IN this month's York & District Citizen's Advice Bureau monthly advice column, we take a look at some common money problems.

Q. My husband is off work with a bad back. We bought a car on HP seven months ago and have already missed two payments. Can the company take the car back? As soon as he is better, my husband will need the car for work.

A. It is difficult to advise you without seeing the contract that you signed when you bought the car. Normally, the HP company can take a car back if you have made less than a third of the total payments. If you have made more than this, they have to get a court order to remove the car. The best thing to do is to talk to the company concerned and negotiate lower payments until your husband's health improves. The CAB can help you do this, we can also have a look at your contract and tell you exactly where you stand.

Q. I am very concerned about my son. When he left university last year he got a job straight away, but it didn't work out. He was unemployed for three months and has now found a new job, but on a lot less money. The trouble is, he got a lot of store cards and things when he began work and he also has a student loan of £17,500. I helped him a bit when he wasn't working, but I am divorced and have two more children. I can't help without getting into debt myself. What should he do?

A. Firstly, if your son's income is low, he can apply to have his student loan repayments deferred. He can contact the Student Loan Company and ask them for a deferment form. The next thing he should do is contact all his creditors and ask them if he can reduce his regular payments. They will ask him to complete an income and expenditure sheet, so he needs to think about how much money he needs now he has started his new job. Contact the bureau and we will send you an information pack called Dealing With Debt.

Q. I have borrowed a lot of money from a door-to-door collector, about £400. I am on benefits and I can't afford the payments. When the agent comes I pretend I'm not in.

A. It is important to talk to your agent and explain that your are no longer able to keep up the payments. Ask if the payments can be reduced and you can pay over a longer time. Do be careful. Door-to-door collectors often charge high rates of interest, so it may be useful for you to bring your payment book into the CAB and we will talk to them for you. Please don't ignore the problem - I'm afraid it will not go away!

Q. I have had a letter from a bailiff through my door. I owe some Council Tax from two years ago. If I don't pay in a week they are going to call at the house and take my things. I can only raise about half the money. Please help.

A. On the letter you have received, there should be a telephone number. You can phone the bailiff and agree to make a payment direct to him. It may be better to contact the bailiff's head office and agree regular monthly payments with them, which you can realistically afford. They will ask you to complete an income and expenditure sheet.

If the bailiff comes to your house, it is important not to let him/her in. A bailiff cannot forcibly enter your home, unless you have let him/her in first.

If this is your only debt, you should be able to make an agreement with the bailiffs yourself. If you have other debts, it may help you to come to the bureau so that we can help you to prepare a financial statement that will be acceptable to all your creditors.

Q. I have had a letter from the Benefits Agency about my Incapacity Benefit. I've been on it for seven years and my doctor says I'm not fit to work. Why do I have to fill it in again? I am worried they are going to take the money off me.

A. Don't worry, the Department of Work and Pensions makes random checks on all benefit applicants. They are not intending to take away your benefit. As you are not well enough to work, just complete the form and return it. You will need to give your doctor's name and address and he/she will support your application.

Updated: 09:09 Thursday, October 09, 2003