Dont know where to start :(

TREASURE

Hi all im new but in major need of some debt busting tips .

I lost my job at the end of last year and around the same time my partner found out he needed a opp and would no longer be able to do his job.

We lived for a month or so by selling junk on ebay and any money we had in our accounts. Then we found out that we may be able to claim some benefits , After a month of being pushed from piller to post we were told we couldnt claim cos my partner was still at his job even tho he wasn't working or even able to work.

Then at this point ( about a week b4 xmas ) it was beond a joke we had nothing and even paying for school dinners was getting a joke. So i ranted on and then at last they told us we were able to claim and it was all there fault that they had got it all wrong .

So fewwwwwwww at last money on its way -

BUT to claim they need the ins out outs of the cats **** that includes pay slips . My partners work wouldnt send them or see him if he went to collect them as they are keeping away as he got hurt at work , hence why he needs a opp , so they are running scared. By this point we had had no income but £72 per week for the last 20ish weeks and no bills had been paid .

So now im in £10000 worth of debt about to get my home taken away and as a family we are still only getting £72 per week .

So what do i do ? how do you even start when your income is so low ?

We will in the end get some kind of benefit but when we do it wont be much , so whats the best thing to start paying off ? & how do i stop everything i have from slipping away because lack of funds .

I cant even put into words how ill this is making me .

Any help please anyone .

xxx

Merlot

Welcome to the board.

In the first instance I would recommend you speak to CCCS, they are a debt charity who will be able to help you. http://www.cccs.co.uk/

Have you taken the advice of the CAB regarding your low income, does this include all benefits. child benefits etc if entitled.

Are you behind with your mortgage payments/rent? if so, how much?

I noticed that you have posted on another board tonight about the bank allowing your DD through etc, and the fact you have gone overdrawn, have you spoken to your bank today?

With £72 pound a week, its going to be difficult to advise you, I really think as a matter of urgency you should contact the CAB and CCCS tomorrow.

Sorry I can't be of more help,

Merlot

TREASURE

You were help and thank you i will ring them first thing .

Im in £1300 debt with my Rent - some will be paid off with benefit once it kicks in .

I did call the bank today . I still have to pay the charges and my account will still be maxed out and im being charged £12.50 per day because of it . But i have no way of paying it to stop more charges .
All they would to was stop my debit card .

TREASURE

Bump . sorry peeps but cos i posted this at 2am ish this morning it was on the 3rd page . & i really needs some help

Thanks all

Merlot

Good morning Treasure,

If I am truly honest, I think the main reason why you are not getting much feedback from others is that you simply, (through no fault of your own), do not have the income to live on day to day, never mind repaying the debts.

I hope I have not offended you by saying that, but you are in need of urgent and professional advice from a debt charity and the CAB.

Merlot.x.

I urge you and I can't say it loud enough, please please ring the CAB and CCCS this morning, they will be able to advise you.

rayday2

It is against the law for the company to withold payslips, so if this is still an issue write a letter saying what you want in order to claim benefits so you can live.

I know on a different issue the tax office were not happy that the company I worked for were not helping me and threatened to intervene, yours is slightly different but as an employee you are entitled to copies of payslips you coudl take issue with the CAB too - in fact they would be able to help with lots of things concerning your case.

CAB can also tackle debts so maybe instead of ringing one of the other debt charities you may feel like visiting your local CAB - entirely your choice!

You need to offer any non essential debts like cards etc a pound a month do this in writing and explain your extreme circumstances.

Your priorities that you must pay by law are tv licence and council tax. Seeing as you are renting chances are you could get your council tax paid but do not be laid back about this speak to the council and explain your situation and see what there advice is, tell them you intend to seek further help with CAB so they can see how committed you are.

You also need to keep a good communication open with whoever you pay your rent to, too. Pretty much the same line of communication as the council tax people.

Communication is the one thing that makes companies co-operate better but please write to debt companies and keep copies they are much more co-operative by letter than phone!

embarrassed_about_my_debt

Im not one for the whole where there is blame there is a claim culture but in your circumstances it would be worth looking at claiming against his old employers as this by the sounds of it is there fault and they have insurance for this sort of thing.. I no it wont sort anything short term but may help in the long run.

TREASURE

Errrm we could take them to court BUT he still needs that job - once his opp is done and he is back on his feet he will have to go back.

Catch 22

Its strange to see you all saying GET HELP NOW ive wasted so many tears had so many sleepless nights but at the same time wondering if it was really that bad , cos lets face it who aint in debt .

But its out of hand now and i need to sort things , Now im really stressing about my council tax cos they went to court without me last year and i have that to pay some of the year b4 to pay and now this year . There is no way i can cope with the min paymant they would be willing to take on a debt that huge. Im scared to call them and talk about it because its all quite at the mo, no letters no nothing ... but if i call them will it stir it all up again ???

I really do think that will tip me over the edge if i honest im nit sure how much more i can take

rayday2

I didn't mean to take them to court, write to them to get payslips and take it further if they ignore it and sort out your finances first. Once he is better you have 3 or 5 years I think to claim but if its a bad injury you will not see money for years, you need to get your benefits sorted first!

GeorgeUK

Might also be worthwhile making a statement of affairs (SOA). CCCS or payplan or CAB will probably need you to do one - just showing your income and outgoings so that they can advise you on how to deal with your creditors.

TREASURE

Im shocked at how helpful you all are and thank you ! every single person has made me feel a little lighter and less stressed today .