Hello all,

I'm still going through past articles to try to find answers or advice, so please don't tell me off if this is a silly question.

I'm on Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance.

I've also two non-mortgage debts:
- £2000 overdraft at 12.5% (limit is £3000) with Barclays(1)
- £2000 credit card at 16.9%

(1) Barclays Premier Banking from those days I had a decent income a few years ago

JSA says, "This is the amount the law says you need to live on" in the letter I get informing me of the amount I'm going to get.

This implies that debt interest shouldn't have to be paid out of money that's potentially used to feed and cloth the us and the kids and keep a roof over our heads.

Is there anything I'm entitled to for the debts? Or is there something I should apply for to the bank / credit card company?

There's nothing you're entitled to for the debts but whilst I'm no expert I know there have been several links saying that basically since the amount you're getting is the amount you need to live on, you will normally get lenders to accept nominal payments of something around £1 a week or month. If you write to them offering say 50p-£1 and outlining circumstances with an SOA they'll probably fight to start with but settle for a suitable figure as they know they risk getting absolutely nothing if they go to court.

No doubt Grafter will find the links for us!

I don't think I've seen a post from you as to your overall circumstances [ie whether you're likely to return to work in the forseeable or not] but obviously if you have posted it I apologise as this may have some bearing on the overall picture.

Panda