Hello, can someone please give me some advice? I have been seriously ill for the past 8 years & am unable to work. My husband works all the hours God sends & we have 3 children. We do not claim any benefits & have always paid our own way. We have some debts, which are now starting to be a real problem. Hubby has 3 credit cards & is so far up to date with the minimum payment each month. I have 2 credit cards & a catalogue, which I have always paid until the last couple of months & i'm starting to get nasty letters, which are really scaring me. I have been researching online & was wondering if I could ask the catalogue (GUS) for my Credit agreement, as I know I haven't signed anything. I did write to them about a month ago though, asking them to give me a bit more time as I was trying to raise funds to pay them. Would this letter mean that I couldn't go that route, as effectively I have acknowledged owing them money? All the debts are 5+ years old except one of my credit cards (1 year). We have always paid our own way & never asked for help but we just can't go on any longer & i'm so scared. My hubbys dad has just died & I have to go back into hospital for major surgery & the worry is terrible. My hubby pays a ridiculous amount of tax & with a mortgage, loan,utilities plus supporting me & three kids, we are at breaking point & I just don't know what to do. I'm trying to be strong in front of the family but I can't take any more & I only keep going for my kids. I'm know that I must sound so sorry for myself & i'm not proud of that but I desperately need some help & advice. I really hope someone can give me some ideas. Thanks so much for reading this.

Hi -- Due to the complexity of the problem I suggest you see a free advisor at your local CAB or CCCS below, they can advise you on the CCA requests first of all to see which debts may be invalid. Also do a full benefit entitlements check to see if your Husband is entitled to working tax credits or indeed any other benefits or help you may be entitled to that you're currently missing out on.

They can have a look at your debts and prepare income and expenditure balance sheets if needed and prioritise your creditors, contacting them where necessary on your behalf maybe getting interest frozen to help ease the burden.

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cabdir.ihtml

http://www.cccs.co.uk/

emphasising CMK's thoughts above - you need to check what you are entitled to. try ringing the local benefits office. normally if you are on a low imcome you may be entitled to working tax credits. also im sure you would be entitled to child benefits for your kids.

hang in there... talk to us on this forum.... dont give up.

Georgina xx

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George