Advice Plse -Bank chgs reclaim+hardship+FOS

jain0_2

I started to reclaim my bank chgs of £3k back in Feb 07 which eventually went to the FOS. I was made redundant in Oct 08 so asked for my case to be looked at under the hardship rule. In Feb 09 the bank made a goodwill gesture payment of £1316.25 but I asked the FOS to look at the outstanding amount. I today received a letter from the FOS stating that having considered my position they agree with the bank who state that having reviewed my financial position they do not accept that they are under any obligation to do any more at this stage and I will basically have to wait for the outcome of the court case.
I have worked out that the balance outstanding with interest at todays date is £2091.79.
My problem is that I am still unemloyed, and like many, am struggling to make ends meet as I am also a single parent. I have received a gas/electric bill for £988 so would really like to get the remainder of thde charges reimbursed so I can pay my bill.
Can anybody offer adivce on where I stand please? Have I exhausted all avenues and therefore have to wait for the test case or is there something else I could do? Can I appeal the FOS decision or do I have to now put it into court?? not sure what I'm supposed to be doing!
Thank you

natweststaffmember

Do you have any priority debt arrears(mortgage/rent,council tax, utilities)?

Are you sure the bill is right and not estimated?

jain0_2

Thankyou natweststaffmember.
I have council tax arrears that are being deducted at £3pw from my JSA.
The gas/elec bill is right. Originally my payment were made through D/D at £60pm then in Nov 08 (1mth after being made redundant) they hiked the repayments upto £160pm. I rang them and explained my situation in the hope that I could renegotiate a better payment until I could find a job but they stated they were only prepared drop to £140pm which I couldnt afford so cancelled the D/D. the £988 bill is the only one I have received. If I can get the money owed by the bank then I can pay the bill!!

natweststaffmember

jain0 wrote: »

Thankyou natweststaffmember.
I have council tax arrears that are being deducted at £3pw from my JSA.
The gas/elec bill is right. Originally my payment were made through D/D at £60pm then in Nov 08 (1mth after being made redundant) they hiked the repayments upto £160pm. I rang them and explained my situation in the hope that I could renegotiate a better payment until I could find a job but they stated they were only prepared drop to £140pm which I couldnt afford so cancelled the D/D. the £988 bill is the only one I have received. If I can get the money owed by the bank then I can pay the bill!!

Read the meter to be honest on that bill.
If the arrears are being debited at source then I think the FOS may not agree to the hardship bit. See the bit about the bill and we will see where we stand after this.

jain0_2

The original bill they sent was for £1088 I read the meter and sent them the readings and they re billed me for £988. I stopped the D/D in Jan 09 as npower said that the £140 D/D was based on the previous years usage. I explained that since losing my job I hadnt used my tumble dryer or the central heating thro the winter so my usage should be low but they wouldnt change the amount which is why I cancelled the D/D as thought it would be more beneficial to pay the bill quarterly but never received a bill until this one. No payments have been made since cancelling D/D.
Can I appeal the FOS decision as I am still unemployed and will end up going to court as I have no other means of finding £988 as no longer have any family that i can turn to for help and have just had to rob 'peter and paul' to pay for my daughters school uniform!!
Regards

natweststaffmember

You have actually got me stumped on this one so I have asked someone I know to take a look because part of me is saying, you're not in financial hardship NOW yet when the bill becomes late then you are so I am torn in two on this one. I just don't know which is why I have called in the cavalry, so to speak.

jain0_2

Thank you for your help it is so greatly appreciated.
Why is it that you say I am not in financial hardship NOW!! when I am a single parent, unemployed and on JSA! I receive £57.45pw? the bank are still making charges on me when I go over my limit which I try very hard not to do but sometimes inevitable, like when I have to buy school uniform. surely this is financial hardship? if not, then what do they class as hardship?? it so confusing??
Regards

natweststaffmember

jain0 wrote: »

Thank you for your help it is so greatly appreciated.
Why is it that you say I am not in financial hardship NOW!! when I am a single parent, unemployed and on JSA! I receive £57.45pw? the bank are still making charges on me when I go over my limit which I try very hard not to do but sometimes inevitable, like when I have to buy school uniform. surely this is financial hardship? if not, then what do they class as hardship?? it so confusing??
Regards

Priority debt arrears IS financial hardship and arrears are being reduced. It is a difficult one, in all honesty which is why I said I was torn down the middle.