What happens if you can't afford to pay?

exponential

backinbusiness said:

OP can you check again re Carers Allowance? It does affect some benefits but not all. Worth a double check I think. BiB x 

We've checked and my wife isn't able to claim it as it will affect her dad's benefit. Think he gets PIP but I'm not 100% sure. Either way, she can't claim it which is ridiculous really considering the amount of running around she has to do on top of everything else. 

exponential

sourcrates said:

tigergambit said:

exponential said

I remember back during the crash of 2009 where we ran into difficulties which ultimately led to declaring bankruptcy, we took calls from the banks and debt collectors where we were literally shouted at over the phone by these people. They screamed at us over the phone for getting into difficulties and basically took the mickey out of us laughing at our poor fortune etc etc. It was a horrific experience that I'll never forget.

Fortunately, they can't act this way anymore. Thank god.

It is good that they can't act this way any more but we must remember that leopards don't change their spots and they're still the same horrid people underneath.

The FCA clamped down on two of the worst offenders, suspended their licences, fined them heavily, ordered them to undertake a root and branch re-organisation of their business affairs, which included some staff being sacked, others re-trained, a complete change of management, and a re-branding of their company names.

That sent a message to the rest to "put their own houses in order" before they too were subject to the same stringent enforcement actions.

Seems to have worked to some extent.

I'll say! The difference between then and now is staggering. These letters I'm receiving are almost like they're begging me to get in touch with hardly a threat being forwarded. There is mention of them checking my credit files and seeking a CCJ but it is worded in such a way as to suggest it's a last resort. 

I just have to put together a letter now to send out them.

Flugelhorn

exponential said:

backinbusiness said:

OP can you check again re Carers Allowance? It does affect some benefits but not all. Worth a double check I think. BiB x 

We've checked and my wife isn't able to claim it as it will affect her dad's benefit. Think he gets PIP but I'm not 100% sure. Either way, she can't claim it which is ridiculous really considering the amount of running around she has to do on top of everything else. 

if he is getting PIP then she can get carer's allowance https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility - unless someone else is already getting it 

exponential

Flugelhorn said:

exponential said:

backinbusiness said:

OP can you check again re Carers Allowance? It does affect some benefits but not all. Worth a double check I think. BiB x 

We've checked and my wife isn't able to claim it as it will affect her dad's benefit. Think he gets PIP but I'm not 100% sure. Either way, she can't claim it which is ridiculous really considering the amount of running around she has to do on top of everything else. 

if he is getting PIP then she can get carer's allowance https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility - unless someone else is already getting it 

Hi. Like I said, I don't know the in's-and-out's of it all to be honest. Unless he gets two different forms of benefit maybe whereby if the wife claims carers allowance, he loses one of the other benefits? I would have to ask a few questions about it and see where it leads.....

ManyWays

CarersUK says "If the person you care for receives a severe disability premium paid with any of their means-tested benefits (such as income-related ESA or an extra amount for severe disability paid with Pension Credit), this will stop when you claim Carer’s Allowance."

This is because that money is to pay for care, so really he should be using it to help her out with the extra costs.

exponential

ManyWays said:

CarersUK says "If the person you care for receives a severe disability premium paid with any of their means-tested benefits (such as income-related ESA or an extra amount for severe disability paid with Pension Credit), this will stop when you claim Carer’s Allowance."

This is because that money is to pay for care, so really he should be using it to help her out with the extra costs.

That must be it then. I know there's a reason but I don't know the specifics.
He certainly helps out financially so there's no worries on that front.
Whether or not it's a fair amount is a debate for another time....LOL

exponential

Morning chaps. Can I ask if anybody can provide a link to a suitable letter template I can use to contact these DPC's. I have searched online but can't seem to find anything that suits my particular circumstances.

I want to get this template letter correct as it need to repeat the same letter 9 times so the wording has to be spot on.

I'm basically telling them that, at present, I am not in a position to make any payments towards these debts.

sourcrates

exponential said:

Morning chaps. Can I ask if anybody can provide a link to a suitable letter template I can use to contact these DPC's. I have searched online but can't seem to find anything that suits my particular circumstances.

I want to get this template letter correct as it need to repeat the same letter 9 times so the wording has to be spot on.

I'm basically telling them that, at present, I am not in a position to make any payments towards these debts.

National Debtline has a vast array of template letters for most debt issues, this is the link you are after:

National Debtline | Sample letters | Reconsider my token offer | National Debtline

exponential

@sourcrates Thanks, I saw this but didn't think it applied to me. I'll adapt the letter to suit my needs. Thanks again.

exponential

Does this read ok guys? If it does, I will use this as a template for all other debts.
Any changes you guys feel are necessary then please feel free to tell me. 

There is a small section on the next page that states that if my financial circumstances change in the near future, you (Lowell) will be informed immediately with a view to setting up an affordable payment plan.