Financial Hardship

Tina20

I apologise if this is in the wrong area or has already been covered. I did a search, but still couldn't find the information I needed.

I'm a mother of a 5 month old baby, currently on income support etc. Before I lost my job in oct 2010, I had a healthy income and was granted a 1200 overdraft. I used this up when I fell into money troubles, as I couldn't work due to the weather. Eventually work started again so I was ok financially, but still had trouble shifting the overdraft.

Anywho, fast forward to losing my job in october 2010, and ending up on jsa and eventually income support etc to the point I am now. Things are going downhill fast, I've been regularly going over my overdraft limit, I constantly end up majorly backlogged with bills, bills are bouncing all over the place and it's getting pretty scary I can barely pay for the gas.

Now it's a case of, how many bills still need paid from the 1st, which will be sending bailiffs the soonest etc etc. And having to whisk any cash out asap because it quickly gets swallowed by charges and more bills before I can buy food and utilities.

Basically, I'm struggling. A lot, and I'm wondering if this 'financial hardship' thing can help me? Even if the banks lay off the charges just for a little while I could maybe get back on my feet.

What is it? How do I claim it? Would it help me? I need information please, thanks!

Tina20

Oh, and also, I had a direct debit for council tax, but it bounced. Instead of telling me this, the council have immediately sent a letter stating if I don't pay in full I'm getting taken to court. I've paid £20 over the auto phone thing, so I have nothing left in my account so hoping I can manage until friday when I get paid. But what happens if that's not enough? They can send sheriff round if they want but I physically can't pay them anything else, can they not negotiate?

powerwin

Hang in there. Sorry, I don't know what the 'financial hardship' thing is but I'm sure someone else will explain. In the meantime, I expect there are some downloadable get out of debt guides from the moneysavingexpert site, have you looked for those?

Rgds

powerwin

Also, when you find those guides, they will tell you which bills you should be paying as a priority, and which ones you can leave until later if necessary.

Rgds

cazcoo

Tina20 wrote: »

I apologise if this is in the wrong area or has already been covered. I did a search, but still couldn't find the information I needed.

I'm a mother of a 5 month old baby, currently on income support etc. Before I lost my job in oct 2010, I had a healthy income and was granted a 1200 overdraft. I used this up when I fell into money troubles, as I couldn't work due to the weather. Eventually work started again so I was ok financially, but still had trouble shifting the overdraft.

Anywho, fast forward to losing my job in october 2010, and ending up on jsa and eventually income support etc to the point I am now. Things are going downhill fast, I've been regularly going over my overdraft limit, I constantly end up majorly backlogged with bills, bills are bouncing all over the place and it's getting pretty scary I can barely pay for the gas.

Now it's a case of, how many bills still need paid from the 1st, which will be sending bailiffs the soonest etc etc. And having to whisk any cash out asap because it quickly gets swallowed by charges and more bills before I can buy food and utilities.

Basically, I'm struggling. A lot, and I'm wondering if this 'financial hardship' thing can help me? Even if the banks lay off the charges just for a little while I could maybe get back on my feet.

What is it? How do I claim it? Would it help me? I need information please, thanks!

Hi dont panic yet i have a friend who has been in the same boat she went to the citizens advice who rang all her creditors and sorted out really low payments which took the strain off she said she wished she had gone to see them sooner as it has made her life so much easier so worth a try good luck

Premier_2

See the response to your post made 11 days previously on the same subject here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/52297971#Comment_52297971

:cool:

Tina20

Thanks, I had checked the thread to see if anyone had replied but all I could see was other people asking questions too, didn't notice the post directed at me! Couldn't see the forest for the trees I guess.
In any case, this financial hardship thing isn't what I was asking in the other thread

Little_Mo_70

Tina20 wrote: »

Thanks, I had checked the thread to see if anyone had replied but all I could see was other people asking questions too, didn't notice the post directed at me! Couldn't see the forest for the trees I guess.
In any case, this financial hardship thing isn't what I was asking in the other thread

Below is my reply to your previous post. I discussed the Financial Hardship element because this is the only basis you would have of making a sucessful claim for a refund of your charges when you asked if you would be eligible.
Read up the advice on here as to how to reclaim
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/

The reasons why you fell into financial hardship in the first place would be taken into account when assessing your complaint. If some or all of the items on the criteria list were the reason then I would say you might have a chance. You have to have a very strong case and be able to prove you can't pay bills, have difficulties paying rent, etc. etc.

If your spending habits were to blame I wouldn't bother. If not, why not have a go. Study the list in the above posting.
(The list was the Ombudsman financial hardship criteria)

Tina20

Thanks guys