Hi all; new & needing advice...
Hello CBN79
Thanks for that really helpful info from both sparkling lime and purplepeg. One of the very best things about this forum is the great support given to other members :D
As you can tell from what has been written above, sorting everything out can be a rather time-consuming process. The Citizen's Advice Bureau are indeed wonderful for helping with debt problems, but you may have to make an appointment some time ahead as they are inundated just now. In the meantime the absolute number one priority is to make an arrangement with your mortgage company as this is the roof over your heads. All the major mortgage companies are "supposed" to have signed up to one of four schemes for those who have difficulty paying. You should also have been given a Council Tax benefit claim form with your Income Support form and should be entitled to have this all paid for you.
As purplepeg says, get in touch with the tax credit people and also consider your bank account options, as she has outlined.
Make a comprehensive list of debt amounts and to whom owed, this will really help an adviser. Also a budget.
if you do not pay your utility bills monthly then arrange to do so. Have a long, hard look at your budget and see if there is anything you can get rid of or reduce.
If you are waiting a long time for a CAB appointment, call Capita Assistance on 0845 120 2951 Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, they can give free debt advice to those on low incomes. Have your income details and your National Insurance number to hand when you call.
Finally you need to think about getting the wheels in motion for your husband paying child maintenance and if you do not feel confident with a private agreement then contact the CSA (see http://www.cmoptions.org/ to consider your options) although please note that after the first £20 per week it reduces your Income Support pound for pound...but still worth doing as you establish maintenance payments for if you want to work in the future...and they are not knocked off your Working Tax Credit
Hi CBN79
Everyone has already given really useful information, so I just want to say good luck with it all. :D
If you have any further questions, please ask us here as it seems that almost always someone here has been through something similar and can tell you how they dealt with it and in a couple of months you can support others with all your knowledge you are about to acquire!! :)
Look forward to talking more. :)
Hi
CAB (citizens advice) is a really good place to start as they can give you advice about the debt.
My ex had tremendous debt, and the family home had to be sold to clear this. As we were married the debts were considered to be joint, even though all but one - which was in joint names (a loan he'd been topping up without my knowledge that I though had been paid in 1992) - were in his name.
It could be as you are married that you could both be respoinsible for these. I got divorced five years ago.
I'm on income support, although classed as a carer for my son with special needs. It is a very different way to living, but with strict budgeting you can live and to be fair, live ok. You get used to being without the extras.
With regards to your mortgage, it is wise to keep them informed of what's happening and see if they can help in some practical way.
Good luck!