What do I do?

HELP!_Shelagh

Hi - My Husband was about to apply for a balance transfer credit card to shift debt but had a massive heart attack last sunday. He is still in intensive care and will remain there for quite some time and will then be in hospital for several months.


I am trying to get finances under control on his behalf as he has £2K overdraft & £1700 credit card so both are costing interest. My question is:-


Can I apply for a balance transfer credit card in my name & Pay off the £1700 on the credit card he has a I am also named on it. I already have a balance transfer card myself which I am paying off.


Don't know what else to do so any advice would be appreciated...


P.S. He will be 65 in 3 weeks time & was working but will not be able to return to work even if he survives this :-(


Thanks, Shelagh

jonesMUFCforever

First of all hope he's ok.

Yes you can apply for a card in your name to pay off his card as long as they are not from the same bank.

Is he old enough for the state pension or does he have to wait until next year?
Does he have a works pension?
Go to citizen's advice and ask to speak to a benefits officer who can talk you through what you can claim for such as carer's allowance etc.

HELP!_Shelagh

Thanks for your reply...


He will get his state pension from end of December which will be about £500 a month and he does have a very small works pension as he was made redundant several years ago (twice!) & has worked for Waitrose on just over minimum wage for 5 years - that pension will only be about £20 a month.


I will try citizens advice too but thought I would ask on here as have always had good financial advice in the past, plus I am spending most of my time travelling back & forward to the hospital.


S

PeacefulWaters

HELP!_Shelagh wrote: »

Thanks for your reply...


He will get his state pension from end of December which will be about £500 a month and he does have a very small works pension as he was made redundant several years ago (twice!) & has worked for Waitrose on just over minimum wage for 5 years - that pension will only be about £20 a month.


I will try citizens advice too but thought I would ask on here as have always had good financial advice in the past, plus I am spending most of my time travelling back & forward to the hospital.


S

Does he have to take the £20 a week from Waitrose?

What about drawing it down? 25% tax free lump sum and then as a further lump sum up to his tax allowance?

[Deleted User]

I hope he's doing ok? I recently had major heart surgery and ended up in intensive care for a week, but 3 days later I was home,very few people are in hospital now for "months" he may well be transferred to a home for respite if this is needed.

HELP!_Shelagh

Hi - Thanks for your reply but I don't really understand what you mean about the £20 a week? or draw down 25% etc. Sorry but just not sure what that refers to....?


The problem I have at the moment is I have no access to his bank account yet need to pay bills etc. & he has credit card debt too. Have spoken to the bank & they have been helpful but not a lot they can do in this situation....

HELP!_Shelagh

Hi Thanks for your reply & hope you are OK now? My husband had a major heart attack & has had to be shocked 8 times so far to bring him back.... He also now has Pneumonia, kidney & liver failure + still critical on ventilator in ICU after 10 days. The doctors didn't think he would survive at all in the first 3 days and they prepared us for the worst but as he appears to have brain function still they will carry on trying unless his heart stops again. Have been told that at best he will be in hospital for a few months as will be severely disabled even if he survives.

BJV

Absolutely nothing anyone can say to make this better, so sorry and genuinely hope he pulls through. Just please remember that you still have to look after yourself. Eat, sleep, etc It sounds as though your hubby is stronger than the doctors think to have fought this far and I hope he is not going to give up yet x

HELP!_Shelagh

Thank you BJV - He is fighting & I still have faith that he will pull through..... & yes I am trying to look after myself too as know I will need strength to get through all of this as it will be a long haul. Could really do without the added stress of trying to sort finances out - between a rock & hard place it seems as everything in his name & I can't get access to it! Will just be glad to have him better though so that's my main focus at the moment.

Candyapple

Hi Shelagh,

Do you have your husband's bank card? You can pay money into the account using his details from the card (should show the sort code and account number on most cards) or you could pay cash over the counter in a branch. This may tide you over for any bills that are due to come out that you know of and prevent any bounced DD charges etc.

Do you have your own bank account?

Is it possible to contact providers (e.g. phone bill, council tax, electricity etc.) and get the bills changed over to your bank details? That way you have more control over the situation.

If you wanted to clear your husband's overdraft, you would need to be looking at a money transfer card:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/cut-loan-overdraft-costs

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your husband.

HELP!_Shelagh

Hi Candyapple - Thanks for your suggestions.


My husbands bank card is at home but I have no money to pay into the account... I do have my own bank account but I have not been able to work since June as I was also in intensive care after a complication/severe bleed following a minor operation. I have no money coming in so that is also part of the problem. Have contacted council tax, credit card company & his bank but all they can do is put a 'hold' on payments for 60 days - the debt will still be building up so future is scary at the moment.


All of this confirms that when you are made redundant the effects can go on for years.... we were always careful & did not have major debts but once you fall under the trap of low income/unexpected events/bills then it is very hard to get out...