Mobile Phone Contracts - Please Help.

Boppy_2

I have had to give up work due to my mental health which is really bad at the moment my OH has just moved in (beginning of April) to look after me and our LO, we have had to go on benefits whilst i am so ill because i can't work and OH feels he needs to be here to look after us both which i can understand. The thing is i have 2 mobile phone contracts and he has 1 which we just can't afford to pay, his he uses all the time but since i haven't been working mine is never even on, i just don't know what to do about paying them. Has anyone got any advice please?

We've spoken about it and we will keep paying his because otherwise my landline will have to be used and the bills will be huge, his is £30 a month, the 2 of mine together are £57.

poorandindenial

Hi Boppy

Sorry to hear that you are going through a rough patch and hope you start to feel better soon.

In the first instance you can try calling the company and seeing if they will let you out of the contract if you explain your situation, if you can get just one of the companies to let you out of the contract you will be better off. If that fails you might want to see if they will downgrade your contract.

Let us have a bit more info about all three contracts (companies and amounts) as you may be able to ditch your OH's and keep yours for him to use and there may have been people who can advise on what seems to work with the different companies.

Boppy_2

Thank you very much for replying, i do appreciate it.

2 of the contracts are with Orange (1 is mine and the other is OH) i must also state they are all in my name. The 2 contracts get 900 minutes and unlimited text for £27 a month, although my OH's is usually £30 because of occasional picture messages. The other contract is with O2 and has 400 minutes and 500 text a month for £30.

There's about a year left on them all

Pinkylouloubell

Hi there,

I remeber a few years ago when I was in a mobile contract, I got pregneant and went onto Job Seekers allowance and I phoned up the mobile company and explained my situation and because I was on benefits, they cancelled the contract.
I did have to send them written proof of my benefits.

I think it was Cellnet who I was with a the time.

good Luck.

jmhgibson123

hi unfortunalty with mobile contracts they very rarely let you off early but the problem you have is if you dont pay them they cut you off, send a few threatening letters then send it to the recovery department. this is not that bad as once it gets to that point you may be able to negotiate some form of small payment to clear off the balance-which will im afraid include the line rental that you should pay for the whole remaining year and with that it will be quite a high amount. and you will not be able to get another phone on contract- maybe you could sell a phone on ebay if its worth something then its a bit towards it-but i've not heard of a phone company that wont charge you to end your contract early
good luck

poorandindenial

I think it is well worth a call to them to see if they will cancel or reduce the contracts. Give it a go and see how you get on, and then come and let us know how you get on. No joy and some bright spark will have other handy suggestions for you, if you manage to get something agreed then other people will be able to use that information in future.

Good luck with it, I look forward to hearing how you get on. Fingers crossed.

SuzySu

Like you I am unable to pay my mobile bill at this time - not because I am ill, but because there are other bills that are far more urgent. I am also with O2 and my tariff is £20 per month. I have called them and tried to explain that I'm not ignoring them or trying to wriggle out of paying, I just haven't got the money.

The best they could do was downgrade me to the lowest tariff (I was paying £25 per month) but that was it.

They put a restriction on my phone about a month ago so I can't use it at all (outgoing and incoming). I have since got a free SIM card but have 73p left in my account until next week, so can't even afford to put credit on that!!

I agree with the advice you've been given so far - speak to them and plead your case. You never know.....

bringmeshoes

i work for o2 and it's very unlikely that they will cancel your contract, also now they will only let you downgrade your tariff 9 months into your contract so if you still have a year to go again its unlikely they will let you do this....sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
if you are going to have problems paying the bill i would strongly advise you call and ask to be put through to debt assistance and explain your situation and they should be able to set up a payment plan to pay it off, they may restrict your handset to incoming calls only until this has been paid
i don't know about orange but i presume it will be a similar stuation with them too
good luck

Boppy_2

Thank you all ever so much, i will phone them all up and hope for the best. I will definately start posting on here, i have been lurking for a while just not had chance to post. I will update this as soon as i have spoken to them. Thanks again.