Paying debts with no income?

Karnam

So I'm new here so here's a few break downs.

I was a f/t university student until June this year, and have taken an interruption of studies year off in order to have my baby. My university has taken me off the registeration roll so that I can claim benefits, HOWEVER when I attempted to do this I was told that as I was pregnant I am incapable of work, and as my partner is a student he 'choses to work' and therefore we can get no income support/JSA/benefits whatsoever. It was suggested to us that partner drops out and then we could get money, but then his course is only for a few months and who wants to risk thier long term career for a few months of benefits?!

So we live with my partner's family. We pay no bills as neither of us have any income, so we've saved that much at least. We both have Orange Contract mobile phones, credit cards and overdrafts all at the cheapest student rates we could find. However as we're unmarried we don't intend on paying each other's debts off. Try and keep money seperate and not cause arguments!

So I have debts. Lots of them and no income. I owe 2200 on credit cards and 100 on an overdraft. Not much I know compared to a lot of people here but it's still a lot! Right now I've been paying off minimums by borrowing money from my parents but this can't continue in the long run. What tips can people give me to pay off such large debts without any income? I will get some CTC and child benefits when the baby comes, but I will recieve nothing for myself. Is it wrong to use this money to pay off my debts? How can a heavily pregnant woman make some money?

Bestthingsinlifearefree

Hi Karnam,

If your partner only has a few months left till he finishes his course then you might try to struggle on until then and he can then he can get a job.

If his course is for a year or more I think you need to have a heart to heart with your boyfriend. He need to drop out get a job and provide for his baby / mother of his baby or at least get part time job etc etc.

You have both decided to bring a baby into the world in your current financial circumstances and if his only option is to drop out and get a job then he needs to accept that responsibility.

Or unless you get a job after you have the baby etc etc.


Either way one or both of you will need to work unless you intend to rely on the governement / tax payers or your families to bail you out and pay for both of yours decision to have a baby.


You need to have a heart to heart with your partner,face this together and BOTH take responsibilty for your actions.

Time to smell the cofee and if it means sacrifising UNI so be it, you can always go back later do evening courses, open university etc.

Time to wake up and smell the coffee !!!

As a bloke thats my thoughts on the matter.

As of now both of you need to make big sacrifices and commitment to give that kid the decent start in life he /she deserves.

Good Luck and I wish you well.

Karnam

Yea we had pretty much intended on struggling on until he gets a job, as his course finishes..... dum dum dum this week!! I have every intention of returning to university in a year's time in order to finish my degree, and we've accepted that he'll have to support me to some extent in order to do this. It's just one of those horrid situations where you're in limbo for a few months! We've pretty much given up with the Government since they've decided that students can just drop out and get jobs. It's just weird as I don't feel entirely comfortable using CTC to pay off my own debts... but I've no idea where I can get money until my Student loan comes through next September!

Rikki

Are there any jobs you could do for friends. ie baby sitting, ironing for a small charge, things that you can do while pregnant. Its small pin money but it will give you something towards paying your debts off.

I agree your boyfriend should finish his course. He will of forfilled his potential and get a better job. Then you, him and the baby will have a better life.

Good Luck.

Karnam

I will try and look into small jobs like that! It's impossible to find work as pregnant girl! I've got to the point where I'm selling pretty much everything I own (lol should i try doing that on ebay?) books, cds, mini disc, clothes...

dropping out really isn't an option for either of us and I despise the Jobcentre for suggesting that this would be best for our baby and our life. I'd rather struggle for the next year or so and then get my degree, rather than struggle to live on benefits for the rest of my life. I'd hate to force myself into the 'parasites' of society category.

Bestthingsinlifearefree

Hi Karnam,

If your BF finishes his course this week as you say. Then the key is for him to get job hunting and start supporting his baby and the mother of his baby.

I admire your / his determination to finish your courses but its not the be all and end all particuarly if it will put you futher into debt e.g more student loans.

There are plenty of unemployed graduates out there or graduates employed in jobs where you don't need a degree really.

So have a open mind it maybe necessary for you to get a job but this does not mean you won't have a good career / work your way up.

At the moment I would concentrate on being a healthy / relaxed mum to be and let the support from both of your families get you through.

You concentrate on having the baby and get him out there trying to bring the money in.

Once you have had your baby you can reconsider your options etc maybe if there is grand parents support you could work part time / evenings while they your partner helps with the baby.

Don't get stressed out what will be will be, you sound bright and you have got good people around you. So both of you will make it. But definitely get the boy friend fully aware of his responsibilities as he is about to a father and needs to focuss on providing for his family.

Good Luck !

Karnam

yea bless him he cancelled his preordered PSP and XBox360 to pay for a travelsystem and a crib! and that was really painful for him i know! it's amazing, this switch seems to go on in men's heads when they're going to be fathers and they mature by around 20years! thanks for the advice and support guys!

black-saturn

Couldnt you go to the CAB and ask for an administration order? They write to the loan and credit card companies for you and tell them whatever you can afford to pay (you will need to tale proof) and this stays in place for 6 months and they don't add any interest on for 6 months. I may have got it wrong but I think that's what it's called.

starving

when it comes to stiuations involving students and JSA, the job centre takes the blind view that no student is allowed JSA what so ever, however this is wrong.

for example when i left 6th form college a few years back my mums benefits for me stopped in the august, i went to claim JSA and was told i wasn't entitled as i was going to university in the october, i explained that between now and then i wasn't going to be recieving any money off anyone to support me.

cut a long story short i received my benefits in the end.

for your particular case i would look at this

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/cms.asp?Page=/Home/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/497#hardship

note the bit where is says you can still claim JSA under the hardship provision if your pregnant and cant fullfill a JSA aggreement

Rikki

If you took the job centers advice it would be a quick fix and the rest of your lives would be a struggle.

If you both struggle now (no fun I know) and get your qualifications you will both have a bight future together as a complete family.

Karnam

black-saturn wrote:

Couldnt you go to the CAB and ask for an administration order? They write to the loan and credit card companies for you and tell them whatever you can afford to pay (you will need to tale proof) and this stays in place for 6 months and they don't add any interest on for 6 months. I may have got it wrong but I think that's what it's called.

oh interesting. i was considering one of those 0% credit card tarting things since partner thinks he will be gainfully employed by the new year but this sounds interesting too. i will have to make a trip down to CAB and ask around.

the jobcentre was really unhelpful, when i was told i was entitled to nothing, the woman basically said there was nothing i could do until either of us dropped out...

CAB seems like the place to go