Our Soa - help please we’re struggling

Dom135246

Thank you theoretica, that sounds reassuring, to hear.

Most have temporarily frozen interest during the payment holiday because I couldn’t pay anything in June, some have the holiday for one month and others have given until autumn but then I have to contact them again as soon as circumstances improve and I think interest will resume again. 

shell16

Hi there. 

You have some good comments here from some very knowledgeable people.

I just wanted to let you know of a really good site/app called Too good to go. Just search Too Good to Go. Its reduced cost of a bag of food from your local shops that are too good to go into waste. They can include dairy, meats and vegetables.  

Hope this helps in some way to reducing your grocery costs.

Shell

arnoldy

The dogs/pets have to go, if you can arrange for them to go to a new home. They are costing you money you can't afford and there is a possibility (hopefully not probability) that as they get older the bills and expenses will ratchet up. This is likely to be hard but it needs to be done, and may well end up being a weight off your mind.

Dom135246

Thank you Shell I took your advice and found some great deals and managed to get some deli stuff, fruit and different breads for bargains prices, about £12 worth for just £3 and lasted a few days.

The grocery budget savings has worked very well this month too, and meal planning so pleased with that long term even when things improve we’ll continue with it.

Our dog is a big part of the family we’ve had him since a pup he’s definitely staying, Not sure if that’s when I got that lightbulb moment reading that or was just shocked at the thought of giving him up.

We own our property, I would consider selling it to raise the money to pay the debts or even take out equity, what I don’t want is to not be able to afford vet bills and lose our boy and then eventually lose our home anyway, if I can sort it now I would if that’s what’s needed all round.

I didn’t expect to be in this position and was worried about losing our home but I’m more worried about losing our dog, I know he’s only a dog but he gives us something to strive for, he gets us out and about and when things are going well actually saves us money because its free to go for a walk and take packed lunch gets us out for same cost as eating at home, he just makes life enjoyable for us. We already got rid of the car, we don’t drink or smoke and don’t think he costs much more than it does to run a car we’ve just had some bad luck recently. It’s not his fault I just can’t do that.

Sometimes I read in posts that having a house with equity can make debt more problematic. If I am on payment suspension temporarily maybe 6 months to a year and then offer payment is our home at risk?

Can we be forced to give our dog up?

I did try the PDSA but because he is currently healthy they can’t take us on, so the insurance is so important as part of the budget, it’s the most sensible option plus saving a vet fund and emergency fund. 

I think I’m just struggling to process at the moment, it all goes round and round

Thank you for reading

TheAble

I wouldn't worry about giving your dog up, nobody would seriously expect you to do that. I thought the previous poster was a bit crass tbh.

RAS

Well done on the grocery shopping and if you keep going at it, it'll make a difference to you budget and perk up your eating. Tuck that in aside some basics like pasta and you might stretch it further?

As for the dog, he's one of the family and obviously a great source of comfort and motivation, as well as a drain on finances. At least you know PDSA might help if he's unwell.

Dom135246

Thank you @TheAble   And @RAS

That’s reassuring to hear he’s always previously been healthy so hopefully he’ll continue to be in good health again, now the issue has been sorted out by the vet.

PurpleMouse5

I think you need to go and speak to a benefits specialist at somewhere like citizens advice.

It might be worth applying for PIP. Everyone I know who's got it has had to go to appeal. But that's about the DWP's poor decision making process rather than about your eligibility -  most people I know who appealed were successful. A benefits adviser could give you a realistic idea of your chances and what the process involves so you and your wife can make a decision about if it's worth the stress.

I'm not an expert but I can't see why you wouldn't be entitled to any universal credit. When I work it out based on the income taper, I think you would get about £126 a month (and so you should stay on tax credits as long as you can). Are you including the equity in your house as an asset in the eligibility calculator? Because it should be excluded. Other than that I can't see why but I might be missing something. I think it's worth checking with a specialist.

They might also be able to refer you for additional support eg a social supermarket for reduced cost food if there's one in your area.

Dom135246

Thanks PurpleMouse, I don’t think the UC eligibility checkers asked us about equity from what I remember, I used two different ones but I don’t think I added equity, they asked if we own it outright and we do but they don’t ask about the value. Sounds like Citizens Advice would help with that and PIP. Thanks for working it out with the income taper.

I’ve just checked we have a social supermarket, so that’s an idea too. 

MovingForwards

@Dom135246 equity in the home you own / live in isn't taken into account for benefit calculations as it's not available to you unless you sell up and don't buy somewhere else or do some form of equity release.

Entitled to asks whether you own, rent, council tenant etc and whether you want help with the interest or service charges (factor fees up here).