Hello! First ever post, please please help

taxi73

Hi and welcome...I was just going to post the same as above actually...you're benefits are definitely not right..if you click on the link for entitled to and just put the figures in..it will do no harm...you can't possibly be expected to live on that amount of money...good luck

desperate84

Thanks everyone

The benefits, I forgot to add income support to that which only works out as £14 a week because of the maintanence I get for my son.

Tax credits, I have asked them time and time again if that is all I should get and apparently it is correct

Have used that entitled to website before, it is good

Housing benefit and council tax, they overpaid me so are clawing that back which is making the situation even harder :-(

And have applied for surestart grant

So is payplan or CCCS a good thing to do for me in your opinion??

desperate84

Also meant to say, my food budget includes nappys and formula milk, so there is no way I can lower that

completelyspent

desperate84 wrote: »

Also meant to say, my food budget includes nappys and formula milk, so there is no way I can lower that

Are you entitled to milk vouchers for your baby? I'm no expert but I heard of someone who is in receipt of benefits getting something like £7 a week milk vouchers?? Don't know if anyone can confirm this.

rbm1_2

Go for either payplan or cccs - I've just started with cccs - I've got depression as well - see a gp. I found that with cccs I can just tell creditors - go to cccs and stop hassling me. Yes your credit rating will be damaged- but what's the choice? getting borrowing for an asset such as a house will be easier than getting a good rating for a mobile phone for example I would have thought. When your earning improve with cccs you can pay back more - good luck

desperate84

Hiya, yeah get milk vouchers which are £2.80 per week

If they took me to court and I got a CCJ does that mean that shows on a CRB check or am I barking up the wrong tree?:D

desperate84

sorry me again!!

Re. my credit rating being damaged,...that is fully repairable isn't it over time?

In_Search_Of_Me

Youre much better off to speak to CCCS etc NOW rather than wait until you do get CCJ's against you. CRB check is for criminal records and some applications will ask if you have had CCJ's etc on loan applications etc. I'm not sure re the CRB but know that it can affect some jobs...can you explain why you need to know so we can make informed comments?
I know it is really hard for you right now but be assured that people here wil support where they can. Many of us are in debt and help each other and understand how hard it is! Hope things improve for you soon; keep posting & big hug for you!

Buffythedebtslayer

I think if you phoned the oU they could lower your payment to them?

Good luck xx

mrsspendalot

definitely check with the ou - on your income you will qualify for full funding. phone them and tell them your circumstances have changed and you believe you are entitled to full funding. they will be able to backdate it and effectively cancel out your payments through your OUSBA account if that is how you are paying your fees. You will also get £250 grant and can apply to their access to learning fund for additional costs. i get internet costs, tutorial travel costs, ink cartridges, setbooks and all sorts paid for. PM me if you want more details but phone them asap - the sooner you tell them, the sooner they can reassess you and you can cancel your payment to them