In debt and need to sort it, but how?

brummiebabe

WSO wrote:

Not sure if it has changed recently, but OH tried to get DLA about 8 year ago - he is partially deaf and relies on his hearing aids to be aware of his surroundings (so he can literally switch off whenever he wants to)... apparently he wasn't disabled enough to get it even though it would be difficult for him to get around safely when (not if) his hearing aids suddenly cut out on him!

Fortunately his new digital hearing aids warn him when his batteries are low...

I think its a case of knowing how to fill in the claim form in such a way that you are awarded it - its really important to focus it on how you are at your absolute WORST, rather than how you may cope generally! I work with people who have depression/anxiety and have helped them fill in the forms MANY times - on the whole, they do get awarded something!:D

WSO

brummiebabe wrote:

I think its a case of knowing how to fill in the claim form in such a way that you are awarded it - its really important to focus it on how you are at your absolute WORST, rather than how you may cope generally! I work with people who have depression/anxiety and have helped them fill in the forms MANY times - on the whole, they do get awarded something!:D

Well if my OH didn't have hearing aids he would not hear traffic coming from around a blind corner or distinguish someone shouting at him not to do something, but while there is a real risk he could be knocked over if both hearing aids suddenly go and there is no one with him, it is an unlikely scenario because he minimises the risks of it happening. He even saw one of their doctors to determine the outcome so they didn't turn him down bluntly...

Unfortunately for him, every day is a "bad day" in the sense that it is something he has to live with knowing his hearing can only get worse over time... but because he has lived with it since he was 7, he has learned to cope with it mentally and I suspect that is ultimately why they turned him down for it. (After all, he doesn't have to pay for the aids or the batteries he needs so doesn't need any financial aid)

I just find it ironic that you can be obviously disabled and still not be entitled to DLA...

holidayguru

Hello!

Sorry for all your problems. You'll get loads of advice & opinions (I should know!) & help on here.

Just a thought....but had you considered bankruptcy? The law has changed now & in 99% of cases it's done with in a year. As long as your rent is up to date at the time you go bankrupt your landlord need never know! Also, I beleive, your previous years council tax would be included (not 100% on this).

Check out my post under 'advice on bankruptcy' on here & do seek advice from http://www.debtquestions.co.uk/forum/index.php3 .The guy on here-simon wiggins-is a lifesaver-helped my other 1/2 greatly! She too had depression & on his advice she went bankrupt & in just 6 months she was discharged (ie bankruptcy over) & it was such a releif-she got her life back!

Most important thing to do is make sure you are not in arrears on the rent when you go bankrupt.

Some people on here will doubtless reply 'work hard, pay the debts off, try & deal with it, it's morally wrong' etc BUT it's YOUR choice.

If it's making you ill then in my opinion it's the quickest & easiest way to get a new start. Check out the link above-good luck!

Miroslav

brummiebabe wrote:

As far as I'm aware, DLA is a non-means tested benefit open to all!!!! May be worth checking - its for people who need help with personal care/getting around, and I know of many people with anxiety/depression who've got it!

I have an appointment in two weeks with my advisor, so will ask then

Miroslav

moneysavingplumber wrote:

Hi,

I think it would help you think more clearly if, rather than fret and brood over what might happen, you got as much information about what could actually happen in the worst case scenario. It's not likely to be as bad as you imagine it to be, but I understand the worry it causes. I was threatened with distraint action by IR a few years ago over income tax arrears and they were very aggressive about it. When I actually sat down and saw what they could do it was less worrying and I obviously wasn't the only person in that situation.

Have you taken any professional debt advice? There are plenty of free advice services out there and talking to someone like that will lift a weight off of your shoulders.

I was about £25,000 in debt, including income tax arrears, two years ago, and now I'm two years (nearly halfway) through an IVA and get no grief from creditors at all. It's the best thing I've ever done. I'd struggled with it for about 2 years, taken advice from CCCS and had a payment plan for the credit card companies etc, but when the Inland Revenue come knocking that doesn't cut any ice I'm afraid. Whatever you do, you've taken the first step here, now you need to go and see a professional if you haven't already.

How about a change of career? Trying to get into something you enjoy. Work is always work but it can make a difference to your self-esteem if you get satisfaction from what you do, perhaps your job wasn't the right one for you.

Depression is difficult (but not impossible!) to address. Given your recent situation, your GP should be more than willing to refer you to a bereavement counsellor, it doesn't matter how long ago your loss was.
Medication can be a kick start in the right direction, but talking it through is far more effective overall. I personally know a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist that has a six week limit on treatment of depression, with astounding results. There are people that can help you on all fronts, and undoubtedly dealing with one problem will help with the other.

I hope that can be of some help. Good luck.

Thanks for all the info. Will check them out.

I'm not sure exactly how forceful people can be, so will need to look around and see my rights and how much they can do. I'm worried about bailiffs etc, but not sure how realistic that is.

Miroslav

holidayguru wrote:

Hello!

