Declaring ESA and DLA as income on credit card application

ToTo_Man

I have a 27 yr old relative in receipt of ESA (support group) and DLA due to permanent physical disability. He is unable to work due to the extent of his disability, and lives at home with his parents, who provide additional physical and financial support to him.

He wishes to apply for an Aqua Advance credit card and has asked me to assist in filling out the online application form. I am wondering how to most accurately reflect his occupation and income circumstances?

In particular, do I choose 'Unemployed' or 'Other' from the pull-down list? If I choose 'unemployed', do I enter the total amount he receives from his benefits into the 'Gross Annual Income' field, or should this be instead entered into the 'Other Household Income' field?

Finally, what about the aspects of his financial situation that are more difficult to represent/quantify on the application, e.g. the fact that he has reduced living expenses due to all household outgoings being paid for by his parents), and that he has access to additional (parents) funds if need be? Should we attempt to quantify this and incorporate it into one of the two income fields?

I want to make sure I reflect his situation accurately but also in the best possible light, as I don't want to cause him another application rejection (this will be his first credit card if his application is accepted).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated .

zerog

Why does he need a credit card, especially an Aqua advance one?

ToTo_Man

zerog wrote: »

Why does he need a credit card, especially an Aqua advance one?

He doesn't 'need' one in the sense of being in financial difficulty. He would simply like the benefit of Section 75 protection for his online shopping (he currently uses his debit card for this) and would like a competitive overseas FX for the odd occasion he is well enough to go on holiday. He's looking at the Aqua advance because he has no other credit cards (and therefore no credit history), and his application for a Halifax Clarity Card last year was rejected (apparently on the grounds of his 'unemployed' occupation status). So he is basically just looking to get a foothold and build up some credit history.

ToTo_Man

I would still appreciate advice on this please, particularly on the following question:

When filling out an online credit card application, does the system acknowledge a user entry in the field for "Income/Salary" if the user has selected "Unemployed" from the drop-down menu, or does the system automatically assume that you have no income if you are unemployed?

_Andy_

"In particular, do I choose 'Unemployed' or 'Other' from the pull-down list? If I choose 'unemployed', do I enter the total amount he receives from his benefits into the 'Gross Annual Income' field, or should this be instead entered into the 'Other Household Income' field? "

Ring the lender and ask.

[Deleted User]

1) all income can be included as gross
2) chose other and explain disabled,if you cant do that online do it by phone

bingy_burge

You can get a prepaid gold card that you pay 6.95 a month for so you benefit from the section 75 protection. I would use the tools on here to check credit card eligibilty and then go for the best one. Aqua isnt that great. Barclay card initial is better.

I woulnt go counting DLA income according to facebook (if you believe that) atos are getting people off it and back to work so I am not sure how secure the income is and whether a lender will accept it on the basis it can be taken away. If he can use a computer they may well find him a job.