Close to going under.

The_Thunder_Child

Hi guys and gals, here I have a problem.

I was made redundant in June 2009 and despite many job interviews have sofar landed none.

The government have been paying a small amount towards the mortgage, (interest only) but since I have now been unemployed for 2 years, they have cut all ties.....They now pay nothing in the way of support. DWP say that they cannot do anything, I have to appeal, which BTW they say will be refused I then have to take Cosham to court, but that will take months.

I have all my creditors in agreement of £1 per month, and the Halifax are satisfied that I have a payment agreement in place, but I now cannot pay that.

I will write to the local council for support, because although Halifax are being great, I am now 5 months behind - they will only be nice for so long, then will probably turn on me.....

...I have been very open with everyone asking about my financial detail, and never missed a call or letter from creditors, but now I have no money coming in from DWP - I am at a bit of a loss.

I tried slicing my CV and wage expectation in half, and four interviews all came back over qualified.....I am completely stuck.....and losing sight of resolution.......anyone got any ideas of what I can do?

Halifax will not allow me to rent, as I am in arrears.......

Christ, I don't even know if this eMail makes sense.......

Horace

Do you get income-based Jobseekers Allowance?

Not sure what to suggest other than trying to claim income-based JSA or even asking the jobcentre if you can get on a programme to help you into self employment.

Didnt want to read and run really, hopefully someone more experienced that I in thee matters will come along with some better advice.

justjohn

Sorry but i cannot really help. Long time since i went for an interview/ Applied for jobs.

However you should be doing ANY JOB to stop yourself going under.

When i was applying for jobs i would always adapted my CV for the job i was applying for.

attila_

Can I ask a quick question...how dis u get Gov. To pay mortgage for 2 years? Is this standard practice? It sounds too good to be true.

I'm paying insurance upon insurance to protect my mortgage...if i knew that gov. Paid!

hcb42

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10013261

It's not exactly a good strategy. Interest only, not for three months and capped.

EconomicsGirl

Sorry to hear you've been out of work for so long.

I'ld definately keep talking to the Halifax and keep them informed of all developments - its the best way of helping to ensure they stay supportive for as long as possible.

I'm not sure what you can do. Obviously keep applying for jobs, get feedback, maybe consider doing some voluntary work/training to help stop the gap on your CV.

Re money I'ld consider either selling the house or renting it out / or renting a room. All of these could affect benefits so it depends on your personal circumstances. It maybe if you're got a lot of equity in the house you could increase your mortgage but its not a long-term solution. Maybe look into being self-employed - is there anything you could do or is there anything you could retrain to do?

patman99

Even if the OP had taken-out PPI, he would still be in the position he is in now eventually.
OP, have you tried signing-up to do surveys?, I know they do not pay huge amounts, but every penny counts. Also, if you have space, store all your old tins, then when you have enough bags take them to the scrap man and exchange for money.

Do you live near a station or major airport?. Renting your drive/front garden for parking can bring-in a few quid, especially if you live near a football/rugby stadium. You could get £5 per car for match day/event parking.

As for Halifax saying you can't rent, I don't think they can stop you. All they are worried about is that if you sold-up, paid-up as much of your debt as you could (keeping enough aside to pay a deposit and first months rent), they may not get back all the money they lent you to buy your house in the first place.

Having had the displeasure of taking 11 mnths to regain employment, I know how desperate the situation can become.

One thing that does rile me is that as a mortgage-paying home-owner, the Govt. couldn't care less whetheror not I can pay my mortgage when out of work, but if I were to rent, they would pay the whole lot (and carry-on paying part of it even if I were working). It really is time to level the playing field and stop paying for people's rent after the first year, or insist on renters obtaining 'Rental PPI).

ceridwen

In reply to above poster - but people have to have SOMEWHERE to live - hence why rent (at least) has to continue to be paid. So - unless one wants gangs of homeless people roaming the streets - then the Government have to keep doing so.

Though I do agree that it is very harsh to tell people that their mortgage interest payments will stop after 2 years. Put like that - then I cant see how anyone could actually take out a mortgage unless they had no more than 2 years to go to retirement (ie they wouldnt go over that 2 year limit).

I dont know whether I would have "had the nerve" to buy a house years back if I hadnt known that if I became unemployed again that all my mortgage interest would be paid right away and for however-long-necessary (even if that meant year after year after year...). Because that was the level of mortgage help people had then - then I went ahead and took on a mortgage and bought a house. I doubt I would have done so without that "fallback position" there to protect me if I became unemployed.

In the event - I never did have to call on Plan B (ie I never became unemployed again - thank goodness).

justjohn

ceridwen wrote: »

In reply to above poster - but people have to have SOMEWHERE to live - hence why rent (at least) has to continue to be paid. So - unless one wants gangs of homeless people roaming the streets - then the Government have to keep doing so.

Though I do agree that it is very harsh to tell people that their mortgage interest payments will stop after 2 years. Put like that - then I cant see how anyone could actually take out a mortgage unless they had no more than 2 years to go to retirement (ie they wouldnt go over that 2 year limit).

I dont know whether I would have "had the nerve" to buy a house years back if I hadnt known that if I became unemployed again that all my mortgage interest would be paid right away and for however-long-necessary (even if that meant year after year after year...). Because that was the level of mortgage help people had then - then I went ahead and took on a mortgage and bought a house. I doubt I would have done so without that "fallback position" there to protect me if I became unemployed.

In the event - I never did have to call on Plan B (ie I never became unemployed again - thank goodness).

Plan B should be mortgage payment protection
Plan C should be savings

Well thats the way i looked at it when i took out first mortgage. Only thing thats changed for me is there is no plan B.