Help please- how to get ID and how to get a credit card when you have no credit.

[kblackstone444]

Seven years ago, I moved from MA to NY to be with my then boyfriend, who was later my Husband, who is now divorcing me. Before I moved, I was on Section 8 and and Food Stamps, knew where to get everything I needed, and had family in town to help me as needed. Now, I am living 200 miles away from my family, have no means of transportation (no driver's license, no car), places to get any kind of Section 8 or Food Stamps, etc, are only accessable by traveling 20 miles or so by bus, and I have no credit, so I cannot get a credit card (for emergencies- for example, I have no money at all until the 15th. If me or my son got sick tomorrow, we could not go to the doctor, because there is no backup money). My driver's permit runs out in May next year, and I will then have no form of picture ID. The "local" DMV is also about 20 minutes away by bus. How do I get a license, or even a picture ID? How do I get a credit card with no credit and nobody to cosign? Help, please!

[Teensy]

Hopefully by May of next year, you will have a network of friends in your area (if you don't already), one of whom can lend you the use of their car long enough to take the driving test and get your license (helpful to have if ever needed, even if you don't regularly drive). But if not, you can get a non-driver photo ID at the NY DMV.

Do you and your DH have any assets that you will be entitled to in the divorce? Does he work? Will he be paying child support or alimony?

Do you work? I'd be more concerned about having income (and the potential to save for emergencies) than credit.

[Kidzaplenty]

Well, you can live without a CC. Just get a bank account and a check card. Works just as well and you can usually get it even with bad credit. As for the ID, well, you can just get an ID (not DL) from the DMV. And buses can be very useful.

Hope it all works out for you.

[greenmom4]

I really don't think you need to worry about a credit card, lots of people manage without them. You can always seek out a free clinic or urgent care place if there is a health emergency. I agree with the pp that stable income is definitely more important than a credit card. You can check Orchard/HSBC for a low limit cc, or google for "no credit credit cards" or something like that.

As for rides, can you post on freecycle? People on the list here post for carpooling/rides pretty frequently. And if you have until May of next year, you have some time to figure out the permit/license thing. Actually, I think you can even use an expired permit for ID.

You sound frazzled Just take it one thing at a time and everything will work out. Hang in there.

[JessicaS]

Moving to F&F where you are likely to receive good responses.

[luv-my-boys]

well your first step to everything is to get a govt. photo ID which you will need for pretty much everything your asking about.

1. Contact the local dmv, often online websites have info., about what you need to bring in to verify identity. You will be able to get a photo ID without having to get a drivers license, its 2 seperate things. Its usually birth certif, ss card, etc. It sucks but you'll have to make the treak to the local dmv office 20 miles away to get it.

2. You would contact the local human services dept in your area, usually in the blue section of phone books or google food stamps + your county. Set up appt and they will probably mail you out the paperwork ahead of time to fill out for instance pay stubs (or your statement of no income) phot id and whatnot

3. right now I wouldnt be worried about a CC but getting setup, food/groceries/medical care. If you qualify for FS then you may likely also qualify for medical aid and daycare subsidies. That is something you should bring up to your case worker as not all states lump in all help together. WIC would be another option if you have under 5 kids.

4. you mentioned that your have received sect. 8 benefits/food stamps in the past. IF you are currently on them you might want to call and see if they will give you some sort of verification that you currently receive benefits to take with you to the new county. It may facilitate a quicker appt (you would still need to quailify under their regs.)

[brittneyscott]

Do you work now? Your son can get state health insurance and possibly you also. Food stamps, WIC (if he is under 5), section 8, and child care assistance are all available. Does your ex pay child support? If you apply for any state assistance they will set up a child support case against him to get the child support. You can get a state issued photo ID even if you don't get a license.

