Need some urgent advice for my aunty please

scw1

Hi all,

Havent posted for a while so hope your all doing well.

Right, my aunty threatened to kill herself yesterday (had the pills all out ready to take) but was stopped by my sister due to her debt. I think it was a cry for help. One good thing is it resulted in her telling her husband about the debt she was trying to deal with in secret.

Basically I think she owes about £4,000 between bank loan, overdraft and credit cards. My sister is going there today to open all her unopened mail and make a list of everything she owes. She doesnt work on medical grounds (she had a stroke this time last year and has a few internal problems) however she has said she will look for a part time job in the new year. Her husband is self employed as a labourer but work is thin on the ground especially in this weather. He is looking for alternative permenant work but it will take time. The only income they have when he is not working is her widows pension which is about £150 a month. They live in a council house and I believe the rent and council tax is covered by the council. They have applied for some benefits, although I am not sure what, but the first time they were turned down and now they are appealling but its taking time.

However, they still have the electric, water, gas to pay. She has cancelled the phone as they have a pay as you go mobile which they can use. They have also cancelled sky.

I will try and do a full list of everything they owe later but as she is out of work, she cannot apply for a different credit card/bank loan to move debts about.

Can you offer any suggestions/advice? Would payplan or csss (I think its called) help her as she is not working?

Thanks very much and sorry its such a ramble!

earwig

hi just a quick reply tell your aunt to make payments of one pound then phone the cccs or payplan who will advice you on what to do next also take your aunt to the doctor and ask for her mental state to be assesed you are proberly right the suicde bid was a cry for help but best to let the dotors decide thats all it was hope it all gose well

Karmacat

Hi scw

Well, you're not rambling, thats for sure! I don't know much, I'm afraid - I worry that not many others do either, as you've had quite a few views but no replies yet.

I'm sorry you're having such problems as a family. In relation to the debt, it sounds like you've taken all the right steps. I think one person you certainly need to call for help is your aunt's GP. As an outsider, that would seem to me that it would help payplan or cccs to get on board - otherwise they might think of it as quite a small debt, but of course its not small in relation to the effect its having on her.

Best of luck - I hope someone can come up with something for you, and don't forget to post on here the results of what your sister's doing today with your aunt's bills.

All the best.

scw1

Thanks both. I have spoken to my sister and she will ask her to go to the GP although I dont know if she will because she doesnt like people outside of the family knowing her problems and she is ashamed to be honest. Although we will try!!

Does anyone have the details of payplan and cccs so that I can pass them onto her to ring? (Actually I will do a search now)

pania

Hey there sweetie, big hugs to you and what a predicament for the family and auntie to be in.

firstly i'd definately second the advice regarding the gp above. your aunt has all the support in the world from family it would seem but she may also require some support from within to help her see the wood for the trees as it were.

Write a letter to the creditors and advise them of the current situation regarding your aunts health and problems with employment etc. Offer them a token payment of £1 per month and request that they freeze all interest and charges, someone will be along soon with some template letters for you i hope.

Also when your aunt feels up to it. point her in the direction of this board.
Many people when dealing with debt crisis feel so completely alone. this board will show her that there are other people going through the same thing and this will hopefully make her feel less alone/helpless/desperate.

Is there anything your aunt has that can be ebayed? how about uncle looking for permanent work with a contractor? can you get quidcoing like crazy to get some money together for aunt? look at things like renewing their contents insurance, car insurance etc and do the click throughs for some money to help out.

Good luck and hugs for being such a kind niece.xxx

fsdss

i'm sorry that your aunt has got to this point of desperation.obviously first things first, she needs to see the GP - everything else can wait for the moment - her health is more important.
you could perhaps book an appointment with the CAB, for help in working something out. they are good at negotiating repayments etc.
another thought- you stated that your Aunt had a stroke over a year ago and has been unable to work - it might be worth while looking through each agreement and checking to see if there is any payment protection?

pania

at the top,under your username is a list of connections. go to non profit debt councellors list and it is all listed there. xx

tigerfeet2006

There you go in my sig.

(((HUGS))) to you all

scw1

Thanks very much everyone. Will try and get her an appointment for the GP asap.

I am away working at the moment so feel a bit isolated and unable to help!

I will try and find a template letter to read to my sister over the phone (they dont have access to the internet) for her to send to the creditors.

Thanks again everyone really appreciate it!

My aunty is very technophobic so wouldnt come on here I am afraid.

No car so no car insurance. Will have a look at the contents insurance etc and also if there is anything she can sell.

fermi

National Debtline provides a self help factsheet/pack for people who can only afford minimal payments. It includes some sample letters that you might be able to adapt.

Here: http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/review_pack.php?page=for_people_who_have_no_available_income_to_pay_creditors

A suggested initial one often is:

***********************************

1 High Street,
Newtown,
Kent
R21 4RH
December 10, 2007
The Loan Company

Company House,
Church Street,
Newtown,
Kent,
R1 7HG

Dear Sir/Madam

Re Account No/Reference No:- 4563210025897412

Since making that above agreement with you, our circumstances have changed.

We cannot now afford to agreed monthly payments because ... [your paragraph added here]

We enclose a Personal Budget sheet which shows our total income from all sources, and the total outgoings of our household. As you can see we have no money left to make offers of payment to my creditors.

In view of our circumstances, would you please accept no payment at present to be reviewed in six months. If interest or other charges are being added to the account, we would be grateful if you would freeze these so our debt does not increase.

Should my circumstances improve we will contact you again.
Thank you for your assistance. We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully






A N Other

********************************************


The above can be adapted if they are able to make small rather than no payments.

painted_lady

Aw, thinking of you all.
No further advice other than that alreadfy offerred, sounds like your doing the right things.