What on Earth should I do?

My suggestion would be to spend every second you can getting in touch with that caseworker! Once you get in the system (if NY is like most states, that takes time too), then you can get your backpay. That will get you back on track.

Credit is hard to get right now, but also most creditors are being reasonable if you tell them your situation. Keep in touch with them and get on some hardship programs. If they see you are in a jam, but really want to keep on track (and will have the means), they should help find some solutions. Don't panic if you have a late or two ...sometimes these help you get into the hardship programs and they will re-age once you are on time 3 months in a row. Of course pay secured debt first.

Thank you for the words of encouragement.

I actually just this minute hung up the phone with the DOL. Again - transfered to voicemail and told that if I don't hear anything from her by the end of the week to call back next Monday and they will transfer my call again. Of course they refuse to give me her extension.

I asked if going to the local unemployment office would expedite things.......nope. Since I filed online, my caseworker is all the way up in Albany.......

I'm really starting to lose my mind with all this. It's not like I don't WANT to work - I do. I may hate my job, but I love to work. There aren't any jobs out there. Or I'm told that I'm 'overqualified'.....codespeak for "we don't want to pay you what you were earning" And the jobs that are out there......they pay so little that they wouldn't even make a dent in my rent. That's why I decided to go to Tech school to get some job training.

As of this Friday, the bills for both VW and US Bank will be here. Naturally I'm paying the car note - I don't need the guys in the tow truck sneaking up in the middle of the night.

But US Bank......looks as if they will have to wait. I already explained my situation to them, and sent in a hardship letter with both proof of what NYS will be paying me and what NYS has paid me so far - zilch. Maybe that will help my case with them......I don't know.

I'm depending on friends to eat - I can't really afford food. It's either food or rent (or rack up more debt) And the biggest kick in the A$$ is that I do not qualify for food stamps, medicaid, or any other type of government assistance. I am so glad that I paid my taxes all these years.

People, friends....please keep the words of encouragement coming. I need all that I can get. I am such a wreck that I feel as if I am going to have a breakdown.

Well, worse case scenerio I am only 35 so the Army will still take me.....

just hang in there i know it stinks, same thing happened to me awhile ago, went to re-fi my home equity loan at the bank to consolidate bills, right now payment is 500.00 a month the refi would take it down to 300 a month and they would not do it because im a risky canidate and may not pay it back. (of course i have paid this for the last 7 years on time never not once late) Makes no sense does it?

have you gotten in touch with the case worker yet? It goes to show you honesty is not always the best policy. Sad but true sometimes it screws you in the end.

i know how hard everythign is right now. please do not give up, things really will get better for you.. i understand about the "over-qualified" thing, i was told that for a part-time job at a store, i was once a manager and was applying for a regular sales job and got that said to me.. i would have taken the smaller pay, too because i am struggling really badly..

Thank you both for the words of encouragement.

Nope - still nothing from the caseworker. Called twice today and left her a message - still no call back.

I was raised to believe that honesty is the best policy. As time goes by, I am starting to believe that less and less. If I would have kept my mouth shut I would be collecting my benefits - then after a couple of months of attending school I could have brought the subject up and got my benefits extended.

Damn thing is that the job training that I am going for is recession proof, and always in demand. There is no doubt that it would 'make me a productive member o the NYS workforce', or the workforce of any state. Hell, just about any country even for that matter of fact. What makes me laugh is that my schooling will be taking me from a white collar job to a blue collar job - where I will be making more money - probably close to twice as much after 8 years in the field and have all my certifications, etc.

'Over-qualified'....don't you just love that term?? Codespeak is all it is. I was management as well, and would gladly move back down to labor. At this point I would take ANY job that would pay the bills - but the jobs aren't there. I am also a licensed NYC Taxi Driver (I got my license a few years back to moonlight from time to time when I needed extra cash - especially before I went on my trip to Scotland). For the first time in history, there are now more licensed taxi drivers in nyc than there are taxis!! So good luck finding a cab to lease..... Thing is I may hate my job, but I LOVE to work. That is what is depressing me the most. I'm starting to feel useless.

I've started pleading my case to the creditors that I wish to start with. US Bank because I have a good relationship with them and want to work out something. And HSBC because I loathe them and want to work out a settlement with them so I can be done with them.

I know that things always work out in the end, but right now I am stressed to the max.....can't sleep, can't eat, always on edge, etc.

Thanks again, and I'll be sure to file updates as to my progress - I'm curious as to how this is going to work out also.

Worst case scenerio.......And the Army goes marching along.....

Well US Bank sure didn't waste any time.....

I had sent off letters (email and US Mail) explaining my situation, and how it was temporary till my unemployment started coming in. All I requested was some temporary action/relief till my benefits start to arrive an I can start making full payments again.

What did I just receive in my inbox??

Account Ending in: 1528

Dear DWFan:

I have contacted our Collections Department on your behalf. At this time there is nothing that they can do regarding a special repayment plan, as you indicate that you have no means in which to repay. They do however, suggest that you cease from using your account or possibly considering closing the account to prevent your balance from increasing due to purchases.

Once you have received your unemployment benefits you can contact our Collections Department at 1-877-xxx-xxxx to discuss a hardship program.

Please contact us again if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Linda Luthi
Team Manager

Well.....I expected the account to go to collections, but not this quickly. Now the question of the day - make a full payment when the bill comes, make a partial pamet, or make no payment at all???

I have no intentions of closing the account (not at this moment anyway), as I want to see if I can salvage my relationship with them. O course I will cease using it, and cancel the two $1.95 recurring subscriptions being charged to it monthly.

The ball is definitely in their court right now. Question is, how do I handle it? Full payment, partial good-faith payment, or just stop paying?

OK......

I just opened up my US Bank World Perks Visa statement.

They did keep to their word and lowered interest rates. The BT rates remained the same. Purchases dropped to 13%.....a whopping .75% drop!!! so much for a significant drop...... :angry: Cash advance rate - still at 20.99 (still less than most other cards though....)

However what I find funny is that they credited my annual membership fee back to me......whats up with that??? That's also along with the raised credit limit.

My minimum payment due is $372.00. The interest applied is $149.36

How should I handle this one?
Make one last payment in full?
Make a lesser payment as a gesture of good will, and include a letter reminding hem of my situation and enclose documentation that supports it?
Or just not pay it at all?

Would making a partial payment make less of a ding than not making a payment at all?

Should I send them yet another letter with supporting documentation, and try to get them to accept the lower payment and lower the interest rate more??

I'm confused on this one - especially with such a large balance. Even if I was able to settle with them at 50%, there is no way I can come up with a lump sum of $11,000. Nor the money to make 3-4 payments towards it.