Council tax bill

[Namechanged4obviousreasons]

Hi all, long time poster but name changed for this one as I’m super embarrassed. I have been on the money boards for ages and have followed all the tips, all the ‘earn £10 per day boards’ but work has dried up for all of us and I’m struggling beyond belief to make ends meet.

Bit of back history….My mortgage has gone up so much and I’ve extended it once but it’s still nearly £300 p/m more than last year. I work full-time and still get some tax credits towards childcare but it doesn’t pay the full lot, so that’s an added expense. My DH left me 6 months ago and has gone to live in a van so no longer working, can’t pay towards mortgage and can’t be chased for maintenance. The house was remortgaged to pay for some essential repairs after we built a bit of equity, as we bought a wrecker (only thing we could afford), so equity in it is almost nothing now the prices have stagnated. If I went into rented, my kids would have to move schools as I couldn’t even afford a flat where we live. Eldest is going into year 11 and I can’t disrupt his schooling.

After DH left, I was struggling massively and doing anything to earn the odd pound or two, but then Council Tax was due again from April and I fell behind. I made an arrangement but then couldn’t afford it is was honestly never affordable in the first place (just robbing Peter to pay Paul). I’m not eligible for Council Tax Benefit, so no help there. I tried to negotiate again but they refused as I wouldn’t be paid up by the end of the financial year, so they sent me a summons.

I am normally so proactive but I buried my head in the sand after that as I haven’t known what to do. I got a letter from
bailiffs who have added their charges and tried to call but they wouldn’t accept my proposal. I explained I couldn’t afford any more and they didn’t care. I tried ringing the Council again and they wouldn’t help, saying it’s with the bailiffs, they can’t get involved etc.

Kids have obviously broken up for Summer, I haven’t been able to do anything with them, I’ve worked extra hours which has mostly gone on additional childcare as no family to help out. I’m ashamed to say I’ve even left my eldest in charge for half a day to save the childcare bill, which I didn’t want to do and have been worried sick about an accident happening.

This overtime gave me another £100 to offer to bailiffs, so I called again. They said they wouldn’t accept unless they came to my property to set it up. Stupidly (after reading other forums), I let them in. They then wouldn’t agree to my proposal and have now listed all my household goods to be sold if I don’t pay a minimum of £350 within 2 weeks and then more than I can afford every month. I’m absolutely terrified and can’t sleep when the kids are in bed. I’ve not stopped crying since they left and felt like driving away and not coming back. I’m at my wits end.

I’ve registered for more online jobs to try and earn a bit more but it’s making pennies. I’m going to be £150 short and I know they are going to take our tv and belongings which scares the hell out of me. My kids haven’t been anywhere other than the park all Summer, my eldest has friends going to cinema etc as they’re all older and I’ve had to say no to everything.

All 3 need new school shoes for September and my youngest two are at a school which has changed uniform this year so I can’t even reuse stuff there. I literally have nothing to even pay for second hand items. I don’t know why I posted really but I don’t have anyone to talk to and I’m so scared and lonely.

It is hard because my job is demanding and I’m having to put on a brave face everyday and I’m worried I will get sick and miss a day as no sick pay. I just feel like I can’t keep going. My kids are brilliant but haven’t done anything nice in so long and I feel like it is the worst Summer ever. I haven’t had chance to even get over my marriage breakdown or take a breath.

Step Change and National Debtline are both outfits with excellent websites and helplines

OP, and anyone else, be very careful using search engines for Debt Advice. Regrettably the UK is full of charlatans who will come out first on searches and whose advice comes at a price...

You need Breathing Space. Message me if you feel you would like to and I can implement this for you on Monday with a call first thing . I work for CAB. https://www.nationaldebtline.org/fact-sheet-library/breathing-space-ew/

Wish there was a line button on MN ! Helpful posters

Since then, they won’t accept any payments from me and said I have to deal directly with the bailiffs. If I did pay anything to them, they said it will go to bailiff fees first and they’re racking up now they’ve added fees for possession of my goods.

yep the council will not deal with you but

if you pay directly to the council, it will not then be transferred to bailiff - it will come off your c/tax

the council will not do another SPA as you defaulted and it went to a court summons and then passed to bailiff - but the council will not refuse payments as long as you use the barcoded tax letter, they can't stop the payments and they will not then send the money you pay to the bailiff as ultimately its the bailiff job to collect the money...

