I am in so much debt, looks like I am going to lose my home

[Lazylou]

That's about it really.

I came off benefit earlier this year (April) believing that if I worked, my family and I would have a better life, but the cost of just living is crippling me. The housing association are threatening to evict us, I'm up to my neck in rent and council tax arrears and just this week have been taken to court twice for gas/electricity and water rates non-payment. I don't know what to do or how to get out of it. My credit rating is literally non-existent and I'm getting deeper and deeper into trouble.

Has anyone else been in this situation and has anyone got any advice?

Thanks

make an appointment tomorrow if possible with the CAB, they can give you help with managing the debts, and can arrange for your creditors to accept a payment scheme that you can afford.

Don't panic, do phone them. The longer you put it off, the higer the interest on what you owe. they really can help you sort this out.

HTH

if you are actuall worse off working than being on benefits then i would quit work and go back on benefits. Get to the doctors and explain the situation as you are obviously very distressed over it.

Talk to those that you owe the money too. I know its easier to ignore them and hide. But if you talk to them they will help.

Even if it is a silly amount each week to the housing association that have to help you and they have to accept what you offer. Even if they evict you they still have to help rehome you.do the same for the water rates. Get a payment card from them and make sure you go into the post office and pay what they ask each week.

Gas and electric have meters put it. On is/tax credits they can legally only take 2.80 per week for the arrears and you can get the is office to write them a letter confirming your on benefits. That way you can keep an eye on what you are paying and no horrendous bills every 3 months. Also makes you conserve energy more.

I really do understand its hard but there are ways and cab can help too so please talk to them.Hope it all works out x

hi lou,

you need to talk to the housing association and arrange a payment fo rthe arrears that is workable for you. Water rates you can add what you owe on to the yearly balance and have it divide into monthly payments that you use at the post office. The gas/electric you can have meters put in that i found were actually cheaper to use and if you go back onto is/tax credits thye can legally only take about 2.80 per week for the arrears.

If you are financially a lot worse off working than you are benefits than i would go to the doctors and explain the effect all the stress is having on you get signed off of work and back on to benefits till you can find a better paying job.

Hope all works out x

sorry com playing up!

If you see the CAB, they can deal with the Housing assiation/ council directly. They can arrange for you to pay what you can afford.

Make an appointment with them ASAP

Thanks for your adivce MB and Sugar.

I will definately be ringing the CAB tomorrow for some advice.

Thanks again

I work for a Housing Association and have to deal with tenants in rent arrears as part of my job. I can assure you that your Housing Association does not want to evict you and will not evict you if you work with them to deal with the arrears. Make a reasonable repayment plan with them, stick to it and most importantly, keep in contact with the HA. If you have any problems in sticking to the agreement contact them immediately.
Good luck.