Debt problems due to disability, help please

Karfy
Karfy Posts: 57 Forumite
in Disability money matters
Hi there,

I've posted in the debt part of forum but thought would post here as well as maybe people have specialist knowledge due to disability.

I need some help as I've gone further into debt due to illness/disability and the extra costs of paying for it. I've only been getting lower rate DLA in both mobility and care and I called up DWP to be reassessed as my condition deteriorated and I had to be moved onto PIP but the whole process has taken so many months, maybe like 10? And now I'm just waiting to hear the decision.

But in the meantime my costs have increased and I now have £1500 on a Halifax credit card and I'm almost £1800 into my Barclays current account overdraft and now that Barclays changed the charges I'm having to pay £1.50 a day for that overdraft. £48 just came out of my current account and I just can't afford it... :(

I've tried applying for a 0% balance transfer card to shift the cc debt and got declined. But I checked my credit score and it seemed the only issue was my cc debt? Maybe its because my income is so low? I'm currently on ESA £125 pw and DLA £44 a week... but my costs due to disability are higher hence the increasing debt.

Any advice and guidance would be great, thanks. I just don't know what to do and the Barclays charges have stressed me out a lot.

Thanks,
Katharine
«1

Comments

  • WantToBeSE
    WantToBeSE Posts: 7,729 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped! Debt-free and Proud!
    I think it might be helpful if you mention what it is about your disability thats causing you to spend extra money. People can give you ideas around them, or how to do them cheaper etc.

    For me, it was driving my son to so many appointments per week, costing loads on petrol, and also his sensory problems with clothing and food etc.
    £10k of Debt

    Debt Free Diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=6026621
  • Karfy
    Karfy Posts: 57 Forumite
    Its mostly been extra transport costs like for taxis/ubers because I've stopped being able to use public transport. I'm applying for a taxi card to help with this though but I still need help with what to do about the debt.

    Also I've stopped being able to make meals and having problems with food so having to order in a lot more and buying ready meals that have been more expensive.

    Also I have been ill mentally, had a very bad mental breakdown and during that period I was less careful about my spending so that increased my debt.

    Thanks for any advice :)
  • Karfy
    Karfy Posts: 57 Forumite
    I have a lot of medical and psychiatric appointments and keep having to get a taxi to them.
  • KxMx
    KxMx Posts: 10,599 Forumite
    First Post Name Dropper First Anniversary Photogenic
    Does your Hospital offer a patient transport scheme? The criteria for this is usually quite tight but they may be able to help.

    Are you getting all the other benefits which you may be entitled to? Such as housing benefit, help with health costs etc.

    I'd suggest opening another bank account and having your benefits paid into there. Then transfer money into Barclay's purely for repaying the overdraft.

    I'm not an expert on debt but I suggest approaching one of the debt charities for advice because you clearly can't afford the repayments on your income.
  • glentoran99
    glentoran99 Posts: 5,821 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post Debt-free and Proud!
    you'll get lots of help on the debt free wannabe section of this forum too
  • KxMx
    KxMx Posts: 10,599 Forumite
    First Post Name Dropper First Anniversary Photogenic
    I'd also suggest going through all your outgoings and see where cuts or savings could be made. Such as, are you getting the best deal for your internet, best mobile contract ( go to PAYG if possible) with the cheapest gas/electric provider? Could some of your food items be downgraded a brand?

    Cash back websites are good if you shop online, also think about survey sites. They take time to build up to payouts but I use I Say who offer payouts via vouchers or pre pay MasterCard at £5, and New Vista Live who pay out at £50 and I'm almost at my second this year.

    Hopefully your PIP will increase but the danger is so will your spending to match. If you get into good, money saving economical habits then you'd really see the benefit when (hopefully) your PIP goes up.
  • nannytone_2
    nannytone_2 Posts: 12,948 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    also contact your local social services.
    there may be funding available to pay someone to help you do the things you struggle with ( via direct payments)
  • Karfy
    Karfy Posts: 57 Forumite
    Thank you so much everyone for the advice, i will look into the things you have said :)

    Today I printed out a taxi card application form to get subsidised taxis and have gone through my bank statement looking at spending and its mostly food and taxis (I have spent £235 on taxis since 30/8/16 omg ahh) but I think I could also cut extra costs.
  • Karfy
    Karfy Posts: 57 Forumite
    These were mostly for appointments for a specific team and I was so unwell at the time I just didn't think to find out about reimbursement although they knew I was having to get taxis ah :(
  • 50Twuncle
    50Twuncle Posts: 10,763 Forumite
    Photogenic First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Does your power company offer a Warm Homes discount scheme ?
    £150 cash back !!
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards