Long Term Disabled - Any way I can still get credit?

4in4

Hello,

I've been in the ESA Support Group and been in receipt of PIP Enhanced rates for just under a year now.

My condition means that I'm unable to work, therefore I'm declined for all credit applications or credit limit increases just because I have to put "Unemployed" on the application - the applications normally suggest that I should reapply when my circumstances change, ie. I get a job. I'm not going to be able to work again for a number of years or perhaps permanently however.

I have a "perfect" credit rating according to Experian, as I manage a small amount of credit I have access to due to having applied for it back when I was in full time employment. I have no debt at all, I use my credit card for purchases and pay it off in full at the end of the month.

I want to make a purchase for something that would help in my rehabilitation, which was suggested by my consultant. However I only manage to save about £100-£200 at the end of each month and I'm a bit stuck because I need to start making moves to aid in my rehabilitation if I ever want to get better, but at this rate I'm going to have to wait 9 months to a year just to be able to afford it, I'm looking at about an £1800 purchase.

Being able to pay it off in instalments would make the purchase far more manageable to me and I'd be able to focus on getting better right now. You get the idea; I need credit but I can't get it because I'm "Unemployed" and that automatically indicates to the credit check that I have no stable income when in fact I do.

Is there any way I can get help/credit for something like this? Surely there's some sort of allowance somewhere for people who are unemployed but not jobseeking and who still have regular income? I see other options on these forms but they're all a bit nonspecific - who qualifies as a "Homemaker" etc.?

I'm a bit stuck and I'd really like to start making progress with my condition so I can start leading a proper life again; I'm a young person who wants to go back into work/education but I can't afford the tools that will help me do it more easily. Any suggestions?

DomRavioli

What is it exactly that you are wanting to buy?

Are you under social services for anything?

pmlindyloo

DomRavioli wrote: »

What is it exactly that you are wanting to buy?

Are you under social services for anything?

Do tell us what you need as we may be able to suggest alternatives to obtaining credit e.g. grants

KxMx

You can get credit when on disability benefits: I've two cards with 1000 limits.

One lender had "disabled" as an application option, and my application was successful after a manual approval. For the other I checked with the company concerned beforehand. The answer was "unemployed" was the correct box in my circumstances.

However. You need to fully research everything before applying and weigh up the likelihood of being accepted. For example look at the minimum income threshold. Every application leaves a mark on your credit file; you could be getting rejections due to excess applications in a short amount of time.

Cards that will accept you are sub prime and will have little (or more likely) no interest free period. They will also have high interest rates.

So I'm not sure unless you are confident in being able to afford repayment that credit cards are the best solution.

Any chance you could approach your bank for a personal loan? They might offer a better rate of interest and can see your income and how well you manage that income.

Savvy_Sue

Credit Union?