I don't know if this will work for you, but it has worked for me in the past for both gas and electric, change suppliers! and then 'negotiate' a deal to pay back the old debt with the old supplier. I've gotten it down to a few quid a week before.
I've moved so much over the last seven years though that I cant remember if that has been with pre paid or quarterly bills, I've had both.
I'm pretty sure though that they are not allowed to put you in a situation where you can not afford electricity and gas, particularly if you have children.
Go to CAB with all your debt troubles, they make calls, write letters and leave you paying a very manageable amount back each week and they don't charge you anything. When I was first on my own I was thousands in debt with banks and inland revenue (working bloodie tax credit) gas, electric blady blady blah... and now it's all a few quid a month : )
Hi..
Your best bet is CAB as really, no one is allowed to put you in a situation where you can not provide and live with your children, but that is not to say they will not try.
When it comes to leaving your partner, apart from it ultimately being your choice, don't stay because you are concerned with finances, it may be difficult in the beginning, it probably will but everything always sorts itself out in the end and there is a lot of support available to help you get there.
When you want to do something and you know you want to do, or you you know you should do it, but you are scared because you don't know what it's going to be like, you don't know what going to happen, just basically the unknown, then in situations like that one part of you mind is going to find a hundred and one reasons why you shouldn't do it, that's just human nature, you have to make the decision to do what ever it is you decide you want to do.
But I'll shut up now : )
Thanx for commenting on my kids, I am proud of them, more than anything ever, I love them with every fibre of my being as they say. It's been a bit of an adventure but that's life and ultimately it makes us who we are... and I'm happy with who we are, all though if I could have my figure back that I had when I was about 25 I'd be happier.
Hello again nicola,
I know the sort of thing you mean, you put some money on your card at a Paypoint at the shop but they will take £10 out of every £20. It is oikely you would be left with this if he left the home, simply because you had already been living there.
I wonder if you would like some specialist 1-2-1 help? Have a look at this link and you can contact an advisor direct http://recession.onespace.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=57
I really do think you are doing the right thing researching all the aspects of how things would affect you. I did this myself and that few months of preparation was great for me and the kids when things finally ended.
By the way, just to say that if you are on Income Support then legal advice will be free (provided you have not got a property with a lot of equity in it) and also you can earn £20 a week on top of your beenfit, which could help a lot.