Struggling with ADHD and sorting debt

jessaw

Hi guys!

So this is my first proper post and I wanted to ask for your advice if I may. I have a condition called Adhd as well as dyspraxia and aspergers. I also have a lot of debt due to my impulsive nature and my penchant for doing things without thinking them through properly. I can't use the phone comfortably so my only avenue is the Internet to help me with the debt problem.

I have swept these debts under the carpet as well as adding a few more to the bag in the last few years. I'm now desperate to sort the debts so I can save for a mortgage. Because of my adhd I find it very difficult to sit down for long enough to sort everything out. I have thrown out most of the mail (and moved house a few times) so I have NO idea who I owe money to or how much. I suck at filling forms and just thinking about opening mail and sticking to a repayment plan is making me exhausted.

I have been on all the credit check sites and written down who is on them but it isn't showing all the other smaller debts. How do I find out about these? I'm completely at a loss as to where to start.

I'm on a mega low income so I don't know where I'm even going to get the money to pay these debts back...

Can anyone help? I'm so stuck guys

National_Debtline

Hi

Well done on taking the first step of posting here to seek advice. If you find it too much to deal with everything at once it’s often best to take things one step at a time.

Checking your credit reference files was a good place to start . Make sure you’ve checked Experian, Equifax and Call Credit to get the full picture. If you know you still have some debts which aren’t showing on any of those three credit reports it may be that it’s a type of debt which doesn’t show on a credit report such as council tax or some utility bills, or it may be that you defaulted over six years ago and the debt has dropped off your file completely.

If you haven’t paid or acknowledged a debt in writing for at least six years and if you don’t have a court judgement it will be statute barred and unenforceable in court. Basically you wouldn’t have to pay any debts like that.

It might be difficult to find information on debts which aren’t on your credit file. All I can really suggest is contacting any creditors you think you had debts with, or waiting to see if you’re contacted by any debt collectors.

In terms of options for dealing with your debts it really depends on your circumstances and debts. Ideally you would contact a free debt advice agency such as ourselves so we can ask more questions and get the full picture. As you find telephone calls difficult you could try the webchat service on our website.

www.nationaldebtline.org

James
@natdebtline

LJB290

How about making an appointment to see someone at CAB? Can you take a family member or friend who can be your second paid of ears?

Just sharing your situation with another person might help and you don't have to do everything all at once - just a few minutes each time to get yourself organised. They can also help with the form filling if its something you struggle with.

Not sure I'd go chasing to find out where the debts lie though (they will find you in the long run). maybe just deal with the ones you are aware of at the moment?

[Deleted User]

More importantly - apply for all the benefits you can if you are on a mega low income.

With all the dreams in the world, mortgages are now based upon affordability, more then ever before, so you probably might be best coming to terms it isn't going to happen for a while or without more serious help to obtain homeownership status as low income suddenly doesn't become disregarded, asking for credit nowadays generally means you can expect to be met with "you must be in debt" in a more serious organisation such as a bank or financial institution. From a decline for a v small overdraft recently but I came away vowing I'll start my claim to working tax credits alright!! (really suggest you do the same if not already)

It helps when you have a credit file that is trashed as you stop thinking about it when you can't change it, this has also worked for me at times being a deep and sometimes irrational thinker.

jessaw

I'm in touch with step change but the physical act of getting paperwork together and phoning people is really making me anxious. I have 0 organisational skills and they say the only way they can help is if I know everything about my debts (and I know nothing about them lol). Is there a type of person who will get all that information together for me? Step change suggested a DRO but I'm super reluctant to go down that route.

I know getting a mortgage probably won't be possible now but hopefully I will have passed my degree in 3 years and be in a much better place financially.

I went to the CAB and because I'm up to date with all my priority bills they weren't able to offer me an appointment with a debt advisor.

Thank you for suggestions so far everyone

jessaw

I'm claiming the benefits I'm able to as well

National_Debtline

It sounds like you need a face to face case work adviser to help you so it’s a shame the CAB can’t give you an appointment.

You could search on this website to check whether there are any other local advice agencies who might be able to help you deal with debts.

www.adviceuk.org.uk/find-a-member/#map_top


James
@natdebtline

LJB290

Do you have a family member or friend that can help with the "getting stuff together" part as well as help with completing forms or making an initial telephone call for you?
Maybe they can phone on your behalf before handing the phone to you to explain further - would that relieve the anxiety a bit?

Explaining your situation as well as your aspergers and ADHD might help the organisation to put you in touch with someone on a face to face basis which may be more comfortable for you????