What should I do????

When_the_going_gets_tough

Op I think you want to be careful offering this much towards your creditors. Once on esa your income will be very limited. Are you getting help with your mortgage? I would be tempted to visit the cab to make sure your benefits are maximised and to consider the long term approach to your debts. Good luck

sourcrates

Hi OP,

How old are your credit card accounts ?

When where they opened roughly ?

As your only income is benefits, you should not be prioritising these unsecured debts over your essential payments, I would suggest you only pay token payments of £1 per creditor, per month for now.

Are you able to pay your mortgage ok ?

If this long term illness is going to stop you from working, and your situation is unlikely to change, I would concider writing to all your creditors, explaining your medical condition, and how it effects your finances, and asking them to concider writeing off the debts, as its EXTREAMLY unlikely you will ever be able to repay them.

National Debtline have a range of template letters available here :

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/sampleletters/Pages/Write-off-the-debt-%28sole-name%29.aspx

Of course they may choose not to do so, but you should definatly try.

LoonyTunes_2

Hi thanks so much for your replies and advice. In answer to your questions yes I am getting some assistance £88 per month to help pay the mortgage which is paid up to date as are all other utilities bills etc. I haven't got the paperwork from when I took the credit cards out but I think debt one is older than six years(I have paid off about £3000 on this), debt two about four years and debt three three years (these are all estimates). The illness is ME so who knows if I will recover enough to get another job.. Going to CAB is a good idea to check if I am getting all the benefits I am entitled to.

When_the_going_gets_tough

Lt. sour rates has given you some good advice here -whilst you are ill trying to pay off your unsecured debts is not really sustainable and token offers may well be the way forward for you. I woul recommend good face to face advice as your circumstances will become less easy when benefits for your child cease.

LoonyTunes_2

Thanks for your good advice when the going gets, I think seeing someone at CAB is the sensible option as I can manage now but things will really change when son leaves college and all child related benefits stop.