Gorgeous toddler & newborn - now DH redundant, Bills Galore and we cant make rent!

[bloomingskint]

Feel like someone should take the kids off me.

We have never had a lot of money, but as we don't EVER do treats etc, and just always get by with the basics and spending time with the kids as opposed to money, we have coped fine up to now.

My DS is not 7 weeks old and DH came home with a letter 4 wks ago warning of his redundancy.

Didn't think it would be much of a problem as thought DH could easily get another job - hardworking, not fussy - tonnes of experiance driving (thats his job!).

But after weeks of intererviews, job apps and trips to the jobcentre (which has used all our money on petrol).

So today when he gets a letter offering him a position to start monday - youd think i'd be happy! But with that letter came tonnes of other letters demanding money!

We live in a rented house and cannot get anymore behind with the rent.

The good thing is that we will now be better off as DH job is more money but the problem we have is catching up with last months bills etc. The landlord wants it by Friday or she's going to start eviction process.

The phone has been cut off - the internet im expecting to go off anyday now - we have had a letter of the bank saying they will close my account!

So... i thought i'd try and make some money to catch up - i have done 2 car boot sales, sold everything of any sort of value i own - but im still not even close!!!

I dont know what to do.

I feel that irresponsible that we could be made homeless with two babies but we havent been out splashing cash, dont drink/smoke - never have hair done or new clothes etc - what else can i do????

CAB say eviction process is 2 months so not to worry but i dont want to be evicted at all!

Dont really know what i expect you to say - just needed a rant i think.

If you've made it this far - thank you for listening.

best thing to do is to contact your creditors directly, by letter or phone, but get the name of who you speak to, and explain.. tell them your DH will be in his new job in a matter of days and you have every intention of clearing any backlog, but might have to be in installments. if you cannot do that, then the CAB might be able to do it for you.

your landlady sounds a bit unsympathetic to start eviciton proceedings when you have a new born, and your DH has a new job.

are you entitle to any tax credits etx

That's shitty

Have you applied for all the benefits you might be entitled to?

Are you getting everything you are entitled to? Have you told Tax Credits that you have another baby (you get extra for the first year) and that you've had so long without money? (Assume he'll have to work a month before he gets paid?) Do you get housing benefit/ council tax benefit?

Sorry can't think of anything else.

have you applied for the sure start maternity grat - £500 if you are getting a higher rate CTC? Yes get your CTC amended and ask for the extra money if you are entitled to some.

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I have had a few money problems in the past and got help from someone from welfare rights. He prepared a financial statement, contacted all my creditors and got them to agree to freeze charges and accept reduced payment plans.

As for the eviction ask them about that too, I don't think that she can do that but you should go and find out exactly what your rights are.

{{{{{hugs}}}}} to you.

Your children should not be anywhere but with you, you will get throught this.

Thank you everyone.

From what i can make out - my landlady doesn't really have room to negotiate with me, she says she has a 'massive' mortgage on our house that our rent has to cover.

We get tax credits, but have been waiting since march (yes, march!) we made our housing benefit claim and due to a few changes of circumstances we still have not had our award!! I have sent several letters/phone calls and have been CAB about it who sent a letter but it is Still not sorted out!

I have tried to reason with creditors and most are ok but the ones that arn't worry me.

The thing is we cant really afford to even pay in installments - we never have any money left over as it is without another payment to make.

What we ideally want is to either win a few hundred quid unlikely - or for them to let us have a few months without paying anything before being able to pay monthly looking just as unlikely!

We are already on the housing associations lists and have been for 4 years, as our rent is ridiculously high for a couple in our situation, but have yet to hear anything - that is another route im pursuing and it will save us over £300 a month just in rent!

I also made the stupid mistake of having a provident loan to pay off everything up to date but they wouldnt lend us enough so it half cleared us but now we have another bill to pay!

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I am in England.

