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Help when the mail gets too much
Afraid to open letters? You are not alone.
Many people have a pile of unopened mail at home. There is no reason to feel ashamed. Free help exists, and every step counts, even a small one.
Breathe first
A letter does not get worse when you open it. But deadlines keep running, even if it stays closed. Whoever reacts early almost always has more options.
You do not have to do this alone. Ask a person you trust to join you, or go to a counselling service.
How to tackle the pile
- All letters in one placeOne table, one box. Do not tuck anything away any more.
- Sort by sender, without reading yetCourt, authority, debt collector (Inkasso), landlord, electricity, the rest.
- Start with the most importantThe order is written below. A few letters a day are enough.
- Just three questions per letterWho is writing? What do they want? By when? The app answers this for you in simple words.
- Write down the deadlinesIn a calendar or on a note on the fridge.
- Get help before it gets tightTake the sorted pile to a debt advice service (Schuldnerberatung). Everyone is welcome there. There are often waiting times, so it is better to call early.
What matters first
Open right awayYellow envelopes, court, payment order (Mahnbescheid), bailiff (Gerichtsvollzieher)Here you often have only 2 weeks to respond. If you do nothing, your money or belongings can be seized later, even if the claim is wrong.
Open soonRent, electricity, gas, health insurance, Jobcenter, debt collector (Inkasso)This is about your home, energy and the money you live on. Do not pay a debt collector without checking, but do not leave the letter lying either: check whether the claim is correct, and get in touch if it is wrong.
AfterwardsBills, advertisingStill, do not leave them forever. Normal bills also have a payment deadline.
Where you can get help
Debt advice (Schuldnerberatung)Mostly free and always confidential, for example at Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, DRK (Red Cross), consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentrale) and many cities. You can find a service near you, for example, at meine-schulden.de.
Telephone counselling (Telefonseelsorge)When everything gets too much. Around the clock, free, anonymous.0800 111 0 1110800 111 0 222116 123
Jobcenter or social welfare office (Sozialamt)When you do not have enough money to live on. You have a right to advice.
Tenants' association (Mieterverein)For problems with the rent or the utility bill statement. Usually for a small membership fee.
What protects you
- P‑Konto (account protected from seizure): On request, your bank must convert your current account into a protected account (Pfändungsschutzkonto) at no extra charge. Then a basic amount to live on is protected from seizure every month. Each person may have only one P‑Konto.
- Paying in instalments: Many creditors agree to small instalments if you get in touch.
- Objection: You can defend yourself against wrong claims. The advice service helps you with that.
How Letter Explained helps you
Take a photo, and the app tells you in simple words what the letter says, what you have to do and by when. An AI writes the explanations. It can make mistakes, so check deadlines and amounts in the original.
How it works