Single parent of 3 with mass debts,advise please

salsup

Hi,I have recently seperated from my partner,have approx 30,000 of debt in my name,previous to this he was earning and we were receiving tax credits of aprox 175 per week,i have today signed on to income support,the house is rented so it will no doubt be covered by housing benefits,but where do I go from here,I was struggling as it was to make payments on the cards. I'm really stressed and would appreciate some advice ,thanks

kazd

I would suggest that you go to one of these debt crisis centres, I am sure somebody on here could tell you more about them if not Martin himself.

Sorry I can't be of more help than that, but remember the rule of thumb is to pay the one with the highest interest rate first. It might be if you talk to the companies they might freeze the interest and come to some repayment agreement with you.

salsup

Hi,thanks for that,what puzzles me more is the govt seem to have been allowing more for us on benefits whilst working,its seems amazing i will be down my partners wage and yet get less benefit....Am I wrong here...as it is very worrying

Debt_Free_Chick

Salsup

Suggest you get on to the National Debtline, a charity helping people with debts

https://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

Phone 0808 808 4000

Alternatives are

https://www.payplan.co.uk
https://www.cccs.co.uk

Or your local CAB

Xbigman

Sorry but you do not get top up benefits if you don't have a job. Top up type benefits (child tax credit, etc) are designed as an extra benefit for working people to make it worth while actually bothering to work. Not how the govt. phrases it but accurate none the less. You might be able to claim child tax credit but it will then get knocked off some other benefit. Most people in your situation simply don't bother as child tax credit is such a hassle and gets you nothing.

Benefits go up a little in April but I think you will get your rent and council tax paid plus 55.00 for you and 38.50 for each child plus you get your normal child benefit. You can also claim child support through the child support agency but (assuming the father actually pays) you only get 10.00 a week of that as the govt keeps most of it to offset your other benefits.

You really need to see the Citizens advice bureau or contact one of the other debt helplines as detailed elsewhere in this thread. I'd go to the CAB as they can also advise on benefits as well as debts.
Regards




X

bokkie7975

Unless the system is different in other parts of the UK you will have to apply for Child Tax Credits as Income Support does not include any money for children. I think it changed last year. When I applied last March no-one actually told me this and I waited for nearly 3 months for my claim to be approved ! When it eventually was it was for me only i.e. £55.65 / week , I then discovered on checking that they hadn't made a mistake that I should have applied for CTC :mad:
They don't tell you unless you ask apparently :eek:
Go to your nearest CAB and make sure that you are claiming all that you are entitled to, before you even think about worrying about debt.

Xbigman

My ex partner says that when you claim income support you must ALSO claim for the children and that she isn't aware that CTC has replaced this.

Same advice as before I'm afraid, talk to CAB.
Regards



X

salsup

Many thanks for all your answers,its a great help,i'm just so confused at the moment what with the split and that and just thought it wierd to get less. Anyhow,obviously i can not pay this debt,i dont really want to go bankrupt,but again i cant pay either. It difficult for me at the moment,a split with my partner then the debt problem on top. Ideally i would like to pay,but cant. What will happen if i declare bankrupt? Will they come in search my house and clear it out? I dont have anything of value,except my car ,worth maybe about 2,000

daveboy

For me there is a duty of responsibility here. Three children and £30k in debt.

Whilst I am 24, male (meaning I am one of those b*astards that puts you in this position - I'll say it for you to save you the effort), I would never allow that sort of situation to arise.

House prices are ridiculous so I've already prepared myself for renting for the rest of my life. I own a car which I will drive into the ground before I even get close to consider buying another one. I never borrow for those things that aren't absolutely necessary - my debt is £350 and that is due to car insurance.

It really does amaze me that people rack up such sizeable debt then the worst happens and they have no way out.

I am not making myself out to be perfect. We can't predict the future.

But what we can certainly do is live in a way that lessens the blow if a relationship breaks down.

salsup

Hi,wow ,aren't you elite dave boy!

johannamse

woo hoo for Daveboy.

Your like one of those superfit guys that go to the Doctor, for a health check, just so they can be reassured that, "yes you are superfit, and have no problems".

So, Daveboy, "well done, you clever boy, you".

Thanks for contributing to this thread and making OP feel better.