Job and credit card debt

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I am not sure if this is the right area but hopefully I can get some responses. I'm 35 an aspie and on SSDI. I haven't worked in nearly 3 years, the last placed I worked I only lasted two weeks. I have a degree in Radio/TV production and have worked in both fields. I have a vocational councilor and working with an employment specialist. I have had just one job interview and that was last year. I have applied to 9 jobs so far this year and keep getting thanks but no thanks on the ones I applied for. I am not sure how long I want to continue applying for jobs at age 36,37, etc. I am appx $10,000 in credit card debt. My Father does help me in terms of making the minimum payment on the 5 credit cards I have. My fair credit I have would not qualify me to get a loan to pay it off. Does anyone know of any federal or state programs for people who are on the ASD to help pay off credit card debt? I really o not want to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

I'm glad your dad is helping you with the minimum payments.

I'm sorry you are having such difficulty finding work. I'm thinking: maybe you should branch out and obtain a clerical job in an office.

Don't file for bankruptcy. I would do that only as a LAST LAST resort.

When you get a job, you could speak with the credit card company about maybe reducing the interest rate on the card/cards. Or you can enter a Debt Management Plan and pay monthly that way.

I have looked into clerical jobs, as for reducing the interest rate I did that on one of my cards the rest were all fixed rate. Did thought about debt management programs and just didn't feel right.

Take any and all work you can get!

Cleaner in a shopping centre, advertising mail delivery, dog walker, stacking shelves in a supermarket. Regardless of how little it pays it's still money coming in, money you can use to reduce your debt. Having a job, any job at all is the best stepping stone for finding your way into a higher paying job. Work multiple casual and on call jobs, make yourself available at short notice.

I'm in a similar boat but I only have an overdraft (£1700 / $2400) to pay off and i'm getting supported by an immediate family member for food, rent, utilities and internet.

I would take any job as has previously been mentioned but there aren't any or employers are extremely picky on who they want to hire, it will take me a miracle to get a job in this day and age. I'd even take a volunteer job, and I know that they usually take people onto paid roles if they think you're good enough, but even volunteer jobs are harder to get into.

First off, if they got a judgement against you, they cannot collect from SSDI so you are collection proof as of today. If it gets to the point where one of these creditors does sue you, make sure that you inform your bank that the proceeds in you account are SSDI only so that the bank knows they cannot set them aside in a garnishment order.

If you can pay the minimums on all the cards and still survive (doubtful), they you should at least do that. If you cannot do so, then just stop payment and get call ID on your phone because they will call and get nasty. If you stop paying, also learn about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Telecommunications Practices Act (TCPA) so that you know what your rights are and what the collectors can and cannot do.

If you can, get as much work as possible and start setting money aside to pay these off. If you are paying the minimums, then send any extra funds to the lowest amount card until it is paid off and then work from there until you pay all of them off. If you stop paying, save up about 25% - 50% of the amount on the lowest card and then make an offer (low to begin) to settle that account and work from there. Expect it to take more than one phone call.

As for Bankruptcy, you are right to save that as a last resort. If might have worked for some people but for me, it was an emotionally horrible time. It is not as easy as people say it will be.