Don’t know where to start

Molly_Moodle

Hi all I’m new today. I’m really desperate for advice please, the local CAB have closed in my town and I don’t know where else to go.

I’ve had a card pushed through the door from Orbit debt collections for an unpaid united utilities bill from last year. I know I owe this money I’m not disputing it and if I had the money available I’d pay it straight away - but I just can’t straight away in one go - and I don’t even know exactly how much I owe.

I’ve had a horrendous 2 years struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts - every day has been a battle. My partner works but I wasn’t working or claiming any benefits at all (other than child benefit 20 per week) I was just at home on my own for two years. I was in a hole worrying about life and debts and obviously this was making the situation worse because more debt was building up whilst I was like this. I went to my doctors for advice but was just put on antidepressants which didn’t really solve the problem.

My partner lost his job at Christmas and I think we totally hit rock bottom. I couldn’t live like that anymore and something clicked and and I just went out and got a job in a call centre. It’s changed my life because I’m now getting out of the house and I’ve been feeling so much better. My partner got a job at the end of February and this week is the first week we actually get two paysslips for both of us working which hasn’t happened in over two years.

I feel like I’ve got so many debts though to try and pay - and I feel totally overwhelmed now. This card through the door has started me feeling like I can’t cope again. I’ve had thoughts of calling in sick tommorow and obviously I don’t want to start the spiral back downwards. I just don’t know what to do.

Has anyone been in a similar position? I’m 7 years cancer free and that’s when the depression started. I just can’t live like this anymore.

Should I phone this orbit bailiff - he’s left his number - or call united utilities?

I would welcome any advice please x

sourcrates

Hi,

Orbit debt collectors are just that, debt collectors, nothing special, they are not bailiffs, very important distinction.

They specialize in collection of old water debts, and are based at Malton, just up the road from me, never ring a debt collector, i am assuming from your post you have a lot of debts to service, if that is the case, i would recommend you contact one of the free debt charities and seek some guidance on how to approach this.

It can be solved very easily by arranging to pay a small monthly payment to each creditor, in line with your budget, this is called a debt management plan, and is becoming a very common thing these days.

Stepchange will help you to organize this, if is the right solution for you, but you should contact them first and tell them your situation.

As a first step to putting orbit in there place, go to there website, take down there address, note the reference number on the card they left, write a short letter to them stating you are seeking help from stepchange with your debts and will be in touch in due course.

By doing this, they will put your account on hold, so no collection activity, for at least 30 days.

Molly_Moodle

Thank you so much sourcrates, honestly it means so much that!!!8217;s someone!!!8217;s replied to me. I!!!8217;m going to try and contact step change now.

National_Debtline

Hi Molly


There's some good advice above from sourcrates. I would second the suggestion of getting in touch with one of the free debt advice agencies so you can talk through your whole situation. There will be options. And it's quite right that you can ask for the water debt to be put on hold for 30 days, you may want to use this sample letter https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/sampleletters/Pages/Hold-action-on-your-account-%28sole-name%29.aspx.


It's important to know you are not alone, you'll get some great support from the forum, and you will find people who have been through similar things.


Susie
@natdebtline

January2015

Molly_Moodle wrote: »

Thank you so much sourcrates, honestly it means so much that!!!8217;s someone!!!8217;s replied to me. I!!!8217;m going to try and contact step change now.

You can also complete the Stepchange online debt remedy tool. That will generate possible debt management solutions for you.

sourcrates

Do not be bullied, or put off by these companies, debt collectors have no more power than next doors cat, so if they make demands of you, simply say no, what can they do ?

Do not make any arrangements to pay any unsecured debt until you have spoken to stepchange about your situation as a whole.

hysteria1989

Cant offer to much advices as its not really my field but i didnt want to read & run. What i will say tho is dont be afraid to talk to the companies and step change i buried my head in the sand for ages and let the debt climb & climb & climb due to a mixture of being scares and ashamed contacting the people i owed is one og the best things ive ever done and honestly they where all so much more understanding and cooperative then i ever thought they would be.
dont give up dont give in you will get it sorted and you will feel incredible when you do

Unicorn_cottage

Hi Molly

Just wanted to say well done to you and your partner for finding employment The advice above is brilliant. Please don't feel afraid to take the first step of dealing with your financial issues - you will feel so much better!

Good luck and please do keep us updated with your progress.

Unicorn

Onebrokelady

Molly_Moodle wrote: »

Hi all I’m new today. I’m really desperate for advice please, the local CAB have closed in my town and I don’t know where else to go.

I’ve had a card pushed through the door from Orbit debt collections for an unpaid united utilities bill from last year. I know I owe this money I’m not disputing it and if I had the money available I’d pay it straight away - but I just can’t straight away in one go - and I don’t even know exactly how much I owe.

I’ve had a horrendous 2 years struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts - every day has been a battle. My partner works but I wasn’t working or claiming any benefits at all (other than child benefit 20 per week) I was just at home on my own for two years. I was in a hole worrying about life and debts and obviously this was making the situation worse because more debt was building up whilst I was like this. I went to my doctors for advice but was just put on antidepressants which didn’t really solve the problem.

My partner lost his job at Christmas and I think we totally hit rock bottom. I couldn’t live like that anymore and something clicked and and I just went out and got a job in a call centre. It’s changed my life because I’m now getting out of the house and I’ve been feeling so much better. My partner got a job at the end of February and this week is the first week we actually get two paysslips for both of us working which hasn’t happened in over two years.

I feel like I’ve got so many debts though to try and pay - and I feel totally overwhelmed now. This card through the door has started me feeling like I can’t cope again. I’ve had thoughts of calling in sick tommorow and obviously I don’t want to start the spiral back downwards. I just don’t know what to do.

Has anyone been in a similar position? I’m 7 years cancer free and that’s when the depression started. I just can’t live like this anymore.

Should I phone this orbit bailiff - he’s left his number - or call united utilities?

I would welcome any advice please x

Hi I just wanted to let you know that I have just started Debt management plan with Stepchange and it is the best thing I have ever done,I phoned them when I realised I was in trouble and they were really helpful, good luck

enthusiasticsaver

I agree that contacting stepchange to start with is a good idea. Collect as much information as you can about the debts you have. Let stepchange deal with the creditors if you are feeling overwhelmed.