Urgent help..think Ive done the wrong thing here.

grumbleweed2

I have written before regarding large debts owed by my daughter and partner, and just when things are going OK, something happens and its one step froward and seems like 2 back!

Daughter lived with us for while during which time we got bailiff visits, even though they don't actually own anything (sold it all to pay debts).

They moved out, organized a repayment plan with support, but then had difficulties with their benefits. They had them stopped because they didn't attend an additional appointment when they didn't even receive the letter (during all that bad weather before Christmas). This has left them without any money apart from child benefit. Which also has meant they have at times been unable to make their payments off their debts as agreed.

Long story short, Ive had the bailiffs here again today, I'm here alone and now sitting here in floods of tears, as I think Ive said too much even after all the advice Ive read here.
I had said they don't live here any more and haven't done for some time, I did give him my name and phone number, now thinking that was stupid! he left me with a letter for them but I haven't signed anything. I didn't give him my daughters details and said they are dealing with a debt agency and they would have to take it up with them.

Now Im worried I'm going to have other problems..will they visit again and demand I tell them where my daughter is (not that it would take long fr them to find out)...will they leave me along..

I am just at my wits end with it all. They are trying to pay back what they can, and now have been advised that the DRO is the best solution for them...but it still takes time, time to look at their budget, time to organize the right help, etc, it doesn't happen now now.

Help, what do I need to do to protect myself first and foremost.

I cant pay their debts for them, I don't have that sort of money.

RAS

Whoa there. You are not required to let the bailiffs in or even to talk to them.

Just tell them your DD no longer lives there and that is all that is required.

RAS

grumbleweed2 wrote: »

They moved out, organized a repayment plan with support, but then had difficulties with their benefits. They had them stopped because they didn't attend an additional appointment when they didn't even receive the letter (during all that bad weather before Christmas). This has left them without any money apart from child benefit. Which also has meant they have at times been unable to make their payments off their debts as agreed.

Now on the benefits front.

has your daughter appealed the sanction (means no benefits). If so, she will get hardship payments until the sanction is overturned.

if not, she needs to do this urgently.

She should also get CTB and LHA if she is entitled to them.

CommitedToChange

I didn't want to read and run so *hugs* - its a horrible situation to be in. I believe the advice for bailiffs is to never open the door to them - and keep all your windows shut. They have no legal right to gain access to your home, especially as the debts are not in your name. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with some correct advice. They can demand all they want - YOU do not have to do or tell them anything. If they do call you tell them to remove your number from their records as you have no connection with the debts and will put in a formal complaint if they continue to call you.

GeorgeUK

Don't panic. Slow down, make yourself some tea and sit down.

The debt is not yours. The bailiff cannot come into your house to pursue a debt of someone that doesn't live there. You have told them that they don't live there so that message will get passed on. They can't just come into your house and take your things - don't worry.

Your daughter seems to be dealing with the debts - you should probably tell her about the bailiff visit. I don't think a CCJ will have an impact on the DRO, but she might want to check if she is not aware of this debt or what a CCJ may mean for the process.

grumbleweed2

Ok re benefits, what are CTB and LHA please. Their family support worker has written a letter of complaint exapling they have a young baby and daughter had mental health problems, and this hasn't speed-ed things up. They are on emergency food parcels plus us to keep them going. When they queried the taking away payments they said 'you cant do this' and the office responded 'its taxpayers money we can do what we like' And when they asked what were they supposed to live on they were told 'not our problem'. Today they went again to see if their claim had been processed and were 10 minutus late due to the trasin being late (they have to travel to the next town to sign on, baring in mind they have no money to make this trip so guess who's paying for that)..again they were told if they were 10 mins late again they would stop their claim. I dont know how benefits offices work but dont they have any kind of code of conduct?

Re the bailiffs, I wasnt expecting them so actually thought they had come to read the meter so did answer the door. Last time we had 'warning' letters, nothing this time. Ive shut the doors and windows and am trying to pen a letter to them and the organization they owe the money to. Will that do the trick, Im sat here shaking that they will be back

RAS

grumbleweed2 wrote: »

When they queried the taking away payments they said 'you cant do this' and the office responded 'its taxpayers money we can do what we like' And when they asked what were they supposed to live on they were told 'not our problem'.

That is pretty typical of the sort of response others have reported.

I assume this was some sort of JSA appointment?

If someone do not turn up to an appointment, then the sanction can be anything up to 6 months.

LHA - local housing allowance - rent
ctb - Council Tax benefit

grumbleweed2

Yes, so the sanction can be 6 months but isnt there any mechanism for when letters don't arrive.. it was all that lousy weather and mail getting held up left right and centre. It was an additional to the normal one which they knew nothing of.. so it really is just hard cheese then?

They do get hosing and council tax benefit but these will also be suspended because of the claim.. so they could be back to being homeless again then? I honestly don't know what else they could have done, and in the meantime they cant pay their debts, because as it stands now they get £20 a week child benefit to live on.

RAS

grumbleweed2 wrote: »

. so it really is just hard cheese then?

NO. Please read what I wrote.

HAve they appealed? If they do that they get hardship payments from the date of appeal - those are 60 percent of the JSA amount.

Evern if they do not win the appeal they can apply for hardship payments. Has no one told them to do this?

grumbleweed2 wrote: »

. They do get hosing and council tax benefit but these will also be suspended because of the claim.

NO.

Even if they are sanctioned, they still get council tax benefit and housing costs paid.

grumbleweed2 wrote: »

so they could be back to being homeless again then?

No becasue their housing costs are paid (assumi9ng they do not exceed the LHA.

grumbleweed2 wrote: »

. I honestly don't know what else they could have done, and in the meantime they cant pay their debts, because as it stands now they get £20 a week child benefit to live on.

They should be getting 60 percent of the couple rate for JSA plus the CB.

Hard I know but if you can get them over to the Old Style Forum, people will help them do it.

Do they know about food banks? Is there one near them? Do they use freecycle and freegle?

And stop worrying about the bailiffs, even if they get in, there is nothing they can take.

grumbleweed2

Now that Ive calmed down a bit, I hope rational thought can take over.

Thanks for advice given. They have been told by the housing that their housing claim has stopped because of the stop in benefit, and they have to make effectively a new claim. They have aslo been told that they cannot claim for hardship grant or whatever because the claim hasnt been re processed (doesn't make sense to me I'm afraid). Noone has advised re appealing but even this takes time, how would they go about this at this point?

They (we) use freecycle and they are getting food boxes from the Children's centre..this is keeping them going in basics..Ive had to buy them nappies.

If anyone has time, please point me towards where I can get further support for this.. I use a screen reader and have difficulty navigating.

I have written to the bailiffs telling them that they do not live here and to leave us alone.

dancingfairy

I would be tempted to get them to speak to their local councillor - they can often help things move behind the scenes or maybe explain the system to them or pass them on to someone who can help.
Also get them to try their local CAB as well - hopefully their will be a welfare adviser who can advise them on how to appeal this mess.
df