Sorry for all your problems. You'll get loads of advice & opinions (I should know!) & help on here.

Just a thought....but had you considered bankruptcy? The law has changed now & in 99% of cases it's done with in a year. As long as your rent is up to date at the time you go bankrupt your landlord need never know! Also, I beleive, your previous years council tax would be included (not 100% on this).

Check out my post under 'advice on bankruptcy' on here & do seek advice from http://www.debtquestions.co.uk/forum/index.php3 .The guy on here-simon wiggins-is a lifesaver-helped my other 1/2 greatly! She too had depression & on his advice she went bankrupt & in just 6 months she was discharged (ie bankruptcy over) & it was such a releif-she got her life back!

Most important thing to do is make sure you are not in arrears on the rent when you go bankrupt.

Some people on here will doubtless reply 'work hard, pay the debts off, try & deal with it, it's morally wrong' etc BUT it's YOUR choice.

If it's making you ill then in my opinion it's the quickest & easiest way to get a new start. Check out the link above-good luck!

Banckruptcy on £6000? I'm not sure if it's the route I want to to go, but thanks.

Will also check out that link

moneysavingplumber

Miroslav wrote:

I'm worried about bailiffs etc, but not sure how realistic that is.

I think they're only likely to be a major problem over the council tax, because the council have power to recover money far more quickly than creditors. I'm not sure what the policy is though. When the Inland Revenue start distraint proceedings and a bailiff visits, they will first list what possesions you have of value, but they won't just remove them, then tell you what you owe, ask if you can pay it etc. Technically they have 'seized' them at that point, and you will then have to take some advice as they will give you a limited time to repay the debt before they do actually remove the possesions. Under distraint powers, they probably will have rights of entry. The council tax may be different as it's under local authority, they probably have a leaflet about it, the Inland Revenue do.

Miroslav

moneysavingplumber wrote:

I think they're only likely to be a major problem over the council tax, because the council have power to recover money far more quickly than creditors. I'm not sure what the policy is though. When the Inland Revenue start distraint proceedings and a bailiff visits, they will first list what possesions you have of value, but they won't just remove them, then tell you what you owe, ask if you can pay it etc. Technically they have 'seized' them at that point, and you will then have to take some advice as they will give you a limited time to repay the debt before they do actually remove the possesions. Under distraint powers, they probably will have rights of entry. The council tax may be different as it's under local authority, they probably have a leaflet about it, the Inland Revenue do.

Will they be up front about who they are? Will they come at a reasonable hour?

I don't honestly have many possessions, certainly not of any value!

I ask because at 7am this morning, someone knocked on my door hard, twice.

By the time I got there really angry and ready to give the caller a slapping, he'd gone. I could see him and shouted out, he looked around but got in his car and drove off.

Just makes me wonder who it could me. Had to be someone after money.

On another note, my local County Court has sent me a letter saying the request from Barclays for an earnings attachment has been dismissed due to me being unemployed.

What happens now?

black-saturn

I've just read through all of that (and made notes) in despair. You must be under so much stress. When you think about all those debts I think you should just take a deep breath and relax. At the end of the day what can they do to you? They can't make you pay out money you havn't got.

If it was me I would keep paying the minimum payments on all of your debts but pay more off one. So I would pay as much as I could off Barclaycard first to try and pay it off ASAP but still keep paying your minimum payments on all the others. Then when thats paid move onto the Council Tax bill, then Capital One etc etc. It's going to take time but it will be worth it in the end. Whatever happens you can't keep paying just £1 pm off debts otherwise it's going to take 91 years just to pay off Barclaycard alone.

Also have a good sort out of your stuff. It's amazing how much money you can get on ebay for things like books, dvds, videos, clothes, jewellery. If it's all sitting there doing nothing you might as well sell it.

Miroslav

black-saturn wrote:

I've just read through all of that (and made notes) in despair. You must be under so much stress. When you think about all those debts I think you should just take a deep breath and relax. At the end of the day what can they do to you? They can't make you pay out money you havn't got.

If it was me I would keep paying the minimum payments on all of your debts but pay more off one. So I would pay as much as I could off Barclaycard first to try and pay it off ASAP but still keep paying your minimum payments on all the others. Then when thats paid move onto the Council Tax bill, then Capital One etc etc. It's going to take time but it will be worth it in the end. Whatever happens you can't keep paying just £1 pm off debts otherwise it's going to take 91 years just to pay off Barclaycard alone.

Also have a good sort out of your stuff. It's amazing how much money you can get on ebay for things like books, dvds, videos, clothes, jewellery. If it's all sitting there doing nothing you might as well sell it.

I've had an assesment with debt counselling today which was positive.

He just told me what the bailiffs could do and that's nothing if I don't invite them in. Just need to wait until Monday when he will have sorted all the letters out to the creditors and we need to wait for the bailiffs to give up and go back to the Council.

Then I can not worry about bangs on the door at 7am!!!

I'll wait with regards to eBay, just incase someone is checking up one me