Half way through Dmp but losing the will to live!

Wirbs

I shop at the cheapest shops but the boys eat the world. The electricity bill is horrendous. I have electric heaters in the rooms so in the winter the cost is astronomical. Saying that even with them on my visitors keep their coats on. I'm also on a prepay smart meter as years ago the fella who read the meter did it wrong, I was refunded £900, spent it and then they told me he'd read it wrong, yes it not your fault but you need to pay it back. It's a lot more expensive but I like the fact that there are no nasty surprises.

Willing2Learn

With your £900 bill on the electric meter, are you aware that your supplier can’t seek additional payment for unbilled energy used more than 12 months prior to an error being detected and a corrected bill being issued?

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-backbilling-guide-your-rights

Wirbs

I paid it back ages ago

beanielou

I don't think it should matter who the childcare are paid to as you still pay them.

gwynlas

I'm back having seen your responses. I think you should either look at bancruptcy including the consequences of difficulties in the future or go self managing on your unsecured debts.
Someones already suggested the £1 per debt for a while in order to build up money to secure your home. Your family health and well being, including your own, should be your first priority,
It is time that to are able to stop worrying about servicing debts otherwise you are going to become ill. Christmas is coming start saving soon and it could be a good one.
Once you have sorted out your priorities you can restart paying debts at an amount you can realistically manage perhaps £10 per month,
It will go down albeit slowly but you and your family will be much better off physically and mentally.
Yes you built up the debt but you can pay it down but not at such a price on your family life.

Grumpelstiltskin

OP You need to sit down and think seriously about your and your children's future.

You are at the moment acting like a scared rabbit, thousands of people in this country are in debt they don't act like you are, but you need to and you can take control of your future.

You say the only houses you could rent are not what you want but then you say your neighbours are making your life hell, you have to make your mind up what is the best for you and your children.


Nothing terrible will happen if you pay nothing on your DMP for months, OK agree £1 monthly to the debts if you want but if you do decide to go bankrupt that is just throwing good money after bad.

Spend the next few days thinking hard, unsecured debts are right at the bottom of the pile until you realise you can be in control.

A_A_Mole

Wirbs wrote: »

This is an issue. I've been looking at rentals and they've all said that you need to pass a credit check. If I'd done it before the DMP I'd have been ok. I'm finding that I was misinformed-well there was one woman who told me the truth but because she was one out of about 8 I didn't listen.
I'm not being a snob about the houses available. They're in very dangerous areas and with 3 boys I'd rather sit freezing than risk their safety. I've registered with the housing association in the hope they can help me.
I'm also concerned because if I were to go bankrupt I would be paying for 3 years. The DMP is quite generous with what they let you budget (although with 3 growing boys and a dilapidated house it's not enough) and flexible. Bankruptcy isn't. It's a lot to think about.

Yes, we rent privately, through estate agents.

Whenever we move, we have to do a credit check.

In fact, when you phone up about a property, the first thing they ask is if you have any CCJs etc.

I'd love to go bankrupt but as we rent and have kids, I can't take the risk that the landlord might ask us to move, and then we can't rent anywhere due to the bad credit.

If you don't have kids, you can risk it, I think, as you could move into somewhere not so great that takes desperate people with bad credit.

Some people say try and find a property that's rented directly by the landlord. But if time is of the issue, then that isn't going to be possible.

Good luck!

Wirbs

Sorry if I sound like a ‘scared rabbit’ grumpelstitskin. It’s one of the after effects of leaving an abusive relationship. It’s called ptsd. I’m sure there are lots of people in debt who aren’t acting like me but I’m sure there are lots that are and for the same reason. I used to be confident and decisive but years of having my confidence eroded by regular abuse did away with that.I’m trying my best to sort things out. The fact that the debts will fall back on him is a consideration as I’m worried it’ll prompt him to try to kill me again.
With having the kids I do have to think very carefully. There are so many unknowns with bankruptcy. I’ve got someone from the union coming round in the next few days so I’ll see what he says. I’ve applied to the housing Associations and I’ve put the feelers out to see if anyone is renting out. It might be better for me to try to lower my payments for a bit and reassess. Thanks for taking the time to respond. .

Grumpelstiltskin

OP Have you read this guide?

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/money-issues/#1463741896102-8d409218-942f

If the debt does revert to him, only debts with his name on can go back to him then it will be months or years down the line. That gives you time to get yourself in a better place, you do realise that he is winning by having you in this position.


If you have any contact from him that you are unhappy with you must contact the police straight away.


Please learn to take control of your situation, only then you can rebuild your life.

tlc678910

Hi OP,
I've tried having a Google re: getting your boiler fixed.
Take a look at:
https://www.choose.co.uk/guide/grants-for-energy-bill-debts.html

This paragraph makes me think it is worth you looking into:

"Further Assistance Payments!are made to people who demonstrate an exceptional need for help and can cover a range of expenses such as funeral costs, phone or other utility bill arrears, essential household items and in exceptional cases council tax or rent arrears.

Each case is looked at in detail on an individual basis and it is important to note that an energy or utility debt isn't necessary to get help under FAP, applicants just need to show that they are in financial hardship."

It doesn't look like you have to be on a low income to make an application. (Income criteria seems to relate to the energy tariff plan to me) There is advice 're making a claim at the bottom. Having reads it I would say tell them everything and provide what evidence you have e.g. domestic violence, DMP, your family circumstances, the problem of no boiler and the effect it is having on your and the boys lives and health, your utility bills and the effect in your electric costs.

I hope you have some luck with this. You deserve some x