My husband and I are on benefits due to his disability. We need to go bankrupt and have applied to various trusts (British Gas and Severn Trent Water) to pay our BR fees with no success (apparently they are swamped with applications). We now need to find a way to raise the fees ourselves. If we tried to save the money it is probably going to take 12 to 14 weeks maybe more with Christmas on the way. The only option that we have considered is borrowing money from the Social. That way the repayments are taken straight out of our weekly benefits before we even get them. The main concern I have with this option is that it may be frowned upon as it will be seen that we are getting into more debt.
It has always stuck me as a bit daft that you need so much money to go BR, when you go BR because you have no money!
I would suggest your course of action should be ok. In the grand scheme of things £495 is not a great deal of money so I doubt the OR will be too concerned.
Julian Donnelly Spokesperson for www.Bankruptcyhelp.org.uk Don't forget the helpline on 0800 078 9367
Thanks for the advice. We have to apply for joint fees but it's only £345 each. I know we don't have to pay the full £495 as we are on benefits but like you said it is crazy that you still have to pay some much when you are already struggling to make ends meet!
Yes I have already started filling them in online...been doing it bit by bit. Do I put the current balance of my debts as they keep increasing with fees etc? Also some of the dates I'm not too sure of. Should I guess and say that it is a guess?
On benefits - need help raising fees
Posted - 10 October 2008 : 14:06:21
