Can Fallen Angels Fly Again ?

Aesop

GreyhoundAngel wrote: »

]Council Tax - I've been told I may get some "relief" on my Council Tax, but am waiting for confirmation as to what if anything. Have you applied for it?

Electric - is currently with British Gas, who've recently upped their prices. But yes some of that is what you'd class as arrears from the cold weather earlier this year (we've got old electric storage heaters atm) but it's also because Mr GA is at home all the time - so quite heavy usage. Hope this is not too personal, but what disability does Mr GA have? Reason I ask, he may qualify for reductions on bills.

Water Rates - are quite hefty in this area, but I am a little behind (with permission) so am having to play catch up a bit. I've aleady spoken to them about going on to a meter, just waiting to hear back. I am on a water meter and it is much better, more useful as you can see exactly what you are using. Depending on Mr GA's disability you may qualify for assistance.

To be honest, I've not looked into switching any of the suppliers, as I didn't think I'd be able to without clearing the current bills in addition to my credit rating's pretty shot to bits right now ? Don't ask me how but I managed to leave BG even though I owed them money and sign up with Scottish Power who I capped with until 2012. I am still having to pay back BG arrears directly to them but at least my gas and electric bills are lower!

bear with me, I am just checking somethings out.

Aesop

I don't think you will need this, because your BB and phone deal sounds good.
http://www.disabilityalliance.org/btbasic.htm

ok, warm front - you may be eligible for a grant to help with the heating

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energygrants/DG_10018661

chevalier

GreyhoundAngel wrote: »

SOA – 12/09/11


Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 0
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 750 (New Estimated Figure from 01/10/11) yeah to the extra income, can you do any mystery shopping, surveys, etc to boost your income further.
Partners monthly income after tax....... 82 (DLA Basic Care Rate) Obviously we don't know what your partners health issues are, but as above could he do surveys, daily clicks, take advantage of free bingo offers, write reviews for a few pence a time? And sorry to ask this but if he gets DLA should he not also be entitltes to Incapacity Benefit or ESA or something as well?
Benefits................................ 190 (Estimated W/Tax Credit 01/01/11)
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1022

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 1 (As stated this is on a payment “hold”) When do payments resume? Will you be able to meet them when they restart?
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 1 (Pending agreement) As above
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 105 can you spread this over 12 months if you haven't already? When will you know about getting a benefit for this?
Electricity............................. 60 (Estimated)
Gas..................................... 30 (Estimated)
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 50 (Pending Meter decision)
Telephone (land line)................... 30 (combined with broadband)Is this the cheapest you can get?
Mobile phone............................ 10 (PAYG, Free double Loadup via Mr T)
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 200 (Estimated)
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 250 (Estimated)
Road tax................................ 25
Car Insurance........................... 40 This seems pretty high, check when it is due for renewal, and don't forget to change via a cash back site eg quidco, topcashback etc.
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 20
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 30
Buildings insurance..................... 50 (Combined House & Contents)This seems very high as well. I think we were paying about half this before we went onto landlords insurance.
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 25
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 939

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 250000
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 1500
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 251500

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 130000...(1)........0
Secured Debt.................. 10000....(1)........0
Total secured & HP debts...... 140000....-.........-

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Old H/H Utility Debts..........1500......10........0
C/Tax Back Payments............1500......10........0
Water Back Payments............900.......10........0
Dad's Backpayments.............6600......0.........0
Private Family Loan............5000......0.........0
Old Business Debts.............2000......10........0
Lloyds C/C Debt................1500......10........0
Cap 1 C/C Debt.................1700......10........0
Old B/Account Debts............2500......10........0
Total unsecured debts..........23200.....70........-
You need the APRs for all of these unless you are in a debt manangement plan? Otherwise you can't target your debt repayment? Sorry ignore that you are obviously are in a plan, I have just noticed the repayment.s
Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,022
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 939
Available for debt repayments........... 83
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 70
Amount left after debt repayments....... 13

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 251,500
Total HP & Secured debt................. -140,000
Total Unsecured debt.................... -23,200
Net Assets.............................. 88,300

Created using the SOA calculator at www.makesenseofcards.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using IE browser.

