Credit Card Debt

evt17

This may be a little long, but I hope people will bear with me. I really need some advice - feel like I'm drowning in debt.

I was off work for a long time due to depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Went back for a week and was feeling OK - then got the dreaded meeting and was "let go". I did get a payment of about £20k. But losing my job after 19 years has really set me back into illness and I'm just not ready to look for another job right now - although I will do in a month or so.

I have 3 credit card debts, amounting to around £10k. I've contacted them all, with advice from CCCS, and agreed to pay £3 a month. I have actually been paying £10 a month to each of them. I have been advised NOT to use my payout to pay off the credit card debts, as being 50 I may not get another job for quite some time. But I'm getting several calls every day obviously from debt agency companies. I don't answer the phone. It's making my anxiety so much worse.

The reason for the debt is I only received SSP when off, so had to use the cards to pay mortgage, bills, etc. Should I just pay them off in the hope I find another job? Or just ignore their calls and keep paying what I have agreed with them? I live alone and no family - if I lose my home I'd have nowhere to go. I am just so very scared of the future.

Any advice would be gratefully received. I've put in an online application for JSA, but at the moment my anxiety is so bad I can't leave the house to go for the appointment.

Rafter

evt17

Sorry you have lost your job and are finding it tough to get back on track.

It sounds like your main priority should be to get the debt companies to stop calling you if that is making your condition worse.

I would write to each card company saying that you have taken advice from CCCS, that you are only able to make £10 payment per month and that you are suffering from stress and anxiety. Request that they, and their representatives only contact you by post and that any further calls will be treated as harrassment and reported to the police.

It also sounds like you should talk to your doctor about some support from a charity who can help support you to apply for JSA and then with getting another job so you can confidently pay off your card debt.

Good luck

R.

trikidy

Unplug the phone for now, no point making your anxiety worse.

happy_bunny_2

You could get your number changed. Then only give it to people you want to talk to.

pvt

Who advised you not to pay off the debt with your redundancy money?