Consequences of cancer and self employment

simonj12

I'm self employed and my wife has just been diagnosed with cancer. This is in addition to her recovering from 2 broken legs and ankles from an accident just over 3 months ago (I know, it never rains...and all that). Its the very early stages of finding out so we are yet to know exactly how serious it is and what effect it will have on our day to day lives. We have mortgage, credit cards, overdrafts, loan, hp on 2 vehicles (1 work, 1 private) as well as business expenses, an upcoming tax bill and other usual stuff like utilities, council tax, etc.
I currently work 60-70 hours per week subcontracting to a parcel delivery company who like to indemnify costs against subcontractors who cannot fulfil the agreed workload. This means it ends up costing me money to have time off on top of no income.
If I need to stop or reduce working to become a carer (which hopefully will not be necessary) then what options are available to me? Obviously I'd like to keep my home and not be declared BR but I appreciate this may not be possible. I'd like to think all my creditors and the taxman would give me repayment holidays for the duration of any periods without income caused by this.
Any advice would be welcome.

[Deleted User]

Hello,

You are both having a really rough time of it aren't you?

Have you been in touch with a Macmillian Nurse? They will be able to help with advice and guidance not just with treatment for your wife, but also with help for benefits etc (for example you should be able to get a cold weather payment for this winter).

Also, ask friends and family for help. It is at a time like this when you need help from others to pitch in, perhaps cooking a few meals, or driving your wife to hospital.

Best of luck to both of you

cynicalgit_2

Sorry too for your situation at the moment.
Your first priority obviously is your wife.
Concentrate on the secured debt, mortgage then council tax the others will have to wait.
If you're not bothered about future credit then most creditors can put you on an arrangement.
Past experience has shown me that HMRC can be fairly sympathetic in these situations.
If you post up a SOA people better qualified than me can offer some useful advice.

woodforthetrees

Spider_In_The_Bath wrote: »

Hello,

You are both having a really rough time of it aren't you?

Have you been in touch with a Macmillian Nurse? They will be able to help with advice and guidance not just with treatment for your wife, but also with help for benefits etc (for example you should be able to get a cold weather payment for this winter).

Also, ask friends and family for help. It is at a time like this when you need help from others to pitch in, perhaps cooking a few meals, or driving your wife to hospital.

Best of luck to both of you

I agree, the Macmillan nurses that my mum dealt with were completely up to date with the financial side of things, and had some great advice.
Use everything and everyone you can x This is definitely the right time to let people help you.

Mojisola

Also try posting on the Families Board - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24 -
where you'll find people who will share how they coped in similar circumstances and the Benefits Board - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139 -
where there are people who know their way round the benefits maze.