2 Bank Charges - Same Day - On Benefits

Boppy_2 · 26 July 2008 at 1:13PM

I hope someone can help me, basically due to ill health my family is currently on benefits, Tuesday of last week we looked at our available balance online before we went food shopping, it said we had £70 available. We spent £55 in Asda and thought nothing more of it. Now we are £12 overdrawn and this morning we have had a letter saying that we will have 2 bank charges of £35 each taken out on the 7th August - that's £70 we just don't have! If we didn't have the funds available why did it say we did

The account is in my partners name, if he allows me to do so would the bank talk to me? He gets his words all jumbled up when put under pressure. Thanks in advance.

BruceyBonus · 26 July 2008 at 4:13PM

Did another transaction leave on the same day, e.g. a cheque or direct debit. Perhaps it was another transaction that put you overdrawn?

If this is the first time it has happened, talk to your bank. Most will cancel the charges on your first mistake.

cifpower · 26 July 2008 at 7:48PM

If you are on a means tested benefit like IS or JSA or HB then the bank cannot use these monies to pay off a debt. When you say this to a bank they will fob you off but stand your ground. Even better, write a letter to your branch saying you will be visiting to collect your benefits and when you arrive don't leave until you get your money.

cifpower · 26 July 2008 at 7:49PM

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=269424

read this thread

Scousebird_2 · 26 July 2008 at 8:06PM

cifpower wrote: »

If you are on a means tested benefit like IS or JSA or HB then the bank cannot use these monies to pay off a debt. When you say this to a bank they will fob you off but stand your ground. Even better, write a letter to your branch saying you will be visiting to collect your benefits and when you arrive don't leave until you get your money.

Are you sure? Tell me where you learnt this because I have heard this a few times and just wondered where this came from.

cifpower · 26 July 2008 at 8:16PM

Scousebird wrote: »

Are you sure? Tell me where you learnt this because I have heard this a few times and just wondered where this came from.

From the thread I posted

Social Security Administration Act 1992
Miscellaneous
Certain benefit to be inalienable **

187- Subject to the provisions of this Act, every assignment of, or charge on
(a)benefit as defined in section 122 of the Contributions and Benefits Act;
(b)any income-related benefit; or
(c)child benefit,
and every agreement to assign or charge such benefit shall be void; and, on the bancrupcy of the beneficiary, such benefit shall not pass to any trustee or other person acting on behalf of his creditors.

Scousebird_2 · 26 July 2008 at 8:32PM

cifpower wrote: »

From the thread I posted

Has this act been amended recently-is interesting this though-thanks xx

cifpower · 26 July 2008 at 8:36PM

Scousebird wrote: »

Has this act been amended recently-is interesting this though-thanks xx

Not to my knowledge, no. I believe it still stands as is.

jonesMUFCforever · 26 July 2008 at 8:51PM

cifpower wrote: »

If you are on a means tested benefit like IS or JSA or HB then the bank cannot use these monies to pay off a debt. When you say this to a bank they will fob you off but stand your ground. Even better, write a letter to your branch saying you will be visiting to collect your benefits and when you arrive don't leave until you get your money.

I'm afraid that they can.

2 Bank Charges - Same Day - On Benefits

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free