Loss of income due to bereavement and outstanding credit card bill

Old_Grey_Mare

Keep_pedalling said:

Old_Grey_Mare said:

Keep_pedalling said:

Really sorry you find yourself in the horrible position. Is your home mortgaged?

Thank you. No it isn’t mortgaged.

That is good, I thought it might be as you said you would have to sell it. 

I haven’t worked since I was 52. I’m now 64 so have two years to wait for my pension. Downsizing would free up some capital for me to live on in the meantime.

Old_Grey_Mare

Brie said:

So sorry for your loss.  It must be a big shock even if it was anticipated for any reason.  

Just to add to what the others have said - focus on your priority payments which are those that keep you in your house and warm and fed and watered.  

If you have no income at all are there any benefits you can apply for?  You can do a preliminary check on "entitled to" and then check further with citizen's advice for more input.  
Benefits Calculator - entitledto - independent | accurate | reliable

Don't forget that his debts aren't your debts.  If there are any credit cards in his name you might contact the bereavement teams for those and advise them he has died.  Do be sure that you cancel any DDs or standing orders that he may have had in place so you get the best use of your money.  Any joint accounts are now yours and presumably the house is now going to be 100% yours as well instead of being something part of his estate.

Once things become a bit more stable (say a couple of months?) why not come back here and post a statement of accounts (SOA - look on one of the top stickies) and we'll see if we can help you squeeze any pennies in your budget. 

Thank you. He died suddenly which is a huge shock. I’m not entitled to any benefits apart from bereavement support allowance and council tax discount.

my husband didn’t have any debts or credit cards. He had a business account with a couple of standing orders to charity so I’ll have to visit the bank to close his account.

Grumpelstiltskin

Please don't rush into selling your house, it is always said to wait 1 year after being widowed before doing something as drastic as selling your house.

EssexHebridean

Oh goodness I am so sorry for your situation, the shock alone must be beyond belief never mind the financial aspects. 

Others have already given you all the right advice - I’ll just add take things a day at a time and do what you need to do in the moment - there are no rules and no “right way” to grieve. 

ManyWays

I’m not entitled to any benefits apart from bereavement support allowance and council tax discount.
If you have no income and under 16k in savings, I am not sure why you aren't entitled to universal credit and council tax support, talk to your local Citizens Advice. 

KxMx

ManyWays said:

I’m not entitled to any benefits apart from bereavement support allowance and council tax discount.
If you have no income and under 16k in savings, I am not sure why you aren't entitled to universal credit and council tax support, talk to your local Citizens Advice. 

Any award will be reduced by savings over 6k, and the pension income of £250pm when that happens.
The standard allowance is quite low, so there might not be any entitlement after deductions but it's always worth checking 

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators