My parents closed their small retail business in August and sold off stock and equipment to pay back some of their overdraft which stood at €55000. They have reduced the overdraft to about €40000. They closed due to serious illness and lack of business and they are a couple of years each off the age for a state pension. They are living on jobseeker's allowance only now. The question I have is whether they should negotiate with the bank regarding suspending interest/offering a settlement? They have another cheque due for the sale of equipment of approximately €10000 but I think they should probably have already tried to make a deal with the bank before handing over the €15000 so far? Is there any point in doing this before paying off the €10000? They can't sleep at night and MABS are too busy to see them until January. If they pay the lump sum they will have no possibility of paying the remaining balance out of JA/OAP? Any advice is welcomed.