There are no credit/bad credit credit cards but they aren't a good idea. They can help build credit but they are usually only good for about $250 and almost $200 comes out in the beginning for fees. So you start with a credit card balance of about $50 and have a monthly payment of I think about $35 every month until it's paid off. Then it's still only a $250 credit limit and monthly fees of about $8 regardless of having a balance owed. Not a good idea unless you are using it only to establish credit and then its better to get a secured bank loan.

[rhiOrion]

I don't know if these are still available, but here is how my first credit card worked:

It was basically a mini-checking account. I put $500 into it, and my credit limit was $500 dollars. It worked just like a credit card as far as buying things goes. At the end of the year I got the $500 back and it became a real credit card with a $500 limit. And it gave me a credit history. The bank likes it because not only have you put up your own money as collateral, you're also essentially lending them $500

I don't know if you have anybody who would lend you the money, but in my case my dad lent me the money and I just gave it back to him at the end of that year.

This was with bank of america.

[Drummer's Wife]

Like others said, you can get an ID card at the same place you would get a DL. As for the credit card, we haven't used them for years, so I agree it's possible to go w/o. If you don't end up getting medicaid for your DS, you can go to the ER if necessary. They won't refuse you, and can set up payment plans. So, while a credit card would be nice for medical emergencies, I wouldn't get one for that reason, personally.

[Vaske]

The only thing I can add is that when you get a chance, think about what you want your life to look like in five or ten years, and what steps you need to take to get there.  It seems like you're totally starting over from scratch.  It's a big challenge, but also a great opportunity for you.

[laohaire]

I agree with the others that you don't need a credit card - or rather, more than that; a credit card could be a serious trap to fall into.

But are you sure you have no credit at all? In case you think credit cards are the only source of credit, you can have a credit history just by, say, paying the electric bill (if it had your name on it). Granted, that sort of credit history would be limited and wouldn't give you an 800 FICO score but it's credit, it's something. But credit is not something you want to aspire to, imho.

[Thystle]

If you are only 200 miles from family is it possible for you to move back? Could any of them come get you? Maybe move at tax refund time?

I know you started this thread back in June but I hope things worked out for you! 

[kblackstone444]

I'm still just using my debit card.  I've found a deal where I can technically get a credit card through my bank, but I'd have to put up, say $100, from my own money, as collateral at the bank, and have a $100 limit to my credit card, until a year is up, in which case, I wouldn't need to keep $100 in the bank as collateral and with good credit, I would up my maximum.  I haven't tried this yet, however, because I simply haven't had any money to spare, much less $100.

[surrogate]

a $100 credit card isnt worth it.  go to hsbc and apply, if you have any credit you will get approved with a low APR and a $79 annual fee and a $320 limit.

As for all the rest, why cant you move back home?  

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by surrogate 

a $100 credit card isnt worth it.  go to hsbc and apply, if you have any credit you will get approved with a low APR and a $79 annual fee and a $320 limit.

As for all the rest, why cant you move back home?  

But she doesn't even have $100. Where will she be if she gets a $320 limit AND $79 annual fee?

[KayTeeJay]

Originally Posted by laohaire 

Originally Posted by surrogate 

a $100 credit card isnt worth it.  go to hsbc and apply, if you have any credit you will get approved with a low APR and a $79 annual fee and a $320 limit.

As for all the rest, why cant you move back home?  

But she doesn't even have $100. Where will she be if she gets a $320 limit AND $79 annual fee?

Exactly. OP, in your situation a credit card is a disaster waiting to happen, IMO. If you charge something, you have to pay it off. I know you know that, but really think about it--if you are truly that tight on money, a charged up CC with annual fees and overinflated interest will not make your long-term financial life better, just like a payday loan or  Take some money every month--or week, even, if that is easier for you, and bank it away for an emergency fund. A credit card is not the same thing as an emergency fund. Even getting started with $5 is something--you can do it!

[2xy]

Originally Posted by kblackstone444 

Seven years ago, I moved from MA to NY....

Is this a typo?