When things hit rock bottom the only answer is to fight the way back up...

Eager_Elephant

Hiddenidenity wrote: »

Just to make my day better had the mid year review for the rent arrears, because they don't take any of the debt to 'people' into account things are even tighter than tight

Ever wonder what the point is and feel like you just want to give up?

I don't understand what you mean buy a mid year review for rent arrears - you are under a court order so as long as you pay the rent + the agreed amount they just can't increase it.

I know you fell behind earlier this year with the court order but are you all caught up now?

If you don't know then you just need to find the letter you had from court which would tell you the rent arrears on the day the order was set and then from that figure deduct the amount of weeks since the order x the agreed amount and then ask the rent department for your current balance and you will be able to work out whether you are behind on the order.

I am concerned that your financial statement does not allow for everything it should - is this the same financial statement you did with rent today?

You haven't included water ( I know you are in credit but you need to allow for this), clothes, food should be at least £30 per adult and £25 per child under 14.
You also should take an average of DH's wages rather than tell them what he should earn.

I bet your bottom dollar that if other bills go up rent will not be decreasing your payments.

Eager_Elephant

Toni'sfriend wrote: »

Not helpful at all. Not telling you anything that you didn't already know. Can I suggest that when you get back you make an urgent appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau. You don't have enough money to feed your family and need somebody to negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. Try as hard as you might you really do need professional help to sort this out.

I think CAB will tell hidden the same too be honest.

I would say similar if she was my client - pay your priority and forget about friends and family although I know it is not as simple as that.

The debts hidden has are not really negotiable:

Rent - has to pay weekly rent + court order (not what the rent department demand unless of course hidden is in breach of her court order and then I think she should pay a bit more to bring her court order in line)

Ctax - if hidden's council want the debt cleared by March 2018 then she has to pay it otherwise she may incur more costs if they take her to court or instruct bailiffs.

Elec/Gas - hidden already negotiated with them and has applied to the Trust Fund.

Fines - you pay what they want otherwise they send the debt to bailiffs which means more costs or they attach to wages (if her DH's) and that can be a huge amount.

Suffolk_lass

Please check this out https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/disability-living-allowance-dla

Toni'sfriend

Thanks EE. I just thought that as she has so little to feed her family on they might be able to help.

Eager_Elephant

Toni'sfriend wrote: »

Thanks EE. I just thought that as she has so little to feed her family on they might be able to help.

The problem is (as hidden says) that on paper they look to have loads of money but her financial statement does not account for the money her OH has for himself and his smoking etc.

I think we need to get creative to help hidden with her financial statement so that the above is taken care of but not so obviously.

Plus of course rents don't care about family so they will see that as £50 more that she has for food hence we need to get creative and 'hide' this expenditure within the financial statement.

Eager_Elephant

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

Please check this out https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/disability-living-allowance-dla

I believe hidden has already rung for the form - I can't recall if she has received it yet but her consultant has agreed to complete the section that a medical person can complete so fingers crossed this would get awarded.

Toni'sfriend

I see what you mean, So basically if he needs to take some responsibility.

Hiddenidenity

The court order was set at rent + £12.50 today they've asked for rent + £45 I said I couldn't agree to that and I will pay that why I'm seeking advice. I will speak to homeless welfare when I get home. Well next week.

Council tax won't budge at all on the repayment. I haven't actually attended court for that but it does include some court costs. So I don't want to break the agreement too much and bailiffs turn up.

The debt advice place is run by the local council. On their SOA disregarding the family/friends and they worked out the average of OH wage from 3 months wage slips (which I tried to explain aren't realistic going forward because it was quite a lot more before April he didn't pay Tax or into a pension. Plus he had alot of overtime/bonus and holidays he hadn't taken) this along with leaving the £70 a week to friends and family out means we can 'live' and pay priority debts at a reasonable rate.

DLA form hadn't arrived when I come away. I will check when I get home and open the post tomorrow.

Yes OH is still smoking/going out etc. No he won't consider stopping even when I showed it was food or his spends

He knows I'll find a way to manage, but its getting to the point there is no ways to manage anymore.

mummytogirls

Keep going HI, you've come too far to be giving up now xx

ada-or-ardor

I really don't know what to say from a practical point of view, but I hope and believe that you can achieve something. However, your OH's attitude makes me so sad. I wish he could have an ounce of the concern you have for your family's welfare. Xx