Yes i have spoken to the Council but its an agency who deals with the housing now - there arn't any council houses as such. They wont take into consideration our financial difficulties for some reason - and just see that we are in suitable accomodation and have put us 'bottom of the list!'. I gave them letter from landlord and told them might be evicted and they said they'd put me in touch with a hostel (15 miles away!)

The thing is my hubby already uses a debt management program to pay his old loans etc (which hes had before he met me!) and he cant reduce that any more.

I will speak to hubby and sit down and work out (which is all we ever seem to be doing lately) an amount and offer it to the landlord.

The sad thing is i feel like all my time and energy is taken up with this - and not my lovely kids

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Do you qualify/have you had your sure start maternity grant - can claim up until the baby is 3 mnths old? Are your tax credits up to date. Can you go and sit at the council offices everday and ask them what the latest news is on your case - this does work - they get sick of having to see you!

Thank you!

I am waiting for a decision on my Surestart grant at the minute - so fingers crossed as that would help us out a lot (but then i'd feel worse that i couldn't use it for baby!)

Our tax credits are up to date i think.

I would love to go down to the council offices but thats another issue - im pretty much stuck at home all the time as i don't drive and the nearest bus stop is a good 30 minute walk (which i do when totally neccesary,) but is a nightmare with DD and DS at the minute - then the double buggy on the bus thing - can't cope!

DD is going through terrible twos and basically i find it easier at the minute to stay at home and just venture to the park behind our house.

I think i feel worse because i can't just pick up the phone and speak to the companies etc. and i have no mobile or even money for the call box until DH gets back with some (i hope!)

perhaps start writing to the coucil everyday!!!!!

so sorry to read about your troubles - damn dificult

see you have been to CAB - Good

deep breath make a list of your creditors, who is owed, how much etc.write to them and state you are in financial difficulty, and are willing to pay a manageable nominal amount, try negotiate a timetable. get this confirmed in writing

if it comes to eviction , and i sincereley hope not, then a court order is reqd - they take ages. but if u can show a reasonableness and willingness to pay debts to landlord then that counts favourably

seek support
dont panic
dont be bullied

Most of all remember this is a black horrid time- hopefully it will pass.

postives are
beautiful children
husband back at work

good luck

I will write for sure.

Like you say = they have to do something - surely.

On a lighter note - but makes matters worse i sold some clothes on ebay to raise funds and sent them by courier and now the bloomin woman keeps emailing me saying they haven't arrived and can i ring DHL to sort it out - i sent her the paperwork for her to ring but she says i should do it - how do i say ' well i cant because i have no phone!!!) - so embarrasing

you can check dhl via the internet using the tracking number. I guess do that see what it says and email her with the response and explain you only have internet and no phone at the moment (leave her to work out why!)

Surely your housing benefit claim will be out of date now as you have an extra mouth to feed???? Make sure you write and tell them that.

Take it your child benefit is up to date too.

It does sound grim.

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Just done the DHL number on the internet - says its not recognised! - but im not that worried - whats the worst she can do!

I have sorted my child benefit but as it can only be paid to me monthly (for some reason im not entitled to weekly pay) it comes round too slowly.

I looked into income support when DH was not working but they said he'd need to be not working for 6wks to qualify - and now he has a job we definately wont (i think) - does anybody else find the DWP benefits helpline totally unhelpful?

The social security loan would be ideal - thats what we could do with - really low payments to get us back on track - but we just cant get it

Feels better 'talking' about this though! Can't really talk to DH as he is a traditional guy and just gets himself worked up and feeling guilty he cannot ' provide for us ' - and no amount of telling him otherwise gets hime to change his views!

Just want to say a HUGE thank you to you all for reassuring me yesturday! What a fab bunch you are x

Still got no money, and a really uncertain few months ahead - but like you say - 2 health happy kiddies and a lovely DH so im feeling much better today!

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Thank you - oops just realised i never changed my name back! - how embarrasing x

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