Credit card debt combined with redundancy and now becoming a single parent due

[Lostalldirection]

I've found myself in the really unfortunate position of having two children under three, been made redundant from my full time position and split from DP due him having a mental breakdown. Both my credit cards which I was hoping to pay off asap have now started charging me interest, a lot of interest, and I'm wondering if I can ask them to halt the interest until I'm able to get back to work or even a 'grace or goodwill' period. Anyone have any experience good or bad of this?

YES
Go talk to the CAB and stepchange

and phone the card companies to tell them that you are in contact with CAB and stepchange

if you can keep servicing the cards, make the payment a standing order rather than a direct debit as then the interest clocks up more slowly

and then talk to the benefits people ASAP

Get child maintenance from your ex

Cos that will be sorted before the next credit card bill is due