Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

**QueenAnne** · 27th February 2014, 16:47:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

No one responded

Anyways, I thought I document what I've done and how I deal with the changed situation of now being behind with rent.
And also the experience talking to the creditors. The situation I present them with - which is the actual true situation - is that with rent being £1150 and income in benefits £640 / month, there is no affordable payment.

Barclaycard (£400 CC) - telling them the current situation, they send an Income & Expenditure form. They again have put the account on hold for 30 days during which there are no charges and interest. The account won't get defaulted so far. I must add they are nice and come across as caring, and don't sound as if they read a script.

Capital One (£200 CC) - They don't stop charges and interest until a plan is in place. I disputed this - you have to agree you understand this and only then do they start with sending I&E Form etc. - so was forwarded to a mgr who confirmed their system doesn't allow it but I got refunded my late payment charges from before (something for something I suppose.) It mattered as I understood that I talked to them before, they knew my situation and that I paid £34 this month already.
They send the I&E form, and the plan I chose is "Short Term Plan" - for 5 months I can pay a token payment with this plan and they don't default or sell the account. They require it to be cleared on the 6th month. Hopefully I won't be unemployed for 6 months!

Aqua (£1400 CC) - the hardest and longest. They don't put the account on hold and don't freeze charges - no matter what I say. They want a plan in place. They send I&E forms but they are ok to fill it straight away on the phone to stop the charges. I literally told the full amount of income (£640) and full spendings (£640) didn't need to detail the spendings (bills etc. were not required) and had to list all my creditors and full amonuts owed, and - before even sharing these - had to name an amount I offer, which was £5. It was accepted, a letter should follow in the post. The date on which the amount is due could be selected by me (will be in March since I paid £68 on 11 Feb.) Also, they'll default the account. They'll also go with the collections according to their advisor, as if I had no plan in place. I told them to send me that in writing because it's not right I can't agree. So I'm expecting that in the mail.

QuickQuid / ARC - ARC legal rep emailed me today to let me know they never logged any default etc on my account, and he also confirmed he puts the account on hold until my issue with QQ is cleared. He came across light years better than anyone before. QQ has a SAR due in a week (probably won't be responded, since until 2 days ago, their helpdesk directed every email to ARC including the SAR and I had to point out there's a statutory time frame, and ask ARC to let QQ know that ARC is not responsible for QQ's SAR.) QQ by the way added 20+ closed settled accounts to my credit history - obviously too much. Plus the questionable defaults. As of now, I repeated to ARC my situation and detailed my I&E, and my debts and confirmed I'm looking for an arrangement according to my capabilities.

WageDay Advance - these people for 2+ months played cat and mouse with me. I kept contacting, they responded or they didn't. They say they sent me a form via email but I never received (I&E form.) then they asked me for my bank statements which I can't send (I don't know how to get the pdf's simply.) but when I responded they didn't acknowledge this or anything. The original debt is doubled with charges. Last I had was a letter I had to sign for a week ago, asking for proof that I get JSA. I copy my JSA letter and will send them (I'll delete my NI number on it.) They wrote if they get this they are willing to drop all charges on the account. Will send on monday.

Electricity, Gas, Water - I have JobCentre appointment on Monday and will ask for Fuel Direct to be set up for these. That means 25% of JSA will no longer come to me. Ecotricity, my provider advised this is a legal way to handle utilities in this situation (Again, the JobCentre people said nothing about this option. Ecotricity gave all the info when we were in touch about how to handle the bills.)

I'd still appreciate if anyone has suggestions. I feel extremely alone with the whole thing. Part of me thinks maybe I should've get these in place months ago - but I was positive I'll get into work by now for long and will forget about the whole situation already. And I was afraid, these people were calling on a daily basis, I have dozens of numbers blocked on my phone from them just to give me some silence. And until I actually called them today stating I'm claiming that I am in financial hardship, my rent alone is almost double than my income and I'm in arrears, they all wanted large payments from me. Feeling a bit brave to have talked to them, but still, I feel terribly alone and left to my nonexistent devices. Nothing of these will help me pay the rent in arrears and I have the section21 notice.

PS - paid a lump sum of £96 to BT re that defaulted bill, via bank transfer. The bill was due on 12 October and the default is for January, I found out. I asked BT to be considerate and amend the default (I know, what are the odds...) and I've let them know I won't pay the additional DCA charges - I couldn't even reach their DCA and I can't afford their charges from benefits.

