Help we're sinking....fast

egc1952 · 15 January 2008 at 3:51PM

I really don't know where to start, sorry to sound so vague. I have been married to my husband for over 20 yrs and have always been left flabbergasted at his attitude towards money. To cut an extremely long story short, he has many credit cards that he has had difficulty paying off for years.
In December he was taken to hospital and has only just returned home having nearly died on several occasions. He is still very unwell.

I have had to take a break from work temporarily and am off sick with Sickness Benefit of about £72 pw. While he was in hospital I have had constant calls from credit companies asking to speak to him and refusing to disclose or discuss details with me.

Do you know if and whether there is a good company or organisation that will claim back charges and interest on the credit cards? Can you claim on credit cards??

Is there a way of stopping further interest from being added?

Can anyone advise on disability/carers/housing/income support etc.

How do I get the credit companies to deal with me rather than him from now on?

We live in a bungalow that is rented at £650 a month. He has no income and mine is very limited now. I was struggling anyway to cover everything but now I don't know where to start.

He keeps telling me to be calm and not panic but it is precisely that reason that we are in this situation now. We have not been receiving any kind of financial support at all until I got this sickness pay.

Any help gratefully received.
Thanks

mummytofour · 15 January 2008 at 3:59PM

Hi,
First off go to https://www.entitledto.co.uk and see if what you can claim. You maybe able to claim DLA for your husband or incopasity benefit. After you have sorted out your income and also spoked to the council to see f you can get help with your rent via housing benefit you need to call the CCCS and ask for an app with a debt counciler , they will help you will all your incomeisng and out goings, they will also contact all your creditors on your behalf and negotiate new payments, this service is free.