Ik really sorry that things have gone wrong for you, as pp states it maybe you need to sell your home and downsize as the bills are not going to be manageable on your own. Id get in touch with step change for some financial help

if you use the car for work - it maybe worthwhile and for your peace of mind - leave the car elsewhere, either at work or a friends.

I’m sorry Op this sounds awful. I can’t believe your ex would do that to his family.

Can you post on Facebook asking about school uniform? Loads of people have outgrown stuff and I’d rather give mine to someone specific in need, rather than to a generic charity shop. Appreciate that you might not want to broadcast your financial state though, but I think you can post anonymously. Lots of the charity shops near me have school uniform sections. Also aldi/lidl do really cheap generic stuff if that helps you. My local lidl had black school shoes in the other week.

Anything you can sell to raise a bit of money? Any things like tesco points etc that you can use to pay for food? Do the kids have any savings? I’d feel awful taking my kids money, but if it’s an emergency I’m sure they’d understand.

Are you sure you aren’t entitled to more benefits etc?

I have sold old clothes and books. I don’t think we have anything left that would be worth anything.

I will look in Aldi. I normally buy from supermarkets but some things need have school logo on, which makes it difficult and my eldest have big feet which normally aren’t stocked in supermarkets. It’s just another thing to account for, even second hand. My budget has been done to make a payment to Council Tax but not accounting for things like this and nothing for unexpected costs.

Could your eldest get a part time job- even if just for the summer? Can you leave the younger kids with friends so you can work, and then return the favour when you arent working?

Definitely look at breathing space, as a PP suggested. Also look to see what your council has in the way of discretionary council tax schemes. You can try looking at the council tax pages on your council’s website or look for discretionary housing payments on your council’s website. You won’t get a discretionary housing payment as you don’t rent, however the application process may well be the same for both.

Also look to see what your council offers in the way of household support fund.

I’m not sure as we live in the sticks and there isn’t much around us. He could have a look but I’d have to take him and pick him up.

Unfortunately, I don’t really have many friends, or not that I could ask for help. It’s more acquaintances/work colleagues. Rather sad but I’m an introvert and it’s always been this way.

It’s part of what upsets me most as my kids are really sociable and have always been able to do fun things with friends in the holidays, but it all costs. I can’t see a time when I’ll be able to let them do stuff with mates and I really don’t want them to become a loner like me. We had booked a holiday with friends for this Summer and I had to cancel because I couldn’t afford it. I had all the tears when I told them we couldn’t go and again when their friends went.

I feel so angry at my DH for leaving us like this. I text him this week about all this and he said he couldn’t cope and not to text again or he will have to turn off his phone and then he wouldn’t be available in an emergency - like he doesn’t see this as an emergency!

Thanks, I’ll look at any other support. I put in an application for DHP but it was refused.

Did they say why they refused it?

A 15 babysitting is absolutely fine I would do more overtime families have to pull together. Give Christians against poverty a ring they are really kind and non judgmental they help anyway religion is irrelevant they can support you emotionally as well as practically.

https://capuk.org/

Unless the car is on finance I believe they can take it. And I know it won't be what you want to hear but if they decide to do an earnings attachment they'll write to your employer who legally has to deduct the amount each month and send it to the council on your behalf. This is why CT is a priority bill because they have powers to do this quite easily. It's a certain percentage of your net pay (can't remember from my payroll days but I think it's around 15%). Is there anything you can do to avoid this happening? Could you sell the car and get something cheaper? I know you said it's worth 2.5k but maybe just until you get back on your feet you could get a banger for a grand.

I sent you a private message. I hope that’s okay.

discretionary house payment is supposed to help with rent, therefore if you are not renting and own a property, I doubt you'll qualify. Its government money sent to local council to distribute and those that apply who rent would be applicable first.

