Newbie with no clue!

Cankin

Hi all I just joined.

Ok so me- I am unemployed at the moment. I split with my partner and had to leave his place and move to stay with my sister. I have a JSA meeting tomorrow so I can hopefully get some money.

I have £3000+ in debts and i'm getting pretty scared now. I'm just not sure how to move forward. Can anyone offer any advice?

I'm scared to contact the companies and would prefer some kind of payment plan that puts everything together so I pay one amount a month, but I don't know if I could do this on JSA?

Any help appreciated.

Tixy

Hi and welcome

First off do you owe money to the bank you have your bank account with (overdraft, cards or loan etc)? if so open a new bank account asap that is not connected to any bank you owe money to and make sure your benefits are paid into the new bank account.

Then you can look to set up some sort of repayment, realistically it will probably be only token payments you can afford whilst on JSA but this is far better than paying nothing at all.

RAS

I would emphasise this.

if you owe any money to your bank or any associated company, you need a new basic bank account tomorrow. Do not let benefits be paid into your exisitng aCCOUNT.

Are the debt joint or in your name only?

Cankin

Yes one of my debts is with my bank. I will have to bring my bank details tomorrow so should I have them pay it into my sisters account until I open my own?

Also once I start getting payments how do I go about setting up a payment plan? Do I need to apply to a company that deals with it? Will they have a problem with me being on JSA?

Thanks!

Cankin

RAS the debts are in my name

RAS

Cankin

At this stage, do not deal with a company. Talk to one of the debt charities but whilst you are on JSA, you can only really pay them £1 per month each. Once you start work again try and do a DMP through a debt charity.

Do you have PPI on any of these debts?

Cankin

RAS

What do you mean by a debt charity? Can you recommend one?

I don't have PPI on any of the debts. I never saw this happening and me moving and being unable to get to work. Will the companies accept such small payments?

Thanks

RAS

List of charities http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help

VBasic rule - they will not like it, they will bleat but they cannot have what you do not have. your priority is household expenses and money to get to sign on. If you have any spare after paying your £1 per month, fine. If not. tough.

missladyannie

Could I just ask what a JSA is please? thanks x

RAS

Job Seekers Allowance - dole