Some Advice for my Parents Please

Bunnie1982

My parents have a loan with Natwest with PPI included and also something else with British Gas with PPI included.

My dad has now been off work since April 2006, he was paid statutory sick pay from work until October where the doctor said he was unfit to return back to his employment - they were unable to redeploy him elsewhere.

Since then my dad has been on Incapacity Benefit and also a small amount of Disability Living allowance - he gets £72 per week.

My Mum works part time and because of her wage they don't get any reduction on council tax or rent - they have tried applying for it numerous times.

Now for the debt problems:

Natwest applied the PPI to the Loan for one year, now they are dragging their feet in terms of applying it again - my dad had to get a medical note from the doctor for £14, Natwest then wanted to write to the incapacity doctor, now they have wrote back to my dad to say that his medical note expires after 1 month and they will now need another one.

In the meantime the loan has been going out of my parents account and causing them to go overdrawn with fees being applied. Every other month Natwest have refunded these charges but this month they are refusing to budge and my parents have been charged £32 for going overdrawn.


British Gas will only apply the PPI for one year and as that year is up and my parents are not in the financial position to meet the contractual payments they are being hounded with up to 5 telephone calls a day - despite telling them it constitutes harassment and requesting all correspondence be in writing.


What is the best course of action for my parents? Because this is making my dad feel even worse, he has got very severe Angina and has to use GTN spray when he gets off the phone.

I don't live at home so I really don't know the best way to help them

pinkshoes

I'm not sure what help is available, but could your parents sell something to pay some of the loan payments to give them some breathing space? i.e. if they no longer need a car because your dad can't work.

It's not a permanent solution, but it would at least give them some time to sort themselves out.

My dad also has angina (quadruple heart bypass + angioplasty), so had to give up his £40k job for incapacity benefit, but he had insurance, and their mortgage was almost paid off, so they got the payments reduced so my mum's salary could pay it. Tell your dad not to get stressed!

Bunnie1982

My parents rent a house through the council so have not got a mortgage to pay.

They haven't really got anything to sell, just have the basics in their house - they are phobic of technology. As for the car it is a requirement because my Mum starts work at 5am and there are no buses that run to the location where she works - fortunately because of the disability benefit the car tax has been paid for.

krisskross

Would they consider speaking to Payplan or CCCs to agree a payment plan with their creditors that they can afford? What does the t&C of the ppi on the loans say? Is the protection for a limited time?

tealady

I would suggest that they contact the Citizens Advice (CAB) or someone like a free debt advice service. If they are over 55 Age Concern will often give advice. They also need to check with their local Council to see if they can get housing benefit (ie help with rent and Council Tax)

Bunnie1982

I have suggested CCCS as my husband is on a debt management plan through them. I also suggested perhaps going to see the CAB but my parents are stubborn. I guess you can lead a horse to water...

tealady

If you can get then to sign a letter of authority then you can ask for help on their behalf.

krisskross

Bunnie1982 wrote: »

I have suggested CCCS as my husband is on a debt management plan through them. I also suggested perhaps going to see the CAB but my parents are stubborn. I guess you can lead a horse to water...

I think that perhaps this is because they are embarrassed at the plight they find themselves. Eventually I am sure they will realise they are unlikely to sort it out without help from the professionals. Pity they have the sleepless nights and stress now, can't be helping your Dad's health.

good luck