So that's it in a nutshell Gang, suggestions very welcome.
G'Angel xx

I would still query as to why you are repaying an overpayment of your dads pension, when you didn't benefit from this. Might be worth double checking with the financial advisor at the CAB. same with the business payments or are those yours?

I am amazed that you are doing so well, when you have such little money coming into the household. I wonder if you are getting all the benefit help you are entitled to.

Also if you have any charges on your bank accounte etc, then you maybe can still reclaim them under the hardship clause?

good luck with your continued journey.
chev

GreyhoundAngel

Have you applied for it?
The council are sending me some information & form(s) - just waiting for it to arrive, to see exactly what they're offering (not sure if it's a reduction or CT Benefit ?)

Hope this is not too personal, but what disability does Mr GA have? Reason I ask, he may qualify for reductions on bills.
No worries, I don't mind the questions
He had a stroke, and not recovered to any real degree & was diagnosed with Diabetes a while back too. According to DWP - he's not bad enough to qualify for higher rate bands for care - and none at all for mobility, despite problems walking & doing basic things etc. Therefore he doesnt meet the minimum qualifiers for Disability assistance most of the time.

I am on a water meter and it is much better, more useful as you can see exactly what you are using. Depending on Mr GA's disability you may qualify for assistance.
I'm hoping that it will prove likewise for us - so long as I can make Mr GA grasp the concept of smaller usage. Not sure if he will qualify for any assistance - they all seem to revolve around certain benefits - which he doesn't get currently.

Don't ask me how but I managed to leave BG even though I owed them money and sign up with Scottish Power who I capped with until 2012. I am still having to pay back BG arrears directly to them but at least my gas and electric bills are lower!
I might look into this then, though I'd probably be more optimistic if it was just owing BGas money - but think my credit rating may make it nigh impossible to switch just now ...

I've been trying for months (and then some) to check into what financial help we might be able to get, and it seems that they all revolve around certain Benefits receipts - which we havent met qualification for. I'm hoping that once I secure WT Credit, some of them may be open to us.

Thanks so much
G'Angel xxx

GreyhoundAngel

Aesop wrote: »

I don't think you will need this, because your BB and phone deal sounds good.
http://www.disabilityalliance.org/btbasic.htm

ok, warm front - you may be eligible for a grant to help with the heating

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energygrants/DG_10018661

Thanks for those Aesop - I'll check them out tomorrow

G'Angel xxx

savingholmes

Hi Angel - you sound like you've had a tough time. Good to see you posting again. I pay half what you do in house insurance - perhaps you could look at switching. We used to pay £54 a month but stripped it back to about £23 as we don't claim for stuff anyway and only really want cover for a true emergency situation... Perhaps you could check out what the excesses are on the insurance you have and see if it is all still worth having...

GreyhoundAngel

Hi Chev, nice to see you :A

I'll try and answer your final comments first, then go back to the questions you asked in the quoted bits...

chevalier wrote: »

I would still query as to why you are repaying an overpayment of your dads pension, when you didn't benefit from this. Might be worth double checking with the financial advisor at the CAB. same with the business payments or are those yours?

The overpayments on dads pension & the medical entitlements got paid into his account in error after his death - therefore have to be repaid.
The rest of it is backpayments for something tied into the house - and though I'm already questioning this, after everything recently - I'm not willing to risk witholding payments atm.

The Business payments are mine & Mr GA's unfortunately. But most of those figures are actually charges + interest, not actual "spent" debt.

chevalier wrote: »

I am amazed that you are doing so well, when you have such little money coming into the household. I wonder if you are getting all the benefit help you are entitled to.

