A friend of mine is sick and unable to work at the moment.?

Question

She is receiving Income Support but it isn't much to live on so she is getting further and further into debt. She has applied for a Budget Loan from the DWP but as she is single and has no dependant children she's not sure how much they will offer her. Has anyone in similar circumstances had any experience of this and have you any idea how much they will award her? I would be grateful for your advice as I feel so sorry for her but I'm not in a position to help her.

Answer 1

She must immediately contact anyone she owes money to and explain the circumstances, with a medical certificate attached. Banks and some other lenders have to consider unexpected changed circumstances. Try putting payments off (if she expects to return to work in a reasonable time) or offer small but regular payments and keep to them.

Citizens Advice Bureau or similar might also help her sort out the debt pressures.

If the  loans don't cover everything (probably) it is better to let go say  a credit card she has no hope of maintaining payments on, concentrate of hanging on to utilities as they are needed for everyday life.