tentative SOA

Delree

Just a warning, your tax credit entitlement doesn't run from renew date to renew date but changes with your circumstances. If you are not entitled to WTC when you renew because of the job you now have then you won't be entitled now and will be facing an overpayment if you don't report your change of circumstances dynamically.

saffer_in_fylde

I would call the CC company and ask them. My ex spent ages worrying about it, then called them and they agreed to freeze the interest for 3 months and he could pay a 1/3 of the monthly payment (not entirely sure how it works - sorry!) but if you don't ask, you won't get.

theoretica

Just thinking about your son's contribution - presumably he eats half the food (£75) and without him in the house you would get single person's council tax discount (£25) so his contribution to running the house - rent, electricity, gas, phones etc is only equivalent to £20 a month + the car. This is very kind of you, but can you really afford it?

liltdiddylilt

Hi there... just to repeat what delree said above... If your circumstances change with regards to income, you have to inform the revenue immediately that there is a change. If you're not entitled to it now, they will look at your income in April, and your forms, & they will ask for repayment of everything you are not entitled to.

I am sorry to be the bearer of the bad news, but my friend got a letter 2 days ago requesting back £1400. Scary as it may seem to call and change your circumstances with them & lose the money... you need to do so, because every payment you are getting between now and April when they will recalculate is wrong.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/not-reported-change.htm

See the above, hope this helps...

Good luck & sorry I couldn't be more use with your current money situation... Hopefully this will help you pre-empt something terrible happening in April.

igaveupnowimback

Hi, gosh, thanks everyone who took the time to read and reply, I really appreciate it. I have taken points and they've given me some food for thought. I will try calling bank re CC interest. Thank you. Re tax credits, HMRC have based on last year's income when I was still at uni and working part time. My wage was £5000. My full time wage is just over £12000 pa and HMRC know this. I am thus entitled based on last year's income but I won't be in future when they base it on this year's income, if that makes sense. Not looking forward to phoning bank, really wish I could get on an even keel. Sorry I feel pretty ashamed at not managing, am devouring encouragement and hope from these posts and threads : )

igaveupnowimback

Got a real boost by managing to sell some items on ebay and searched high and low for old gold jewellery, including my long since used wedding and engagement rings. Other odd bits gathered over the years, just inexpensive bits as I'm def not a jewellery person, read posts on MSE re best sites and sent off to Hatton. Result was really fast payment into my bank which allowed me to pay CC and rent. Determined to get things organised and get finances sorted. Breathing space, grateful.

beanielou

Remember you could also have a wee car boot or sell things on facebook or gum tree.
Keep plodding.

Stingy_3000

Could you get a second job or do some mystery shopping or online surveys to increase your revenues and pay off your debt? Paying off an additional 200GBP a month will get you out of debt in half the time.

igaveupnowimback

Stingy_3000 wrote: »

Could you get a second job or do some mystery shopping or online surveys to increase your revenues and pay off your debt? Paying off an additional 200GBP a month will get you out of debt in half the time.

Thanks, can't do second job as work shifts inc evenings & weekends, will look into online surveys, can you really make a little with them? Have contact for a market survey company to sign up for where you attend once in a while to give opinions on various products/services. Will try that. Pretty enthused by the gold / ebay start ! : ) Thanks again.

Stingy_3000

Could you work a few extra shifts? I can see you studied part time last year: will it help you apply for a better paid job?

With surveys, cashback and co, I spend about 30min a day (usually when i cannot sleep or am drying my hair!) and have been averaging 70GBP a month since i started 4 months ago. This is unlikely to be enough for you, but could help alongside other sources of income.

Selling your unwanted possessions is a good idea and can help get rid of any clutter as well.