Thank you Chev, It's not been easy, more robbing paul to pay peter, then hoping for a hint of a rainbow to get me to the next day.
The new SOA does look alot more healthy compared to the previous/current one (Nov2010) - where I've been juggling everything on a wage of £650 + Mr GA's DLA money. I'm also too aware that it could easily change again.
As I mentioned in reply to Aesop - so much of the available help, we've not qualified for as not in reciept of specific Benefits. Hopefully, WT Credit & CT Benefit (if we qualify) may change some of that - but for now it's not an open option for us.

chevalier wrote: »

Also if you have any charges on your bank accounte etc, then you maybe can still reclaim them under the hardship clause?

I thought that bank charges were no longer "reclaimable", after the court ruling dismissed the move ?
Most of my bank & credit card debts figures are actually charges + interest, not actual "spent" debt and then of course the interest they add on top.
I also thought it wouldn't be possible to reclaim now, as they've been passed on to DCA's ? Of course that could just be me, being totally dimwitted !

chevalier wrote: »

good luck with your continued journey.
chev

Thanks for the good wishes, and your ever helpful input Chev

G'Angel xxx

GreyhoundAngel

savingholmes wrote: »

Hi Angel - you sound like you've had a tough time. Good to see you posting again. I pay half what you do in house insurance - perhaps you could look at switching. We used to pay £54 a month but stripped it back to about £23 as we don't claim for stuff anyway and only really want cover for a true emergency situation... Perhaps you could check out what the excesses are on the insurance you have and see if it is all still worth having...

Hi Savinghomes, nice to see you again too :A

I've been reluctant to look into switching suppliers for anything, as I with my credit record in tatters - I wouldnt have a hope in h*ll in being successful, and I really couldn't face rejections (not to mention the additional footprints on my credit record)

But I hadn't thought of your suggestion in perhaps reducing the House Insurance by checking my excessess etc - thank you - I'll put that on my list!

Hope you're keeping well !

Angel xxx

Aesop

Watersure was introduced in response to the regulations laid out by the Government to help customers who pay for their water on a measured basis and who might be facing hardship as a result of high water use for essential purposes.
Regulations to protect vulnerable groups were laid on 22 December 1999.
The Government set out the context for its approach in Water Industry Act
1999: Delivering the Government's Objectives, which was published on 3 February 2000.
Every water Supplier will have a Watersure Scheme available to there customers.

The Government guidelines are very specific about who is and isn't eligible for the Watersure Scheme

First and foremost your property must be billed via a water meter.
The amount of you bill must exceed the Watersure capped charge which at the moment stands at around £310.00 per year.

A resident of the household must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits

Income Support
Income Based Job seekers Allowance
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Benefit
Child Tax Credit (except in receipt of the family element only)
Pension Credit
Working Tax Credit


The person who receives the Benefit must be responsible for at least three children under the 19 years, who must be permanently resident in the household,

You may also be eligible if you or someone who lives with you suffers from and is being treated for one for the following medical conditions:

-Desquamation (flaky skin disease)

-Weeping skin disease (eczema,psoriasis, varicose, ulceration)

-Incontinence

-Crohn's disease

-Ulcerative colitis

- Abdominal stomas

-Renal failure requiring dialysis at home, unless a contribution to the cost of water consumed in the process of dialysis during the billing period is made by the health authority

-Any other medical condition as certified by a registered medical practitioner, certification must include: the name of the patient, the diagnosis of the medical condition, the date of the certification, and together the name, address and signature of the registered medical practitioner and as a result of that condition is obliged to use significant additional volume of water.

Aesop

Does getting insurance get footprinted on your credit file? I don't know, as we don't have any.

Can I suggest checking this and if it doesn't, do some comparisons to check if you are paying the cheapest insurance.

Don't just use the comparison websites, they are paid by the insurance companies they use to promote their products. There are independent companies that will never show on comparison websites, like Direct Line Insurance, who maybe cheaper, may offer a cashback rate, paid directly to you no waiting for quidco or topcashback to pay out.

Have you tried Swintons Insurance?

Do you hold a co-operative card?

http://www.co-operativeinsurance.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?cid=1243580259454&pagename=CFScombi/Page/CFSCtplBlankNI&c=Page&WT.srch=1

if you do, and their insurance is cheaper, you benefit both ways, getting moneyback from the co-op and cheaper insurance.