Hello...newbie alert

roughyed

Hello,

First time I have posted on here! Looking for any advice and tips as I am in trouble and don't know what to do!! Any tips or pointers in the right direction are appreciated!

Background - Basically I haven't worked since march due to depression, but haven't claimed any benefits until a few weeks ago (thought i could survive on savings and get back to work quickly). No reply yet on what benefits I will get. I basically am surviving off a few handouts from family and friends to buy food.

A nice woman from Depitas rang this morning, she explained that I needed to pay £100 and odd to reverse a notice of default being served by capital one. I explained I couldn't pay, she kindly reduced it to £92 to reverse the default and offered a repayment plan. I haven't got £10 at the moment! Plus as I don't know yet what benefits I will get, so I can't agree to any repayments.

She said that the default will stop me getting any credit (morgages, mobile phone) for the next 6 yrs, so I obviously want to avoid it? I owe £1300 of which £300 is the outstanding payments.

Any advice?

(I have other debts!! But this is the one thats currently knockin!!)

rarele

Hi roughyed :hello:

I'm fairly new to all this myself but the first piece of advice you will get is to post your SOA (info at top of page) - once you've done that you'll get some really good ideas and tips on how to manage your situation.

People here are incredibly supportive - good luck!
R

piratess

I just wanted come and welcome you ! well done for posting there are some wonderful people who im sure can offer some fantastic advice! as Rarele says maybe post your SOA as things stand at the moment and then when your benefits are sorted you can adjust things ....

Love to have you onboard xxx K

Annie_Fanny

Welcome to MSE!

How about posting a Statement of Affairs (SOA) here? Do include ALL debts with APRs etc...

Have a look at this post for details on posting an SOA:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....html?t=107280

Is there any prospect of a job on the horizon?

Good luck!

Annie
Xx

lynzpower

i know youve probably considered this, but have you got anytihng that you can sell? Any old mobile phones kicking about? books/cds/ clothes try ebay or amazon, its not instant, but its cash that can dribble in

roughyed

Roughly-

Income - Monthly
£100 borowed off family

Outgoings - Monthly
Food - £100

Rent - owe 3 months + (£1000 ish) Supportive landlord but am trying his patience.
Council - owe £1000

Now those 2 should be covered by benefits.

Gas - Owe £500
Elec - Owe £200
Water - Owe £400
TV - paid till april
Car - £0 - no car
Sky - £15 (owe flatmate)

CapitalOne - £1300 limit of £1000. APR 24%
Monument - £3575 limit of £3300. ARR 18% (miniumum payment of £644)
Overdraft - £750 limit of £500 (£150 + of charges)

Thats about it! I am not in massive amounts of debt compared to some, but when you can't pay...its all big!

tyllwyd

Thanks for the SOA. To be honest, it is missing the most important bit, which is your income (apart from the money your family is lending you, of course).

But even when your benefits come through, is that going to be enough to cover your arrears and your other debts? Unless you are going to be well enough to go back to work very soon, I think you need to think about talking to one of the charities that help with debt advice.

Annie_Fanny

Yes is a return to work on the cards?

Paige

Welcome to the board. Are you getting help with your depression, from your GP and from a support group ? x

Storm

roughyed wrote:

She said that the default will stop me getting any credit (morgages, mobile phone) for the next 6 yrs, so I obviously want to avoid it? I owe £1300 of which £300 is the outstanding payments.QUOTE]

This is her scare tactics, no matter how 'nice' she appeared to be on the phone! Yes, a default will show on your credit report for 6 years, and so any new creditors you approach will see it, but it won't automatically stop anyone giving you credit, especially once it is settled.

You mentioned that you're in arrears with your landlord, council tax etc - is the money going to be coming in soon to clear these off? If you're due benefits it may be worth talking to your housing office about an emergency payment so you can at least keep a roof over your head. These debts to me seem to be the most important, not your creditors.

Is it possible to move in with a family member for a while & just pay towards your board? I'm assuming you're not working at the moment as you didn't list an income, so can you do mystery shopping/online questionnaires etc to get even a small amount coming in?

Storm x

roughyed

Thanks all.

Work is iffy at the minute, as I'm signed off from the doctors. Plus I don't really want to go back to work then call in sick after a month (I did that at the start of the year, 3 months in job before going sick) My CV will be screwed by the 'gap' anyway.

GP has been ok...

Hopefully (if my claim is accepted) my benefits should have an element of back dating. With the debts, is there any way to avoid the default without paying £92?

Living down south so no familiy within 200 miles, but this is where the work is (when I go back) and where my friends are.