Unable to pay the bills, what happens next?

Protocol45

Sorry if this is in the wrong place..

As a sort of follow up to a previous thread, I'm asking for some advice.
Since being out of work for about 3 months now, going is very tough. Barely enough money to even eat, let alone pay the bills. I've contacted companies I owe, electric bill etc and tried to sort out some help. But here is my question, it is getting to the point where I can't pay the bill at all. It is either eat or pay my mobile bill.
What would happen realistically if I phoned these companies and explained this and pretty much said "It's either you or food in my families stomach and I choose them".
I don't expect to get away with what I owe, but in the case of a mobile contract, It costs them nothing to cancel the account since I have paid for the phone about 5 times over.

Sorry if I don't make much sense or be more rational, but current financial issues and even possible eviction have pushed me to the edge. I rang Three and after an hour of discussion they knocked £3 off my bill, but charged me a £10 admin fee to do it..:mad:

Any help or advice is appreciated as always.

help4help2013

you might be best going for pay as you go if its a monthly contract you as you need the money more for food than your mobile phone but they might might charge you again for cancelling the contract

these companies dont usually have sympathy for people in this kind of situation there usually all about making money

have you contacted your local food banks they might be able to give you some extra help

are you getting any benefits at the moment?

pmlindyloo

When you are in this kind of situation you need to look at the whole picture rather than individual problems.

You need to maximise your income (including benefits) and look at ways to reduce your expenditure.

The Debtfree forum is probably the best place to go for help with this.

Without knowing your full circumstances it is difficult to advise further but please seek some help from the Debtfree forum (not just about debts) and/or CAB.

Charityworker

You obviously need to cut down your outgoings as much as possible. So only putting heating on when really cold but not before putting a jumper on. Switching lights off, only watch tv when theres a programme you really want to watch. Switch to pay as you go if you can on your phone. Food shop in poundland and the value brands in the supermarkets.

Other families are in the same boat as you and they still manage to make ends meet with a bit of effort.

You could try the food banks but, I dont know if they are all the same, but the one in this area only lets you have 3 a year.

When_the_going_gets_tough

Op read up about priority and non priority debts then put things like your rent first. Consumer credit goes at the bottom of the list. Visit the National debtline website and have a good read so you can see how to prioritise things - and you can seek debt advice from an advice service.

whodathunkit

Eating or paying your mobile bill doesn't seem a difficult choice to make.

uknick

OP, +1 to go and see the Citizens Advice Bureau. They have trained advisors who will not preach and have no agenda other than to help you.

Most areas are also running budgeting workshops to help people a) prioritise their debts and b) start to create a budget to live on. I've given a number now and they seem to have been well received.

newbutold

What phone have you got and how long is left on your contract? Would selling your phone cover the cost of cancelling your contract?

rds60h

Protocol45, as someone else said it's not just the mobile phone option, which really requires you to end the contract and get yourself a Pay As You Go.
First of all you need to find out if you are getting the correct benefits that you are entitled to, so go to http://www.turn2us.org.uk/default.aspx where you need to do the Benefits Check to confirm that you are getting what you should, they also have a Grant Search that may help you find a Grant that you may be entitled to that could help out.
Most Utility companies run schemes to help those on limited income so that they are on the cheapest rates and they all also have Energy Funds and Charity Grants for those already in debt with their Power Bills, I know that you contact N Power on 01733421060 and British Gas here http://www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/ but all the companies have this.
All the Water Companies also run similar funds and if you are metered they can offer you a average area set rate rather than having to pay the metered amount, useful if you have children.
If you are unable to replace your mobile then you could switch to a landline with BT who offer the BT Basic Scheme where the line rental is £5.10 a month (£15.30 a quarter including a £4.50 call allowance).
People have said about Food Banks, but you have to be referred to them so they are not as straight forward as some seem to think, but you could ask your Local JobCentrePlus to recommend you or perhaps the local CAB.
Personally that is one of the few times I would approach CAB because the majority of advisers are volunteers and really don't know much more than many of those they advise...............Don't get me wrong I am sure they are a great help to some but they would not be my first port of call.
I don't know if you are buying or renting your property but you really MUST contact either your Mortgage Company or your Landlord and explain your situation. Mortgage Companies tend not to offer too much help so it may be worth taking a written offer of what you can afford to pay and tell them that is what you are going to pay rather than asking them if you can pay such and such and also inform the Council so that you can get help with your rates.
If you are renting you should be entitled to Housing Benefit so again either contact the Council if they are your Landlord or DWP to get the benefit sorted.
I hope this helps you, and all I would say is keep on going and keep asking until you get what you are entitled to. You will come up against some right a**holes but there are also some others that are only too glad to help out so hopefully you will encounter more of the latter.
Good Luck.
If you are in rented propert

ArtoDeeto

Protocol45 wrote: »

It is either eat or pay my mobile bill.

Are you seriously saying starve to death or have a mobile phone???? That sounds sad to me...

sniggings

ArtoDeeto wrote: »

Are you seriously saying starve to death or have a mobile phone???? That sounds sad to me...

errr no, he's saying he has a mobile phone contract from when he was working, now he is unemployed can not afford it but they still want paying, so he's asking what his options are.

and using the example he can either buy food or pay the mobile but not both, so is asking for some suggestions...do you also need to be told to put one foot in front of the other when walking or can you work that out yourself