No Way Out, Please Help!

khalid302

floss2 wrote: »

You make be able to appeal for a backdate of Council tax & Housing benefits to when your SSp started, 7 weeks ago. Apply & then if they say no, sak to appeal - it's a quite an easy process, and you may get more money.

Have you asked the council if they can swap you to a smaller property more suited to a single person - bear in mind that a 3-bed house will be sought after & they may be happy to do it.

Swapping would be my very last resort, I have spent a lot of money on the house and this is where my children were born so I don't want to lose it, but ofcourse if I have to rather than be made homeless then I would do it gladly. I have asked for it to be back dated from when I started SSP.

khalid302

My family are quite aware of the situation and have really helped out a lot, more than they could of done. But there isnt anything else that they could do..my sisters feed me so I dont go hungry!

Seaxwyn

Hang on in there Khalid. It sounds as if you are doing the right things to sort the situation out. It's good to know that your sisters are feeding you.

Youre obviously at a low point too with lots of worries but things can only get better. It would be sad fto lose your house but it's far more important for your children to have a dad who is well and happy so try not to let the worries stress you out too much.

RAS

Khalid

Starting points

If the house is in your name, they have to go through formal procedures to remove you. If you explain the circumstances (particularly that you thought the rent was being paid) and make an effort to pay off the debt, however slowly, you have a good chance of keeping the house.The size of the house is not a direct issue.

However, you may find that the rent is more than you can afford on benefits.

If you can clear the debts, you may be able to negoitiate a house swap; I would be surprised if the council would not agree to you moving somewhere smaller.

In the mean-time, if you are not going back to work soon, can you get advice from CAB about the relative merits of trying to kep the house on your own or getting in a lodger to help pay the rent?

The other thing I would strongly advise, if you have not done so already, is to go to the bank and advise them what has heppened and tell them that all further transactions on th account have to be joint signatories. That will stop your ex running up any more debts on the account.

For your own purposes you need another account. The basic ones below can be set up really quickly and do not need a credit.
check http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=474254

That will also enable you to keep cntrol of your debt payments.

Whilst you are on benefits try to pay £1 a mont to each of your creditors as that shows good faith. They may phone to ask for more but they will accept it in the long run.

Bestthingsinlifearefree

Hi Khalid,

Sound like you are going through a real rough patch at the moment with the marriage split, illness etc Try to keep some perspective, though times are stormy and turbulent at the moment blue skies will return. Just try and take small positive steps forward, take one day at a time and look after your health.

Remember you are a father to two fantastic kids and I am sure you want to do your best for them. I bet they think the world of you and will want to see their dad back to his smiling self as soon as possible. Things might seem tough at the moment but there is always a way forward. Keep exploring all your options and making infomred decisions. Sounds like you have some good family and friends, don't be shy to ask for their continued support that's what they are there for, there are times when we all go through tough spellls and need to lean on others. Being able to ask for help when you need it is a sign of strength.

Keep posting.

I wish you well.

Best,

Penny2myName

khalid302 wrote: »

Hi all,




Sky-£134 debt
Friends and Family £4000 debt
Gas Bill- £400 When it comes to the crunch apply for a meter with debt added on.
Elec- £350 same as above
Water - £500 (call them and ask for a new payment plan, explain situration)
T mobile £150 Stop using this and if contract try and get it to lowest tarrif possible
Council Tax- £400 (call them explain and make mininum payments)
BT- £350 (thats one hell of a bill)
Littlewoods -£ 300 Call them, explain situatation and ask for reduced payments (they did this for me no problems)

I am aware that this is not the correct was to do a SOA but I can only list my debts as I have not been paid any SSP yet. Hope that makes sense.

I am employed however for the last 7 weeks I have not been able to attend work due to sickness and am on a sick note, my illness is under investiagtion. I am on ssp but did not get any funds this months as they over paid me last month. I have poor credit, am not aware of any companies who could offer me a loan to pay it off. I really dont know where to start. Please advise.

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place.

Many thanks

All these companies will listen, you just need to explain you are having major finaical difficulties and would like to make some kind of payment plan YOU can afford to pay. Let them know what you are able to pay.

tallyhoh

As already stated put in a claim for backdated housing/council tax benefit if you have not already done so.

Are they trying to get possession of the house because it is too large for your needs or because of rent arrears?

A backdated claim for rent may slow the possession process down and give you room to breathe.

If they are saying the house is too large for you ask them to show you in the conditions of tenancy exactly where it says just that. If it is proved, try and negotiate a move to a smaller property without them having to resort to court and costing them money. Speak to a Councillor about your position, they will generally be on your side.

Good Luck.

khalid302

RAS wrote: »

However, you may find that the rent is more than you can afford on benefits.

If you can clear the debts, you may be able to negoitiate a house swap; I would be surprised if the council would not agree to you moving somewhere smaller.

In the mean-time, if you are not going back to work soon, can you get advice from CAB about the relative merits of trying to kep the house on your own or getting in a lodger to help pay the rent?

The other thing I would strongly advise, if you have not done so already, is to go to the bank and advise them what has heppened and tell them that all further transactions on th account have to be joint signatories. That will stop your ex running up any more debts on the account.

For your own purposes you need another account. The basic ones below can be set up really quickly and do not need a credit.
check http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=474254

That will also enable you to keep cntrol of your debt payments.

Whilst you are on benefits try to pay £1 a mont to each of your creditors as that shows good faith. They may phone to ask for more but they will accept it in the long run.

Many thanks to all of you for all your advice, Its made me a feel a lot better so thank you very very much.

I have contacted the bank when we split and have arranged for what would of been my salary to be paid into another account. However as I fell ill only my ssp will be paid into there. I will go to CAB tomorrow and also contact all ultities companies and advise them of my situation. I also find out the results of my neurology tests tomorrow so fingers crossed I get good answers everywhere. I have been also looking into getting a loan to pay off all my debts, however after reading some reviews about yesloans i think they are called, I have been put off because they are a broker and don't assure you of a actual loan. Is there any companies that would provide a loan for someone with poor (its not that bad) credit so I could consolidate all my debt? Is that a good idea, I think I would find it much easier to pay one person and be clear of debt with my friends and family. I know a few of my friends are eager for their money back but are finding it difficult to ask me because they are fully aware of whats happening. It just makes me feel really bad around them and I don't wish to take advantage of their good nature and kindness.

My plan god willing is to get a loan, pay off rent arrears, apply for backdating housing, pay off all friends and family, plus all other debt, get a negative in my results, return to work and pay of the loan. Not too much to ask is it!

Thanks again, you guys have overwhelmed me.

lynzpower

the thing is with the majority of these debts ( eg, counci tax, utilities, freinds & family) you are not currently paying interest on them. Getting a consolidation loan would mean adding that interest, costing you LOTS more over the long run. Additionally, I dont think you have the income to actually pay the loan given your low pay/ income. I would NOT advise a consolidation loan for you.

hypno06

Hi there, although consolidating all the bits and pieces onto a loan seems the easy option, it will end up costing you more in the long run and could end up being very much the wrong thing to do.

Talk to all the people you owe money to. Enlist the help of the CAB or National Debtline, or CCCS when you speak to them. You should be able to negotiate payment plans that are right for your current circumstances, and as long as you can prove that you are being reasonable, my understanding is that the courts would likely go in your favour.

You will get through this, and you can be proud of the positive steps you are taking to get yourself out of this muddle.

Stay strong, and keep posting - the support on these boards is invaluable!