Worried sick about money need help

[jmh740]

My dh has MS he's been really ill recently and has been off work sick since Feb this is the last month he can claim full sick pay.
It is unlikely he will be able to go back to work.
I work part time I earn £1k a month I can't really work more due to my own health not being great and me needing to care for dh.
I've done an online calculator today and if we have to claim benefits we will be a thousand pounds a month worse off.
we could claim about £800 a month help which im very grateful for but don't see how we can run a house and live on £1800 a month we have 2 teen children. We struggle to manage now we have about £10k of debt.
I really don't know what to do dh is suffering mentally I don't feel like I can talk to him about it, I couldn't sleep last night I was awake worrying all night and could barely function at work.
Does anyone have any advice please.

Speak to Turn To Us, they will help you. You probably need to reschedule your debt, and they will also help you sort out your benefits.

I hope you get it sorted - I’ve been there and it’s terrifying.

Would medical retirement be an option? Speak to HR.

Is your dh claiming all the benefits he is entitled to, can you claim carers allowance

You must be very worried but it will work out.Turn to us will help you .Does DH receive PIP at the higher rate ,do you claim carers allowance,help with rent and council tax?Once you start the process you will feel less anxious and see what you can claim.Christians against poverty will help to talk you through the debt.Good luck.

He gets higher rate pip and has a mobility car, I earn too much to claim carers, we get a 25% reduction already on council tax due to his disability.
I've tried a couple of different benefit calculators and get very different answers from them all.
oh is suicidal and feels useless and I feel like I'm on the verge of tears all the time.
I've only just found out about this debt and if there wasnt that to pay I dont think I would be so worried.
When we were first together we struggled financially oh was made redundant while I was in a very high risk pregnancy we struggled for a few years, the last 5 or 6 years it felt like we were getting back on track, and now I just see a future where we have to watch every penny, all we will be able to afford is basics and I have to tell the kids we can't afford things or do anything fun. I want more for them.

Will your dh be getting any sick pay from work ssp or Universal credit. Can he retire on ill health if that helps.

A friend in a similar situation took a mortgage payment holiday which was really helpful until she was able to increase her hours. I don't know if that's a possibility for you

Please contact Christians against poverty, they can help you claim everything you're entitled to and help you talk to the companies you have debt with to work out a repayment plan.

You cut back on everything. You won't be working so lower fuel costs and all the other costs associated with going to work. Teens have to accept they won't be getting the latest this and that unless they can earn some money. Sell things on eBay. Clear out your house.

Is that £1800 including the higher rate PIP allowance? Or would that be on top as well?

Ask for a mortgage holiday for 6 months. What's the £10k debt? How have you only just found about it?

So sorry this is happening to you OP. Go through your bank statement with fine tooth comb and cut back everything. Make teens have a Giffgaff SIM card for £8, cut back on cleaning products, food even simple things like no squash just water. Cut back on hair cuts by getting shaver thing and doing them yourself. No new clothing, no eating out, if you have to drive go slower to conserve fuel, cancel any subscriptions get Freeview, no more baths only quick shower. Cut up credit card. Ask mortgage company if you can pay interest only for 6 months until you can increase your hours. Try to get DH out walking around in fresh air as good for well being. Go to CAB and ask for debt counseling and help with contacting creditors. Try to get interest frozen so you can focus upon paying down debt. You can do this.

See if you can get a reduction on your water bills. They have tariffs for people who have disabilities (especially if their condition means that they use more water).

Please contact StepChange tomorrow.

They will be able to speak to your creditors.

I have MS too OP, it’s an awful condition, could any of the MS charities help? Does your husbands MS nurse know how you are struggling? Please, speak up and get the help your family needs. Good luck.

www.techadvisor.com/article/743728/on-benefits-get-cheap-bt-fibre-broadband-with-a-landline.html/amp

Small saving but you can get £15 phone/broadband through bt if you’re on any benefits.

Does the 800 a month include child benefit and pip?
Otherwise
1000 wages
800 benefits
Pip 500 (at least)
Child benefit 210?

That's quite a decent sum.
Could the teens pick up part time work?

Hi OP,
Could your partner be entitled to the new version of contribution based jobseekers: (I don't think he would need to be able to look for a job. I think it's just based on having recently been in work.

(Quote from entitledto.co.uk website)
New style Employment and Support Allowance

£77.00 / weekly

Your entitlement is made up of £77.00 in partner contribution-based ESA. Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance is paid for a maximum of twelve months, unless you are in the 'support' group.
End quote

Might you be eligible for any PIP yourself OP if illness limits your ability to work?

Does your household have a second car OP? It might be worth getting rid of one of them if your partner isn't working? If you got rid of the mobility car you would have that money in the pot I think (although perhaps hard on your husbands independence?)

