No job in two weeks - even with benefits still going to be well short of income

paulamomof5

Got mortgage, quite a few credit card (albeit 0%) debts and loans.....

Even with minimum credit card payments, going to be £500 a week short.

Obviously, hoping to get a job but the date is rapidly approaching. :-(

If I were to speak to the lenders, typically what would the offer?
Part of the problem is its 4/5 credit cards, 3 loans so a few organisations to speak to.

fatbelly

£500 a week? That's a big shortfall. Good that you're claiming benefits. Did you remember to claim council tax support from your council as well?

Council tax and mortgage are the priorities here. Ask for a mortgage holiday due to temporary difficulties.

As for the non-priorities, I'd fire off a load of letters rather than waste time on the phone. Word it according to your own circumstances but there is a template here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/sample-letters-to-creditors/Holding-letter/

No-one's going to do anything for 3 months, except mark your file with late payments - after that you may get defaults.

Obviously mortgage and council tax are the biggest concerns

EssexHebridean

First up good luck with the job hunting! 

Second - may be worth you putting together your SOA (Statement of affairs) and we can have a look and see if we can suggest anywhere in your budget that you may be able to trim - it's easy to miss some "easy win" savings yourself, especially when you're already stressed!

fatbelly

For instance, council tax - a lot of people pay by the standard ten instalments. By this time of the year, six payments have been made, meaning that the remaining 40% can be spread out over the remaining 6 months if you contact the council - dropping your monthly payments by a third - possibly more than this if you can add council tax support, single person discount and exceptional hardship payments (check your council's website) into the mix

paulamomof5

Thought I wouldnt get any council tax discount because partner is working?

EssexHebridean

I think because you didn't mention your partner in your opening post people have assumed you're on your own. The good news is that at least you have another income to help with the priority stuff though! I'd suggest your priority here is to make sure that you will be able to cover those priorities - one that is done see how much may be left for token payments to the rest.  

fatbelly

paulamomof5 said:

Thought I wouldnt get any council tax discount because partner is working?

Your title says 'No job in two weeks - even with benefits still going to be well short of income'

I'm not sure what benefits you're on but if you qualify for a means tested benefit then council tax support is one of them.