I do hope you can salvage something and sort this out - you've had lots of links to people who can help you so hopefully they'll be useful to you

Don’t feel bad at all for your eldest babysitting - they’re more than capable and I’d be doing the same. Can you save in childcare over the summer by the eldest stepping in to help? I also think the Headteacher should be doing more to help. Do you qualify for free school meals? If so, Pupil Premium children are entitled to additional support with things like uniform. I am a teacher and our PP children get two free jumpers at the start of an academic year. We would also help a family who were clearly struggling, like yourself, even if they didn’t meet the threshold for support. Worth another email explaining your situation the way you have to us? Sending you love - you’re doing so much to try and help your family.

OP, contact your parish council - not the council sending out the CT bills. There are hardship funds available to help with exactly this issue.

Hunt out the email address of the Parish clerk now, this evening and send an email explaining everything you have explained here.

They will try to help you, or may come up with some other alternatives.

Fun with the kids- few ideas- old wallpaper roll left over all draw or paint big scene on back of it hang in pride of place, play shop make money with paper, make a den/ fort, offer a sleepover for 11 year old 2-3 friends if able cheap pizza and squash film and couple activities if your able, how old are your other children? check local area see if they doing ant free activities for kids our local community got 3 free 2 hour activities this summer my kids all signed up for 2, library day, local walk, local woods/lake, bike/scooter ride, get a ball and go do football, basketball etc, picnic somewhere new, new play ground they haven't been too in your area, does your sports centre in your area do free swimming slots over the holidays.
Short term
Few ideas-
Uniform- if your on fb look if anyone in your area is giving uniform in new colours/shoes/coat away for free or put a post up asking if anyone has any old uniform logos will have to wait. If not facebook marketplace and vinted are cheapest I can think of maybe charity shops??
Food- ask around local area for food banks or places doing kids free pack lunches etc or ring citizen advice who can let you know everything that's avaliable in your area.
Bailiffs- few ideas- sell items, kids clothes your clothes old toys, bags shoes your wardrobe, books, games. Swap car for a cheaper one use the difference to pay baliffs??
Long term-
need to keep childcare costs down, need more income or need less outgoings.
few ideas- father playing his part, watching the kids/money, you changing job more per hour or closer so you can sell car or looking if going part time is better for your family, second job- maybe delivery like uber dominos they always looking kids can be in car with you got a family member who delivers for local Chinese three nights a week for a second job they make more them three nights than their mon-fri job.
Moving to a cheaper area/ smaller property, finding support with childcare maybe a friend? Or childs friends parent agree to help each other with childcare if it's night out for them not work keep childcare costs down as much as possible, offer to mind a friends child for cheaper than they pay for childcare when your able too. Offer to walk neighbours dogs for a small fee.

Thank you so much to everyone for your advice and just being so kind. I have always been an introvert and quite private, so asking for help and even admitting to people that I’m struggling is a challenge. I haven’t really had people around me that I could trust with discussing any of this either. As much as colleagues have asked, I just knew I’d be the talk of the office as soon as I left so I bottle things up.

I will look into everyone’s suggestions and hopefully I can get some help. It has made me feel better just to get this off my chest and allowed me to relax with the kids, even just for tonight. You’re all such lovely people and I really appreciate it ❤️

Can you share what part of the country you are in - we may know local charities etc

In regards to the mortgage - either speak to your lender's collections and recoveries department and they will help come up with a bespoke solution or you can switch to interest only for 6 months by just applying, as long as you are up to date on payments it will go through with no questions

I know you said you checked Olio and saw only bread listed. It might be worth checking again around 6/7pm for Iceland and 9/10pm for Tesco.
I collect for Tesco Extra and if you collected from me you would definitely get a good selection of meat, ready meal, fruit and veg and as much bread as you wanted.
Also worth signing up to be a good waste volunteer. My food bill has gone from 600/700 to around £200 for a family of 7.
Also email school again and explain everything to the head. Explain that you have no money and your children will have to come to school in old uniform. I'm sure they will sort something. I'm on a low income and school provided me a full uniform for free.
Also foodbank and food pantry's. Xx

OP, if you want to pm me, you’re welcome to. I work in this area.

If your ex isn't working and claiming benefits your kids will be eligible for free school meals/ pupil premium you would need him to fill in the form but the school might then help with the uniform(also would take the pressure of the food bill in September) I was surprised that they didn't do it on resident parent income but the kids will def be eligible if he is claiming benefits