I emailed Next and Isme with a list of my income and outgoings and asked them to accept a reduced payment of £36 a month. I explained that I only have Carer's Allowance and Income Support totalling £72 a week. I have £18 a week left so I offered both catalogues half of this. Isme not replied yet but Next have refused my offer but said they will accept £54 a month with no interest or charges. Can anyone please advise me on how to respond as I cannot afford more than £36 a month?

You made the mistake of asking instead of telling. Write, and start paying now, the reduced amount and tell them that is all you can afford at present and will review it in six months. Make sure you pay your suggested payments and not wait for them to agree.

Thank you. I paid them £100 on the 3rd mainly using money I was given for xmas so will be a couple of weeks till I can pay them anyhing else. Will they keep adding charges and interest if I pay £36 and not the £54 they want?

Isme response today - they want me to agree to £169.73 every 28 days for 12 months with no mention of freezing interest and charges. If not, they advise to contact Stepwise. They want £42 a week of my £72 a week income despite knowing that is all I have. I am worried about informing them I can't pay that much and would appreciate any advice.

I think all you can do is send one more letter along the lines of:-

Dear Sir or Madam or named person,

 

Account references

 

I am responding to your letter dated XXX

 

I am sorry you feel unable to accept my token payment offer of £ XX.00 and my request to freeze interest and charges. I have made you aware of the financial hardship I am facing and the sum you are demanding every 28 days is, in the circumstances, unreasonable.

 

In view of your refusal of my payment offer, I can see no way forward and will be speaking to National Debtline to review any options I might have. It would be appreciated if you could hold any action whilst I do this.

 

 

Yours etc, etc.

You could if you wish send this to their Head/Registered office under the heading of formal complaint.

Alternatively, I would suggest you get in touch with National Debtline - have them help you produce a common financial statement (budget sheet) they might suggest you speak with one of the Debt Counselling charities, although from what you are saying, I don't think either of them will be able to help if you don't have over £100.00 disposable income.

It is my understanding that if they know you are receiving advice from one of the DMP charities, then they should hold action for at least 28 days and also give serious consideration to your offer.

What is your total unsecured debt situation ? It might be worth considering a Debt relief Order (if your debt is under £15,000). Link to Nat Debt below. You will find a telephone number also on their website.

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/Pages/default.aspx

Do you own your own home ?

From what you say ellgee, I really do think that National Debtline should be your first port of call. When you go to their website - click on the Scotland link as I believe there are some differences to way debt is collected from England.

If Next are aware of your situation, then they are not being reasonable or fair.

Thanks CitizenB, I'm going to ring National Debtline for advice and hopefully they can help me move forward.