Someone please help

arodnap

kram wrote: »

It maybe worth looking at the sc debt remedy tool to see what options that gives you, its completely anonymous as well.

Good luck

K

Hi there I did this and it seems the best plan is to allow the bank and credit card default and seek a DMP. I'm looking into this now but it seems as I have no job/income I can't utilise one.

tallyhoh

Just wondering if you would be entitled to working tax credit and/or council tax credit? you could calculate it with this

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

mobo1980

morning Arodnap ,

My o/h is in the same situation as you , he rang the bank to discuss and if we have understood correctly the charges are going to rise again in February :mad:

we have a separate account for our bills so we are going to save the bill money in his account until needed then transfer across to save some pennies.

I hope you get some good news soon with the job hunt

Mobo xx

sourcrates

Hi again,

It seems strange the bank would close your new account without explanation, then again, banks are a law unto themselves at times.

You should be able to open a new basic account, most banks do them, although they are not readily advertised, there are no credit checks, as no borrowing is allowed, anyone can get one, but you need to search for them, Lloyd's do a good one, as do the coop, but make sure its with a bank with whom you have no debts.

So, solutions, you cant do a debt relief order as you own a property, Bankruptcy too extreme as the house would be at risk, IVA and DMP ruled out as you dont have enough disposable income.

As your income is currently limited, you should only be making token payments to everything except the council tax, that is a priority debt.

The two current accounts you could let default, ask the bank to stop interest and wind up the accounts, they will eventually be sold on, and you can tackle them at some point in the future.

i`d only be paying the credit card £1 a month as well, the offers you are currently making to them are too big, you cant afford them.

Thats how i would continue for the time being, if circumstances change in the future then you should re-evaluate your options at that point, getting rid of the council tax debt should remain number one priority for you.

arodnap

tallyhoh wrote: »

Just wondering if you would be entitled to working tax credit and/or council tax credit? you could calculate it with this...

I went through the JSA online application form on Saturday and now have another appointment with them on Thursday. I'm going to lay down my current situation as thickly as I can to see if they can help at all. Having paid more than my fair share of taxes over the years, it's not a lot to ask for some basic help so I can keep help keep our heads above water.

All I want to do is get into some sort of work that brings in a wage so I can work my way out of this hole. This is not living, it's existing on nerves and fear. I want to work. I'm desperate to work but being a 'middle-aged' man with experience seems to be a barrier to most firms. I've lost count of the jobs I've applied for.

I appreciate all the comments and am chasing down every avenue mentioned. Thank you to you all.

arodnap

patman99 wrote: »

Have you spoken to one of the debt charities such as Stepchange or Payplan with regards to a DMP yet?.

This would be worth doing. As your partner appears to be on a low wage, get him to claim WTC. As long as he is working 32 hours a week or more, he should qualify.

If you can convince your GP that you are feeling depressed, you could then put in a claim for ESA.

Hi there, thank you for your message. As I said in an earlier post, I've got an appointment on Thursday and the local JS office. I'm not holding my breath but I've filled out all of the online applications.

It's looking like without an income myself a DMP is not currently the way to go. If I can take the brunt of the hit for the bad credit, etc. and keep my other half in the clear, then at least one of us will have a chance and rebuilding their credit score for the future. Thankfully (!) most of the debt is in my name.

I might be depressed at times but I don't want to play up to something and end up claiming a benefit I'm really not entitled to when there are so many people desperately in need of that money. There again, I have neighbour that gets over £1800 month because of his 'bad back'... I just want to work and earn a wage like I have done for over 20 years.

arodnap

sourcrates wrote: »

Hi again,

It seems strange the bank would close your new account without explanation, then again, banks are a law unto themselves at times.

You should be able to open a new basic account, most banks do them, although they are not readily advertised, there are no credit checks, as no borrowing is allowed, anyone can get one, but you need to search for them, Lloyd's do a good one, as do the coop, but make sure its with a bank with whom you have no debts.

So, solutions, you cant do a debt relief order as you own a property, Bankruptcy too extreme as the house would be at risk, IVA and DMP ruled out as you dont have enough disposable income.

As your income is currently limited, you should only be making token payments to everything except the council tax, that is a priority debt.

The two current accounts you could let default, ask the bank to stop interest and wind up the accounts, they will eventually be sold on, and you can tackle them at some point in the future.

i`d only be paying the credit card £1 a month as well, the offers you are currently making to them are too big, you cant afford them.

Thats how i would continue for the time being, if circumstances change in the future then you should re-evaluate your options at that point, getting rid of the council tax debt should remain number one priority for you.

Re: the new bank account. I got no explanation at all as to why Barclays withdrew the facility.

I'm hunting this morning for somewhere, anywhere to open an account to start the default process on the main account. Lloyds is a no go as they still own HBOS. I was going to try the Post Office.

From what you've said the bank wont be able to come after the house if I default the accounts, so that seems to be the way forward. I just wish I had done it months ago instead of spending all of the money on interest and charges. I have written letters to the bank and credit card, I'll post the content later - maybe you can advise if they are 'appropriate'?

I'm making sure the CT debt is paid, which is where the money form ebaying unwanted/used items, tools, equipment, etc. has been going. I contacted them this morning and they wont accept a reduce payment of £50. So, I'll keep up with the £80 by hook or by crook.

arodnap

mobo1980 wrote: »

morning Arodnap ,

My o/h is in the same situation as you , he rang the bank to discuss and if we have understood correctly the charges are going to rise again in February :mad:

we have a separate account for our bills so we are going to save the bill money in his account until needed then transfer across to save some pennies.

I hope you get some good news soon with the job hunt

Mobo xx

Hi Mobo, thanks for your kind words. I'm sorry your o/h is in the same boat. From what sourcrates says in the post after yours, it seems like defaulting the account might be the best way to go?

patman99

Arodnap, it would be for your partner to apply for WTC, not you.

Good luck at the Jobcentre. All they are interested in are the facts.

I'm on a DMP and since being on it, have managed to open an account with Metro Bank without any hassles.

arodnap

patman99 wrote: »

Arodnap, it would be for your partner to apply for WTC, not you.

Good luck at the Jobcentre. All they are interested in are the facts.

I'm on a DMP and since being on it, have managed to open an account with Metro Bank without any hassles.

It was a joint claim we filed per the online forms.