**bluebottle** · 27th February 2014, 20:32:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Regarding your gluten intolerance, do you qualify for gluten-free bread on prescription?

**QueenAnne** · 27th February 2014, 21:40:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

No I don't think so - I don't know TBH.
I was intolerant before coming to this country, as well as having had IBS and tbh I never went to GP with my stuff in this country - I'm almost GP-phobiac I swear, had so much doctor and hospital time as a kid with things done to me that you'd consider torture (well in some countries it is I'm pretty sure.)
I was "established" if you know what I mean, diet and everything was in place. Also cos of my childhood bowel problems that tend to come back, these was already part of my lifestyle. So I didn't even know people can get prescribed gluten-free bread?
But then again I eat little amount of bread - that was just an example, a price I could recall quickly from head. I tend to finish a loaf in two weeks minimum or longer (I freeze bread to store it, like my grandma taught me!) But proper food in the UK is darn expensive. I eat much more stuff like Maple Sunrise for example (£3 / box, 5 portions in a box equals a week) which I think is a luxury in my situation but one portion of that with milk gives me a lot of what I need for half a day. I need fiber-rich but gluten-free stuff and fruits and veggies, prunes, I drink plenty of detox tea... these are part of my established diet and trying to get off them now upsets my inside, since I don't eat a lot of other stuff. The only tihng I skip now is meat, I don't spend on that (Lent is coming anyway.)

**bluebottle** · 27th February 2014, 22:19:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Originally posted by QueenAnne View Post

No I don't think so - I don't know TBH.
I was intolerant before coming to this country, as well as having had IBS and tbh I never went to GP with my stuff in this country - I'm almost GP-phobiac I swear, had so much doctor and hospital time as a kid with things done to me that you'd consider torture (well in some countries it is I'm pretty sure.)
I was "established" if you know what I mean, diet and everything was in place. Also cos of my childhood bowel problems that tend to come back, these was already part of my lifestyle. So I didn't even know people can get prescribed gluten-free bread?
But then again I eat little amount of bread - that was just an example, a price I could recall quickly from head. I tend to finish a loaf in two weeks minimum or longer (I freeze bread to store it, like my grandma taught me!) But proper food in the UK is darn expensive. I eat much more stuff like Maple Sunrise for example (£3 / box, 5 portions in a box equals a week) which I think is a luxury in my situation but one portion of that with milk gives me a lot of what I need for half a day. I need fiber-rich but gluten-free stuff and fruits and veggies, prunes, I drink plenty of detox tea... these are part of my established diet and trying to get off them now upsets my inside, since I don't eat a lot of other stuff. The only tihng I skip now is meat, I don't spend on that (Lent is coming anyway.)

If you have Coeliac Disease, where the body has an inability to cope with gluten, and have a confirmed diagnosis, you should be entitled to gluten-free bread on prescription. These usually come in cartons of six loaves. You will need to see a GP for the prescriptions and a pharmacy will need a PIP code for the brand you prefer if they don't already have it. If you do not qualify for free prescriptions, £7.80 for six loaves is better than £17.40 retail. If you qualify for free prescriptions, you get the bread free.

The other things that come to mind, given your description of your bowel problems, are Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Do either of these ring any bells?

You may benefit from an appointment with a clinical dietician or an NHS-registered nutritional therapist as regards your dietary needs.

With regard to the debt problems, Leclerc has asked for a consumer debt specialist to look in and advise you and I will bump this thread for a consumer debt specialist to look in.

BUMP

**seduraed** · 27th February 2014, 22:48:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

I have a few thoughts that might help . As you are a member of your church ask them if there are any charities that can help members in need .
As to the IBS there are food alternatives which are gluten free . Bulgar wheat and potatoes can be used as alternative to wheat products . http://www.mims.co.uk/news/882161/Gl...cribing-Guide/ the link is a prescribing guide for doctors as to the amount of gluten free food that should be prescribed .

**QueenAnne** · 27th February 2014, 22:48:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

In that case no because I am the non-Coeliac type of gluten intolerant... I didn't realise you mean if I'm Coeliac or not, sorry!
The Coeliacs get heavily inflammated and bleed and perforate and can die from any diet slip as far as I know, I cannot do that. I bloat to the size of 4-months preggers belly, ache sharply curling up to embryo position and get constipated to standstill point for 3-4 days until 1 box of Buscopan frees me from my hell. Starts 10-30 minutes after consuming gluten depending on the type of food.

