Out of time, out of options...out of hope.

[Barracuda]

So yeah, my bank account was frozen today. I'm unemployed, unable to find work, and had a nervous breakdown at my last job leading to panic attacks due to stress. I had a collection agency sue me out of the blue for medical bills a couple months ago, and since I couldn't afford to even have a hearing (costs $75 just for you to present your case,) they won by default. Now they have frozen my account and seized all my money. I understand garnishment, taking part of my money, but ALL of it? What the hell am I supposed to live on? I am almost out of food and was planning on going shopping before this happened. And get this--the money they seized is my UNEMPLOYMENT benefits! I have no one to turn to for help. I'm going to get kicked out as rent is due in a few days and even if I got the money, I would have no choice but to deposit it and it would also get seized. My parents refuse to let me move back in with them, even though they have plenty of room. (That is a whole nother issue; my parents have been unfair to me for a VERY long time.) I can't face the streets or a homeless shelter, and to be honest, I just want to end it. I cannot face what people say to do, like "Just go flip burgers" or whatever. I honestly don't know how I will even react to a job right now, I just had a total breakdown and I feel like no one really understands what that entails. As silly as it sounds, I am actually afraid of work now--afraid the panic attacks will continue, afraid I will hate any new job and the stress of that will push me over the edge--not just worried, but in mortal terror. I have no one to turn to who will help me and I just feel like I've reached the end; I am too tired to keep struggling any more. WHY can't the damn collections agency just give me the TIME I need to pull myself up and start making money again? I was going to go back to school; that looks like it will fall through; didn't get enough in loans. Looking for work, but of course, that's a fucking nightmare right now--pardon my Klingon. I have already been through so much shit in my life that I feel like this is just too much. Even if it were possible for me to go to a shelter or something, I'm not sure if I want to. It feels like all it would do is prolong the inevitable and add to my suffering. You guys seem to be good listeners, so I thought I would post this. Thanks for letting me get my feelings out--I just feel so damn defeated right now.

[Buglady]

Holy crap, what a mess. No wonder you are feeling overwhelmed and hopeless - that's too much for anyone all at once. But please, please don't do anything to hurt yourself.

1. Call your local distress hotline. Right now. This is what it is for.

2. Where are you? There may be CSers nearby who can help... we are all over the place it seems!

3. Talk to your bank about the frozen account. I think there is something about creditors having to leave you necessities of life - there is in Canada anyway! (Garnishing of wages works that way almost everywhere, I think) They might surprise you. (Maybe a friend or CSer can come with you if you are afaid of panicking)

3a. Call your unemployment office. Maybe even before the bank. They will have something to say about a company grabbing your UI benefits!

4. Talk to your landlord; show how you are working on the problem. Again, most provinces and states that I know of do not allow immediate eviction for late rent, especially if you can show you had the funds but they were nabbed.

5. See if you have a local food bank. Again, this is what it is for. Later on, when you are in a better position, you can pay it forward by donating or by volunteering. Right now, let them help you. You can't take care of yourself without food to eat.

6. What you are describing, with the fear of panicking at a new job, sounds to me as though you are developing Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. It's scary, but it IS treatable. Your local distress centre should be able to help you find a referral for low-cost treatment. This qualifies as a disability and may even allow you to receive higher UI benefits or have a longer period of eligibility.

Mostly, try to breathe. Let us know how things are developing and if we can help. You are not alone. I am so glad you posted because I know that took a lot of courage.

[TawnyMyst]

You are not alone, I second buglady's post and pretty much everything in it. Call the distress line, talk to your landlord, talk to local churches. They may be able to help with getting you counselling and food to tide you over. Talk to the UI office, they might have something to say about the collectors seizing the money they pay you to live.

You have a support group here and as was said, one of us might be nearby to help you, even if it's just to be there as support when you talk to people. I have sent you a pm with my number if you want to talk to someone in person.

[Aethian]

I third bug ladies post. As far as I know they aren't allowed to touch UI at all.

[BroSCFischer]

Try this website and see if they may be able to help you find some services in your area.

http://freementalhealth.com/

Good luck

SC

[Pedersen]

From my own sad experience, I can say that your account is not actually frozen, just the funds that were in it at the time of the court order. In other words, funds that get deposited after that order are not subject to seizure.

It may be different in your state, or with your bank, but that's what mine told me at the time. Call your bank, explain what's going on, and find out what they say. If it's the same, then you should at least be able to afford some groceries and some portion of your rent out of your next UI check.

From there, the next step is to find a way to fix the problem that exists right now with that collections company. Find a local bankruptcy attorney, and get that filed right away. This company won't allow you to make payment arrangements? Then get all your debts lined up, and shut them all down. While this option sucks, you're in a position of last resort already. Use it.

From there, you can work on rebuilding your life, finding work, etc. If these immediate needs are not addressed, though, you're going to be made more miserable. At least with those items done, though, you can focus on the more immediate issues.

At the least, it's a start.

[Barracuda]

That's kind of the point, isn't it? How am I supposed to PAY a bankruptcy attorney? All I'd be doing is trading one debt for another. As far as counseling goes, I HAVE one, I just cannot afford the gas to go see him. If I can shut these guys down, I'll admit, I want to. These bastards have been relentless. They only sent me like 2 letters months apart before suing me--no attempt to call or anything. Then they just sent me a notice to declare my assets and list what was exempt that I got WEDNESDAY. That's right, Wednesday was the day I got them, Thursday was a holiday, and they seized my money Friday. Collection agencies may have a legit purpose, but THESE SOBs give new meaning to the term "hardnosed". And of course, the bank has already taken more than half of what I had to pay their "legal fee". Why? Why does the American system of commerce work so hard at squeezing people who are already broke? Why can't I keep any of the money I need to live on? Who would it harm if these bastards had to WAIT a little for their money?

