Help advice required

stressed30something

I don't know if anyone can help me but after trawling through the internet I don't seem to be any nearer. I'm considering bankruptcy but have a couple of things I need to know first hopefully someone can help as I don't know where to turn anymore. I live alone in a flat I bought in 2006 the Management Company do nothing in fact the communal stairs have no electric and no lighting a few years back he demanded thousands (5 approx) and threatened to take me to court stupidly I caved in and put on the credit card, the place is falling to bits and no-one seems to help when we turn for advice. He is now demanding management charges etc even though no-one else pays and he told one woman she didn't have to. I'm so depressed about coming home in the pitch black. Added to this in 2009 when I was stressed and doing a degree I stupidly resigned from my job as I couldn't take it there anymore(Id just returned after being off with stress) anyway my grandma who raised me then died and I ended up going back there as a temporary worker through an agency and have been since 2009. However the company is owned by one of the banks though it doesn't deal with accounts I would still have to leave if I was declared bankrupt. My mortgage was a staff mortgage and they didn't change it at the time even though I told them, they have just written to tell me they are now changiing it and it has gone up £75 a month (3.5 % variable mortgage). I just can't handle the stress of it anymore, when interest rates where high I stupidly got a loan I still have and stupidly spent on credit cards for meals, going out etc particularly when my sister got cancer. I have about 8k in unsecured debt (2 credit cards and a loan) plus a mortgage of just over £47k and given the state of the building and the market I am in great negative equity. If I went bankrupt i would lose the job (not secure anyway, up and down business and they aren't recruiting permanent staff, seen to many temps come and go in the 2 half years since I went back but does pay more per hour than the permanent staff there). I don't want to live here anymore and can't stand the job since various changes I feel I am being shut out and will be next to go. Is bankruptcy a way forward ? I don't want the home and can't cope with this stress for much longer. I have and am looking for a permanent job but even if I do get one it is unlikely to pay as much as my current one thus I would be worse off. If I did go bankrupt would I be entitled to claim jobseekers allowance ? All my payments are currently up to date and I have about £150 in the bank so I know I would have to find the money to do so. Thanks in advance sorry its so longwinded

fermi

You would be able to claim JSA.

Is there someone in HR etc that you can have a word with regarding the job and bankruptcy? Many people think it will cost them their job, but turns out not to be the case when they dig a bit more.

Not that I'm necessarily saying that is they way to go. Not really our place to say that.

Have you spoken to a free help service?

See: IMPORTANT - Where to seek professional impartial advice about your debts.

stressed30something

I have spoken to someone I know who runs a debt advice company, she suggested trying to consolidate my loans and getting a permanent job. I haven't spoken to anyone else Im just feeling brave enough to tackle it as I suffer from depression on and off anyway. I am pretty sure it is in the contract about bankruptcy and they do credit checks before they hire you even as a temporary worker through the agency but I do need to find that out for certain. Thanks I will take a look at the link when I get back from work. I know bankruptcy is serious but I'm beginning to think it is my best option to get a fresh start

tigerfeet2006

Please check out Fermi's link and get some free, professional, impartial advice. In my very humble opinion it is never a good idea to consolidate loans.

You will be able to claim benefits if you go BR, it will not cause problems.

Please try not to worry too much, if the debt charities suggest BR then we will help and support you all we can. Come back and tell us what they suggest when you have spoken to them.

stressed30something

Hi I went on the ccc website as it was after 8 when I got home they recommended a debt management plan but given I am in a temporary job which I couldn't do online I'm not sure if this will affect that. If it wasn't for being torn regarding the benefits of having a home even one that is falling to bits and is constant stress to the extreme (I recommend everyone climbs two flights of stairs in the pitch black to their front door honest) and being homeless as I said earlier being 99% sure it is in my contract and they did credit checks to get the job I probably would already be on my way to being bankrupt, I can't help but think it would be better to get on with it now than wait it out worried sick for the inevitable

Florence22

Hi stressed30something and welcome to the forum

You may have done so already, but please make sure you read all the stickies, it's worth taking the time and will give you so much information.
Try calling National Debtline too and the CAB - you need to find an agency (free) that you're comfortable with.

It's a very hard decision to make but once you've decided which way to go you'll feel a little better and more in control.

I'm so sorry you've obviously had an awful time recently - I hope things start to improve soon for you.
Keep posting here, you really will get a lot of help and support and will not feel so alone.

Good luck and best wishes
Flo xx