Crohn's ring the bells but it could not be proven. I sometimes wonder but I don't get their kind of running belly. Running yes, just not the way they describe, and mucus yes too. But most times my belly just 'stalls'. Stops working on the stuff.

Thanks for this and thanks for the bump

**QueenAnne** · 27th February 2014, 23:02:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Originally posted by seduraed View Post

I have a few thoughts that might help . As you are a member of your church ask them if there are any charities that can help members in need .
As to the IBS there are food alternatives which are gluten free . Bulgar wheat and potatoes can be used as alternative to wheat products . http://www.mims.co.uk/news/882161/Gl...cribing-Guide/ the link is a prescribing guide for doctors as to the amount of gluten free food that should be prescribed .

One of the chaplains is looking after me, no charities, my church is a bit different from most parish, but they are aware and the chaplain is involved.
I will check the link... But e.g. for potato, I could eat that on a daily basis but I "stall" from it - I doubnt it has enough of the kind of fiber I need.
I have two problems
- the gluten
- this thing from childhood (when parents divorced) that my belly stalls. It stops working. When I was a kid I was thrown into hospitals where if you didn't go to the loo for two days (impossible task for me when I'm affected) then they filled your belly with water until it hurts, to "wash it" and they forced you to keep it and I was just 8-10. That's what I meant when I wrote that some of their stuff could be used for torture. I use the word "stall" and "stop working" as this is what the docs told my mum back then. And they didn't know why it happens or what triggers it - by now we know it was the divorce and stress does it still.

**bluebottle** · 27th February 2014, 23:18:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Originally posted by QueenAnne View Post

In that case no because I am the non-Coeliac type of gluten intolerant... I didn't realise you mean if I'm Coeliac or not, sorry!
The Coeliacs get heavily inflammated and bleed and perforate and can die from any diet slip as far as I know, I cannot do that. I bloat to the size of 4-months preggers belly, ache sharply curling up to embryo position and get constipated to standstill point for 3-4 days until 1 box of Buscopan frees me from my hell. Starts 10-30 minutes after consuming gluten depending on the type of food.

Crohn's ring the bells but it could not be proven. I sometimes wonder but I don't get their kind of running belly. Running yes, just not the way they describe, and mucus yes too. But most times my belly just 'stalls'. Stops working on the stuff.

Thanks for this and thanks for the bump

There are a number of things your digestive problems could be. Without an accurate diagnosis, it's difficult to point you towards a support group who could help you. I have Fibromyalgia which causes IBS (Irritable Bladder Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and some of the symptoms you describe. At one point, my local teaching hospital thought I had either gluten intolerance or Coeliac Disease. It turned out to be a duodenal ulcer which ruptured and resulted in my being rushed to hospital at 4.30 am on a Sunday morning, less 5 litres of blood. The bug that causes duodenal and gastric ulcer probably caused the FMS (It trashed my motor nerves.) and I have to use a motorised wheelchair when I go out anywhere, but thanks to some very caring people at South Western Ambulance Service and Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, and some brilliant GPs, I am alive and posting on Legal Beagles.

I'll bump this thread again for a consumer debt specialist.

B U M P

**wales01man** · 27th February 2014, 23:19:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Having read some of your problems,you need to see the Doctor and get specialist Medical and Dietary advice whatever happenned in the past in another country needs to be told to health professionals.
All you money problems can be helped with advice much of which may come from this sitebut your medical needs are really a priority

**QueenAnne** · 27th February 2014, 23:47:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Originally posted by bluebottle View Post

There are a number of things your digestive problems could be. Without an accurate diagnosis, it's difficult to point you towards a support group who could help you. I have Fibromyalgia which causes IBS (Irritable Bladder Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and some of the symptoms you describe. At one point, my local teaching hospital thought I had either gluten intolerance or Coeliac Disease. It turned out to be a duodenal ulcer which ruptured and resulted in my being rushed to hospital at 4.30 am on a Sunday morning, less 5 litres of blood. The bug that causes duodenal and gastric ulcer probably caused the FMS (It trashed my motor nerves.) and I have to use a motorised wheelchair when I go out anywhere, but thanks to some very caring people at South Western Ambulance Service and Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, and some brilliant GPs, I am alive and posting on Legal Beagles.

I'll bump this thread again for a consumer debt specialist.

B U M P

You mean Helicobacter Pilori caused that? I found your story really inspirational about how to survive. And scary re how the docs still don't get it right until it's too late and the answer waves a white flag giving up to just be found...

