Trying to make sense of it all

Deva2005

Dear all

Firstly, I need to apologise from a previous thread and posts on here, at the time of making these I was not at all well and the medication I was starting was not making me act rationally. If I caused any general offence or upset anyone, I am truly sorry and hope that I can move forward on here and find some genuine advice and support.

For over eight years now I have been suffering from some mental health problems ( anxiety and depression ) and this has have a marked effect on the family and my ability to manage my money properly. My GP has just completed a Mental Health and finances declaration for me in respect of this.

As my medication is working better for me I have been able to concentrate a little more (this was a symptom of my illness-severe lack of being able to concentrate) and try and get my head around the appalling mess of my finances.
I am trying to prepare everything ahead of a phone call with StepChange which will happen next week.

I have a couple of questions and wonder if someone might be able to help me?

I have been written to by HMRC kindly informing me I owe them a large amount of underpaid tax, does this count as a priority debt, likewise does a DWP overpayment also count as priority?

I am having all my utility bills deducted from my benefits to ensure they are paid and am just about managing.

Currently, I have shocked myself by pulling out my papers and discovering my actual total debt is almost £29,000

I really don't know where to even start with all this lot, there is gas, electricity, council tax and water amongst this lot.

It scares me, but I need to try and get a grip on it and am looking for any advice or guidance available.

Thanks for listening and I hope someone might be there to reach out to.

Many thanks
David

Karonher

Hi David, some of the debts are priority. Without knowing which country you are in I cant be sure of the main ones. This link should show you for certain.

https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/dealing-with-debt-problems/what-debts-to-pay-first.aspx

fatbelly

HMRC income tax is regarded as a priority as they can use bailiffs without a court order.

DWP overpayments are not regarded as priority.

david - is there any reason you can't go bankrupt and give yourself a fresh start?

P.S. I contributed to several of your old threads and was never once offended.

sourcrates

I have to say i`m with Fatbelly on this one.

When you have numerous debts to many creditors, things can get confusing, going bankrupt would take away all the worry in an instant, i believe most of your current debts can be included in a bankruptcy.

Add this to your ongoing health problems, and it makes quite a lot of sense as a way forward, that is unless there is some reason why Bankruptcy would not be an option for you ?