[Pedersen]

I listed those steps in that order for a reason. Do them in the order I described.

Step 1: Contact the bank. The bank will tell you if further money will be removed automatically when a deposit is made. I strongly suspect that the answer is no. This will mean you get to keep your unemployment for a while.

Step 2: Deposit unemployment, and use that for food and rent. Everything else, including internet, is optional. If the results of step 1 don't let you deposit unemployment, find a check cashing place, and use that.

Step 3: Use everything else from unemployment to declare bankruptcy. An attorney will not cost you a huge amount (normally), and will allow you to have a better chance of keeping most of your possessions.

These steps, in this order, will provide you the greatest possible protection of the limited income you have, and ensure you have food and a roof over your head.

Use the other suggestions above: Food banks will help if they can, as will local religious groups. This will allow you to spend less on food, and more on the other items you need to spend on.

The notice you got on Wednesday? That was them getting ready to petition the court for a forced sale of assets. The court needs to know what cannot be sold. As such, you're in a tight position. If you fail to get bankruptcy declared, you could very well be facing a forced sale in the next few months.

While you can file bankruptcy papers on your own, it's very easy to make a mistake and lose most of everything. That's why to see the attorney.

Finally, you are allowed to keep a minimum to live on. To do that, though, you have to do something with the courts. What that is, I don't know, but it should be somewhere in that packet you got. Also, an attorney should be able to get this process started to protect you. The advice here is good, but will not help you if you panic over it.

One step at a time, and you'll come through. You won't be unscathed, but you will be alive and able to try again, and that's all any of us can ask for.

[jnd4rusty]

I do believe that Unemployment gives you an option to direct deposit or have a debit type card. They will put the money on the card instead of in your bank account. I know they offer this in my state because when my guy applied for UI he was given the option of the card or direct deposit. You might want to check into that and get the ball rolling to switch, this way the collections people cannot take your money. They can try to garnish your UI checks and may be successful, but it is only for a certain percentage. Also check with the hospital or doctor that you owe the money to, I know our hospital will actually write off some medical bills because of circumstances like yours. They may even just write it off if you plead your case with them. Find out if there is a Lutheran Social Services in your area or Catholic Social Services, they provide real inexpensive counseling and they may even be able to guide you to a legal aid program. Talk to the Salvation Army, they also have many resources and may be able to pay your rent for one or two months. There are many agencies out there to help people in need, I wish you good luck. Things will get better!!!

[Barracuda]

I already talked to the hospital. They said once it's turned over to collections, the collections company owns the debt and they no longer have any say.

[Barracuda]

OK, update, sort of. I am calming down and the..aherm...desperate option is off the table for the moment. I am so worked up though it could come back if things continue to get worse. I talked to a lawyer as was suggested. He said that sadly, I owe such a small amount (relatively speaking) it wouldn't be cost effective to file with him, but he will give me help finding a pro bono lawyer. He's heard of the agency after me, and says they have a very bad reputation. He did state definitively that they can't keep seizing money in my account without filing again and again, and anyway the amount I make is exempt. Unfortunately, even though they have to give back what they seized, the $125 the bank charged to do the seizing is probably gone, even though they were in the wrong to take it in the first place. What a mess. At least I can continue to get unemployment, and I am going to file the necessary paperwork ASAP to declare my earnings and holdings exempt and basically give these pigs the finger when it comes to getting any money out of me for the time being.

[Pedersen]

Barracuda, I am so happy you made that phone call. Now, the rest of everything can be worked out.

Now, what's next? What's the next step?

[jnd4rusty]

I am glad things are working out better for you! Don't worry..although I know it is hard not to, but you are on the right track! Unfortunately credit agencies can be jerks! Not all are super bad but the lion's share are ruthless. Good Luck and I will keep you in my prayers!

[Buglady]

Okay, good. That's a terrific first step, and VERY good news. I wanted to check in before I go to bed tonight because i was worried about you.

(Keep pushing and I bet you can get the bank fee back as well since it was not your fault and it was an illegal maneuver. Don't be sucky about it, obviously, but if you plant yourself in the bank branch and say "I have a problem here. Will you please help me? Who would I speak to about this?" you might get somewhere! )

SO with you on the "giving them the finger" part. You probably don't want to get me started on medical bills, because that will go instantly to Fratching territory, but I don't think any creditor should be given the power to clean out a person's bank account right before rent is due, and ESPECIALLY if the person is receiving social assistance (UI, pension, whatever). And when it's not even the original creditor, but a collection agency that has purchased the debt for pennies on the dollar, essentially betting that they will be able to bully enough people into paying up to cover the ones they harass to death... well, that's pretty evil in my book. And I don't throw that word around lightly.

Keep fighting. And yell for help when you need it.

[Barracuda]

I've already decided that if Chase will not budge, I am going to file a complaint with the Oregon Employment Department and let them know that the bank seized THEIR (since they are actually writing the checks,) money. Maybe if the state leans on them they will grow some compassion. SO sick of bankers' preying on the poor. And it's not with services they offer, either--its all involuntary "fees" they take right out of your account without permission.