How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

1) Check with Social Security and see if you can make extra money above what you are getting. I believe you can do so as Sweepslayer suggested.

2) You are probably eligible for food stamps. Please check.

3) Check with local charities. Explain your situation and see what assistance they may be able to provide for you.

4) Contact your utility company and explain your situation. See if they have a program that reduces prices for people in your situation.

5) Check with the offices of your local state representative(s) and your Congressional Reps office. You'd be suprised how much info you can get that will aid you. They can connect you to agencies that can help. You can after all vote!

6) If you are on SSI you are, to the best of my knowledge, eligible for Medicare.

7) Be honest with your bank and any other debtors you have. Explain your situation. I believe that they may be able to work something out with you.

8) Good luck. I shall keep you in my prayers.

[cicy33]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

There is one final option that I am surprised no one mentioned. You can file bankruptcy. You are actually one of those that probably will qualify for it all to be wiped away. While it is not the best way to go it is an option if you have no way to get out from under. How much are your actual payments to the cash advance places?

[aniceguy_2]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

I could file bankruptcy if I had the money to file.Actually I would love to do so and have really wanted to but I can't even aford bread let alone the cost of filing and laywers fees.But that is on the list of things to do.I have also considered closing my bank account and opening another the same day but I have been assured that would not work to my advantage and would seriously undermine my goals of getiing out of debt and back in a position where I can afford to pay rent and utilitys and grocerys on time.

It is my greatest hope to find a charitable organization or person willing to help in some way.I guess I was hoping to find someone here who might know where I should go for help.Any church groups or organizations help with money and/or other assistance?

[cicy33]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

Why are you waiting to close the account before opening another? I have at least 3 bank accounts. There is no law says you can't have more than one. I don't really think that you are going to find to many places that are going to help with money. And even if you could that would not solve your problem. your payday loans are not a one time problem. you pay on those every month. You haven't mentioned the payment that you make to them. and instead of refinancing the loan why don't you just pay the interest payment, at least you don't have to refinance it to pay the payment. I have one of those nasty loans and they are hard to get rid of mine is about $500 and I am working on paying it off. I have done that once with the interest payment. And you would also want to make sure you don't do whatever it was that got going to one of those people anyway, I know I won't be!

[aniceguy_2]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

Are you sure that you cannot earn anything beyond what you receive in SSI payments?

Yes, I am sure.Social Security, a few months ago, insisted I was over paid by 200.00 and they were going to hold back 30.00 from every paycheck until I had paid it back.I went to the Social Security office and told them that would be a hardship and they waived it.But I have been told that if I earn any money over the amount that I am paid then they will reduce the amount I am paid accordingly.The government watches my financial situation closely in the sense of how much I have and how much I earn.

[aniceguy_2]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

I don't really think that you are going to find to many places that are going to help with money. And even if you could that would not solve your problem. your payday loans are not a one time problem. you pay on those every month. You haven't mentioned the payment that you make to them. and instead of refinancing the loan why don't you just pay the interest payment, at least you don't have to refinance it to pay the payment. I have one of those nasty loans and they are hard to get rid of mine is about $500 and I am working on paying it off.

I don't know what State you live in or what payday loan center(s) you use but where I go, Money Tree and Dollar Smart to name a couple, require payment in full at the due date.If you don't pay in full then they take your check to the bank and deposit it.They don't work with me either.They want their money and that is as plain and simple as it gets.
I owe them a total of 1,700.00 aproximate for both the loans and the fees.As I have said a couple of times now, I only earn 840.00 a month.So I have to pay one off and then reborrow and the pay another off and reborrow and pay another off and reborrow and so on until I have the same darn debt all over again for the next month.The only solution that won't destroy my already horrible situation is to pay them off and not reborrow.But to do that I need help.Know where I could get any help?

[cicy33]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

Actually I think I get it, this is one of those places that you write a check and then they hold it for like two weeks? You have only one option to get out of that debt. close the bank account. open another one the day before you close it. you are not going to find anybody that will give you the money to pay this loan back. (Mine is one of those loan places that I make payments to. terrible interest though.) Then make arrangements to pay the loan off. If they cannot cash the check then they will take the arrangement you can do. They may take you to court but if you show the court you are making an honest attempt to pay it off then they probably won't do anything. If I am right about the type of loan then you need to go today or friday and open the other bank account, switch the ssi into that account and close the other one. You need to pay your house, lights, water, food and then worry about bills. save where you can and pay as much as you can even if it is only $5.

[katwoman]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

For the utility debt: contact the Salvation Army and speak with a social worker. They can intercede with the utility and make a once a year payment on your behalf. The amount was up to $300, but I don't know if that has changed. Then, find out about energy relief programs that subsidize your energy bill. You qualify, no question there.