**QueenAnne** · 27th February 2014, 23:56:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Originally posted by wales01man View Post

Having read some of your problems,you need to see the Doctor and get specialist Medical and Dietary advice whatever happenned in the past in another country needs to be told to health professionals.
All you money problems can be helped with advice much of which may come from this sitebut your medical needs are really a priority

Thanks and I came to the same conclusion recently, with the stress it really gets out of hand despite the diet which used to control as if I had no problems at all.
My main concern is, to detect gluten intolerance and Coeliac, one has to go on a "gluten-diet" (normal stuff with gluten) for at least two weeks. With my symptoms I dread that and it really sounds impossible but without it, there's no blood test to show the result - as far as I know. And also another problem is I can't swallow tubes, after I almost suffocated on one (the tube that has a little camera and a little clip at the end so they can see and take samples from your stomach for example) - it has that plastic thing to bite on (that one had, I had at other occasions tubes that didn't) and the silly doc didn't realise he pushed the thing down my throat until I got hysterical almost passing out there. Since then even dentist is an absolute nightmare. To detect what's up in my bowels they'de push tubes up and such and that scares me.

**bluebottle** · 28th February 2014, 08:30:AM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Originally posted by QueenAnne View Post

You mean Helicobacter Pilori caused that? I found your story really inspirational about how to survive. And scary re how the docs still don't get it right until it's too late and the answer waves a white flag giving up to just be found...

Helicobacter Pylori causes duodenal and gastric ulcers. This was discovered by two Australian doctors in 1982. It is treated by giving the patient 4g Amoxicillin and 2g Clarithromycin in combination over a seven-day period. The bacteria is dead by Day Four. Unfortunately, HP is a bugger to detect and it can breach the tissue/blood barrier. If it gets into the bloodstream and migrates around the body, it can cause massive damage to your internal organs. Being a bacteria and not a virus, it doesn't show up on a blood test, especially a Viral Screen. With the endoscopy examinations you refer to in your post, I am surprised you were not offered the option of being given a sedative which makes the endoscopy a lot easier to carry out. You do belch a lot as they pump air down into your stomach to dilate it, but it is kinder and much less traumatic than having the endoscope shoved down your throat without it. With regard to the doctors only finding the HP until it was too late, unfortunately, I did have a high pain threshold which meant there was little evidence of the pain associated with ulcers, just indigestion-type discomfort now and again. My pain threshold is now virtually non-existent as FMS affects the body's ability to deal with pain, though acupuncture helps. I'm going to hospital this morning so the physios can use me as a human dartboard! Lol! At least it gives me four days relatively free from pain.

**wales01man** · 28th February 2014, 08:36:AM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Don't be scared of an Endoscophy tube with Camera ask for knock out drops you will not fear a thing or know it all procedures in hospital can be undertaken while you are semi conscious you have to ask to treat you properly Doctors need to know everything

**QueenAnne** · 28th February 2014, 18:35:PM

Re: Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

The endoscopy were done "at home" - sounds like I'm coming from the middle ages. But yea they don't sedate in my home country (they didn't 5 yrs ago when I last had this.) They just shove down your throat, that's exactly the correct way to put it. they tell you to lay down on your side, open your mouth, take a deep breath - and they push it down your throat. And breathe deeply through your nose if you can, try staying calm. When I was 17 I had a 24hr PH detector down in my stomach. It's a much smaller tube (like the cable of a headset) but not so flexible. They push it down through the nose, you have to take a deep breath, they push it in, when it's on your throat you have to swallow it (it'll be about the fifth time when you succeed, before that it's just struggle, take out, push in, take out...) and then once it's down they tape it to your face so it doesn't move. You feel it when you swallow but once it's down it doesn't hurt much anymore. You have a little bag it's connected to and have to carry that around. They did this cos I didn't have HP but I had ulcer and they wanted to know why I have so much acid causing the ulcer. (I had no issues with ulcer for about 5 yrs by now, thank goodness so I consider that at least to be behind me.)
That's also why I had plenty of endoscopy (thanks for reminding me of the name) and I was always found HP free, they took biopsies and could never found it. Now I am really thankful for that, reading your post. It sounds like you were mistreated for really long time. I hope you got some compensation because it sounds like your whole life got seriously damaged. I hope your hospital visit went well! As much as it can.

Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

Unemployment, Living on Benefits & Section21 notice

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