Dont know what to do :(

rapunzelz86

Not sure if this is the right thread but here goes.
I have recently been to court for non payment of a fine relating to tv licence. I got a 14 day suspended custodial sentence for this and must pay £5 per week or im going to prison. This is fine, but now i have others chasing me too.
I have a court date for next thursday unless i pay unpaid council tax for a short period i was working of £148 - i cannot raise this.
I also have an arrangment to pay£5 a month for council tax on a previous property which i was unaware was my responsibility (house was ex's mortgage and he was working,i moved in ages after he was paying c/t)
Then theres my current tv licence which im in arrears of about £60, and charges from another council for £25 a month.
We are currently on benefits and struggling to get by. im am desperately looking for work,applying for around 100 jobs a week and hearing nothing, have recently retrained to try and start my own mobile beauty/hair business but have got nowhere with this.
I am quite frugal anyway so cant really cut down on anything more. My 3 children are all in need of clothes shoes and school money (trips,easter activities etc) and i just cant see how we can stay above water anymore
I know these debts are relatively small compared to some people's but to me they are impossible to control.
I dont think citizens advice can even help when its local authority/court debts.
Obviously i got myself in this mess but just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how i can get this in order without facing prison or worse

Norfolk_Jim

I think the first thing you should do is to get an appointment with your nearest CAB even though you think they can't help you. They are very busy right now so you will wait for a date but the sooner you arrange it the sooner it will come around. With 3 children have you looked at part time jobs as well? Probably you have, but if not then be aware that Tax credits can compensate quite a bit for the lower wage one brings. Have you spoken to DHSS about a crisis loan to keep the wolf from the door while you wait to see CAB?

rapunzelz86

Thanks for your reply. I made an appointment with cab today. I thought even if they cant help it may help to show that ive been to them to show i am serious about sorting it out.
I cant get any loans from the dss as i already owe them too much. ive also already had a moneyline (like credit union but run by dss) loan so they cant help either untill i pay off another £200.
I did however get invited for a telephone interview today with british gas (finally) so im hoping that will be positive for me. Im just so scared of going to prison ive never been in trouble with the police in my life so when i went to court and the judge said "how do you fancy 14 days in prison" i was in tears the thought of leaving my kids even if it is only 2 weeks and everyone knowing too
Thanks for your reply

Dharma_Bunny

Sell the TVs, and cancel the TV license.

Lots of stuff you can watch on iplayer if you've got internet at home, including cbeebies.

NeverAgain_2

I would be surprised if prison is a genuine possibility in your case, although I don't doubt the judge wanted to give you a shock.

People - particularly women - who steal several thousand pounds don't get sent to prison these days.

You can also play the children card - who would look after the poor bairns if you got locked up?

If you cannot sort this out and are called back to court, make sure you get legal representation.

You should get legal aid with the threat of prison hanging over you, even if that threat is largely empty.

throughtherain

As far as I know, you aren't allowed to view BBC iPlayer without a TV licence. However not sure about the other channels.

[Deleted User]

throughtherain wrote: »

As far as I know, you aren't allowed to view BBC iPlayer without a TV licence. However not sure about the other channels.

You can't watch "real time" tv online without a licence, but you can watch "catch up" and other older programmes.

snookey

Hi phone up the tv licence and ask for a weekly payment card to spread the payments. With the council tax Im sure an arrangement to pay will be sorted as its not a large amount and you dont have a large income. Can you not ask the council for more time as you are unemployed to pay the tax.

snookey

Have a look at this(FWA) Grants Service
The Family Welfare Association can help anyone living in the UK who is in need of financial assistance at a time of crisis in their lives. They will help with clothing (particularly children’s), fuel bills and household needs such as beds, cookers, washing machines, etc. They cannot help with rent arrears, council tax, fines, funeral expenses, private school fees or repayment of social fund loans or expenses already covered by statutory funds. Applications must be made by a professional person such as a Social Worker, Health Visitor or by a Voluntary Agency such as a local CAB. Average payments are £100 - £200. FWA also runs an Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS); students encountering difficulties during their course can make applications. Applications must be supported by a reference from a course tutor. The student is provided with as much information as possible on other appropriate sources of finance before being referred to the Grants Service for consideration. Address: 501-505 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AU. Student Advice Line: 020 7241 7459. Website: www.family-action.org.uk/ Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 2p.m. to 4p.m.


Family Service Units (FSU)
The FSU works with families in need in the inner cities of England and Scotland. If an FSU Social Worker feels that a family that is using the service is considered in need of a capital grant (up to £300) they apply to FSU head office on the family’s behalf. To find out if there is a FSU in your area call 0207 402 5175.

Hope this helps

CIS

The Council Tax court hearing is only to issue a Liability Order (an order to allow the council to recover the money due). You cannot be considered for committal to prison or fined by the magistrate at this stage.

Providing your on an attachable benefit (JSA/IS/ESA/PC) then if I dealt with your case I would be happy accept to apply for direct deductions from your benefit (£3.30 p/w) for the council tax. I would also be quite happy to cease your previous arrangement and roll the two separate debts together on hardship grounds.

Have a word with the local CAB or Advice Service (the council should be able to give you this).

rapunzelz86

Thanks again for all your helpful replies, especially snooky and CIS.
The court letter does actually state we (myself and OH) are summoned to court, so is this definately only a liability order? It has shocked me because we only missed Feb and march payments for C/T and i did keep in regular contact with them. Hopefully they will just arrange a low payment plan as we were supposed to be paying £50 for 3 months - a lot really on benefits.
I hope i can get this sorted and a job comes through soon.I guess i am lucky in the sense that once im back in work i can sort all my debts in one pay. but if i cant get the work then the debts keep growing.
I secured another interview today for tomorrow its only part time but will be a massive income boost for us.
I will keep you all posted on how it goes.
Thanks again for the support :beer: