great weekend.

Am in dire need, of scrambled eggs on toast and coffee, this morning :-)

Cheers,

Sim x

SimIsOnTheUp

Hiya tedsd,

Thanks!

Enjoy a sunny weekend :-)

Sim x

HappyMJ

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

Re having a lodger, while I realise it would bring some much needed money in, I really don't think I could give my privacy up!

Aside from that, my spare room, which would be their bedroom, is not even 'finished' ie - no carpets / just stone floor at the moment..

Thanks for prompting me to think about it though, as I realise that up to a certain point, it's tax free isn't it? Don't know how it would affect my ESA / HB / CTB though, as haven't looked into it.

I would have to give this one *a lot* of thought though!

Cheers,

Sim x

I wouldn't bother they'll let you keep £20 then reduce your benefits pound for pound. The extra costs of having someone using the gas/elec/water/groceries will be £20 so it isn't worth it.

SimIsOnTheUp

Thanks for the info HappyMJ.

That's great to know!

HappyMJ

Severn Trent have a trust fund you can access. Whatever you pay towards the water bill they will match and either pay it to the water arrears or help you towards other bills.

http://www.sttf.org.uk/