Feeling helpless - mental health, redundancy, physical health

Clara555

Thank you @fatbelly @Floss @MrRichTea @enthusiasticsaver @sourcrates @YBR @EssexHebridean you have made me feel better and that I have a plan. Good to know that some of you have been successful. I felt so bad yesterday - it had felt like a lecture. So thank you for giving me some hope.

EssexHebridean

Where speaking on the phone is needed, it should be possible in most cases for you to only speak long enough to authorise someone - for example your husband - to speak on your behalf, that should make life easier. Alternatively, ask what steps the organisation concerned would take to make things accessible for someone who had no speech at all - and then tell them they need to do that for you. These days, using words like "accessible" and "inclusive" can be great door-openers - particularly if you are suggesting that an organisation is not being those things. 

As said above though - when it comes to the companies that the debts are with, just tell them everything in writing, and that they are not permitted to contact you by telephone. 

It's really vital that you get the benefits thing sorted - not least as presumably at the moment your NI stamp is not being paid?

fatbelly

Some basic familiarity with FCA Consumer Duty is likely to put the fear of God into them!

PS Getting benefits sorted is more important than worrying about nonpriority debt

Clara555

Thank you @fatbelly and @EssexHebridean yes I haven't claimed for anything as just felt overwhelmed by all the steps and who to speak to etc. I will pursue and good idea about asking someone else to speak on my behalf. Can I ask is there any particular language or words I should use in the write off letter, I was using the national debtline template and sent that to virgin. Also if I have written to them should be by post? I sent the Virgin one by email. As so many confidential documents attached. I found it really difficult to find the people to write to. I need to chase down best contacts for Halifax and Barclaycard now as well. I haven't received a reply to virgin when I asked them to clarify their email. How can I ensure they have received it and I have fulfilled my part? Sorry so many questions! Many thanks all again. 

peb

If you need assistance on the benefits side do post on the benefits board.  They are really helpful - they will recommend you get advice to complete the pip documents though.

Clara555

Sorry to ask again but has anyone else had massive problems trying to get hold of the relevant department to actually send over the letters, DMHEF etc? Virgin haven't replied to my question about how much I am supposed to be paying per month for example. Halifax and Barclaycard won't provide me with email addresses. Did you write letters? I didn't want to do this because so much confidential medical info in the post. It is stressing me out so much I can't think straight. Due to my vocal problems talking on the phone is so difficult. 

Floss

I sent my write-off requests in writing to the creditors / DCAs. They all asked for further information to back up my requests and I sent redacted copies of my consultant letters to my GP. It took about 3 months from first letter to agreement/ refusal.

theoretica

Clara555 said:

Virgin haven't replied to my question about how much I am supposed to be paying per month for example. 

They are probably realistic - you have told them you can't afford to pay them, so they don't actually expect anything more than a token payment from you.  So they haven't bothered to make up an imaginary figure for you to not pay.  Maybe in a while they will agree to write it off.

Clara555

Floss said:

I sent my write-off requests in writing to the creditors / DCAs. They all asked for further information to back up my requests and I sent redacted copies of my consultant letters to my GP. It took about 3 months from first letter to agreement/ refusal.

How did you find the address? I have managed to get the special Halifax one now but need to get the Barclaycard one. It is really affecting my mental health them not replying because I am a worrier and I need to know where I stand in life no matter how dire. 

Floss

I wrote to the addresses I had been given when my accounts went into arrears & default. Who is it you are trying to deal with?