I second contacting Christiand Against Poverty or stepchange for help with your debt in new financial circumstances. Don't use a debt service that you have to pay for. These are free charities.

Take a look at who else might be able to help you out of the struggles. I'm thinking about someone through your work - a debt counsellor or mental health coach. Someone from your past - ex military or similar. Someone from your industry - charitable organisations such as included in Building Workers or Bank Worker Charities.

Also if you log on to the forums on MSE you'll find a debt free wannabee group who will help talk you through a statement of accounts and look for ways for you to save or make money to help get you through to a better situation.

British gas have a grant fund right now for people who are struggling

Also don't forget people on PIP will get some extra due to government cost of living payments google when

Turn to us for charitable grant.

Community Fridge see if there is one in your area for free food.

My ex had M.S and did medical retirement. It helped him and didn't seem to be that difficult a process.

If your DH has a pension plan then sometimes it is possible to start the pension early on medical grounds. You will need to discuss with his pension provider.

First of all, do't stress too much. There is help available when you look for it. Many things here that need clarification.

Do you own the house ( have a mortgage) or are renting? If you are renting what kind of property it is? Is it council or private? do you a car or any vehicle in your name? What kind of debt is it? is it credit card/catalogue debt or do you have any priority debts?

If you and your husband's mental health is being affected then speak to a GP. You will need to apply for metal health breathing space via an approved debt advisor. This will give you time to sort our your finances and gives you some relief from money worries for a while.

You need debt advice but don't go to anyone who will charge you for it. There are many free debt advice charities working in different areas. You can also contact National debt line for free debt advice. You can check it for their debt advice pack to get an idea on how to sort out finances. They also have sample letters which you can use to contact your creditors. You can send those letters with the budget sheet to your creditors to show that you are financially struggling and ask them to accept token payments (or what you can afford to pay) based on your income and outgoings. Do ask them to put a hold on any recovery and freeze all the interest.

www.nationaldebtline.org/?cf_chl_captcha_tk=0dcbzCF5ux_Jg3h.n7tUfP6SDhuN1w5rHOfsuI3ZWbY-1639169553-0-gaNycGzNCNE&cf_chl_captcha_tk=0dcbzCF5ux_Jg3h.n7tUfP6SDhuN1w5rHOfsuI3ZWbY-1639169553-0-gaNycGzNCNE&cf_chl_captcha_tk=0dcbzCF5ux_Jg3h.n7tUfP6SDhuN1w5rHOfsuI3ZWbY-1639169553-0-gaNycGzNCNE&gh_jid=4103342004&gclid=CjwKCAjwwo-WBhAMEiwAV4dybWdGVWpANognRbcZx8yGRQTkzT9AB0Sdqst8g3fvsAnZgVNZ4bQHdhoCnEUQAvD_BwE

If you have priority debts such as utility, rent mortgage, Council tax, magistrate court fines or tv license arrears then better speak to a specialist debt advisor. Ask them if you eligible for any grants/help.

Call your local CAB and ask for advice on which benefits you can apply for. They will be in a better position to advice you.

Hi op I am so sorry to hear of your situation.
can you claim pip for yourself if you don’t work full time due to your disability. You can still work and claim even at the lower rate this could really help.
does your oh need the car, can he get the mobility part paid instead so you have more cash which is 280 per month and he can use public transport.
can you get working tax credits.
re the debt and benefits if you make an appointment with cab they can advise what benefits you can apply for, I agree it is really confusing.
can you also take an Iva on the debt and just get rid of it.
If you have a mortgage can you take a break for 6 months to help clear the debt or get some savings together?

Speak to stepchange or Christians against poverty asap regarding managing the debt.
Make a claim for Universal credit asap. Make sure you put yourself down as carer for dh as you can still be awarded the carers element on the claim even if you earn too much to claim carers allowance.
make sure your dh declares his MS on his side of the claim and starts to hand in sick notes - once he has ( hopefully ) been awarded LCWRA element on the Uc claim that will bump up the money by an extra £334 per month.
So once the UC claim is sorted you should see on your statement - a standard couples element, childrens elements. a carers element and then once dh has been assessed possibly the LCWRA element. A proportion of your wages is disregarded ( work allowance) before your wages start to reduce your total Uc on a taper. If you have rent to pay you will also get a rent element.
If you cannot manage mortgage payments, you may need to consider things such as trying to spread the term of your mortgage over a longer length of time, or downsizing if that is a possibility.
Is the motorbility car essential or would you be better having the money instead?

It won't be £500 at least of PIP as there will be no payment as they have a motorbility car.

If he's getting high rate Care component, it will be approx £500 pm. The mobility component is seperate.