Catholic Charities (and the like) will help by paying for a months rent. Hope you are on good terms with your landlord. This takes a little paperwork. Don't be surprised if they want a 5 day notice from your landlord and he/she has to be willing to even take a call from them to verify so don't even think about pulling a fast one. This one takes time because you will be ignored or they'll have you chasing your tail for a while. It's up to you to follow through and get this money.

Finally, local agencies (and the Salvation Army) have food baskets that are put together once a month for people in your situation. You also qualify for food stamps. Then learn to coupon. Food should become the least of your worries.

With the left over money you should be able to pay off that nasty loan.


How do I know all of this? I have a tenant in the same shoes you're in. He seems to do just fine.

[aniceguy_2]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

That does seem to be the consensus of what I should.Close my account and open another one.I just hope that if that is what I do it won't bite me in the backside later.I just got out of having a bad history with bank accounts and bad checks and I am afraid that will start it back up again.But if there is not organizations out there that have emergency assistance programs or financial aide then I may be forced to do just that because I can't seem to find any other option.I swear one thing though, if I ever become rich I will start a organization for people like me.A sort of emergency aide for the disabled.

[aniceguy_2]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

You also qualify for food stamps. Then learn to coupon. Food should become the least of your worries..

Actually in the State of California a person on SSI does not qualify for food stamps.Check into it.They(social Security) told me that I am paid the max limit I can earn and that it includes whatever the state would give me in public aide.So I can't apply for food stamps/food banks because my SSI already covers what they would give.Of corse I can't see how anybody can survive on 840.00 a month in this day and age.But thats waht they expect me to live on and that is all I can depend on unless there is other private aide to get.But I will check into your other suggestions.Thanks

[Russell]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

I just read two pages but I still haven't seen you post the most basic info. Yes we know your total income is $840 a month but we also need to see the monthly expenses:

- Rent
- Cable
- Internet access
- Phone
- Food
- debt1 / minimum due per month
- debt2 / minimum due per month

Second, we need to know what skills you have ? What did you do before the disability and what kind of disability are you suffering from ? All this info is required to make good suggestions.

You say you're in CA. What part of California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego ? So far, from what I've seen in your posts I get the feeling you're looking for an easy/quick way out, unfortunately, if there was one we'd all be rich. So its tough but very doable even on $840 a month.

[Snoopy2645]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

Well I would call about energy assistance programs thiers programs like that even though you dont qualify for FS you may qualify for this other than that could you do odd jobs to make extra cash thats my only suggestion

[2moretrees]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

Just make sure that you open your new bank account BEFORE closing your current account.

[aniceguy_2]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

I just read two pages but I still haven't seen you post the most basic info. Yes we know your total income is $840 a month but we also need to see the monthly expenses:

- Rent
- Cable
- Internet access
- Phone
- Food
- debt1 / minimum due per month
- debt2 / minimum due per month

Second, we need to know what skills you have ? What did you do before the disability and what kind of disability are you suffering from ? All this info is required to make good suggestions.

You say you're in CA. What part of California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego ? So far, from what I've seen in your posts I get the feeling you're looking for an easy/quick way out, unfortunately, if there was one we'd all be rich. So its tough but very doable even on $840 a month.

Rent: 375.00
Cable:42.00
Internet:22.00
Phone:30.00
Food:150.00
Debt 1: 117.65 due at the third of the month
Debt 2: 300.00 due at the third of the month
Debt 3: 300.00 due at the third of the month
Debt 4: 300.00 due at the third of the month
Debt 5: 117.65 due at the third of the month
Debt 6: 300.00 due at the third of the month
Debt 7: 250.00 due at the first of the month
Debt 8: 289.00 due at the fifteenth of the month
All debts are payday loans and must be paid in full and since you already know how much I earn then you know I don't make that much.
I live in San Diego.My disability is a bit personal but is an illness that has no cure.I am under doctors orders not to work for no less then three years and I have only been out of work for one.I can do clerical and office work and I have worked for the IRS and various banks as well as been a clerk in a Arco gas station.So I am able to do those type jobs.However right now I am prone to being sick a lot and get tired rather easy.I almost died a year ago and it is a miricle I am even alive to be financially miserable.And lets see.........Did that answer everything?What would you do if you were in this situation?

[gavinmccallister]

Re: How can I get out of debt while on SSI?

I don't know if this would help but if you go to a debt consildation company where they can consiladate your debt in to one payment rather then a whole bunch with separate interest rates.

Does that sound good, anyone have any other suggestions?