debt relief order and benefits

jojo1985_2

hi,

im currently in the process of taking a DRO for my debts. I'm aware that i can get my income support, child benefit and tax credits into a post office account....but i can't seem to find anyway of getting my housing benefit paid to me.

From what i have seen/ heard they will only pay this benefit into an account in my name (but not a post office account) and the only other option is crossed cheque, meaning without an account i can't cash it in anywhere!!!

i've also applied for a co-op account and been turned down and i've heard the only other bank to offer these accounts for bankrupts is barclays but i have 2 credit cards with them in the order is it still worth applying for an account with them?

any help please! x

princesspinchie

Can you not have the Housing Benefit paid directly to your landlord? it makes things a lot easier.

Perhaps consider opening a "bankruptcy-friendly" bank account - I know DRO is not bankruptcy but you have more chance of you being accepted.

I think Co-op Cashminder and Barclays Basic Accounts are OK. That way if you can't have the Housing Benefit paid directly to the landlord you can at least have it paid to a bank account in your own name.

jojo1985_2

i've already applied for co-op and they've turned me down and i have debts with barclays, so i dont think they can help?

jamesb1239

jojo1985 wrote: »

hi,

im currently in the process of taking a DRO for my debts. I'm aware that i can get my income support, child benefit and tax credits into a post office account....but i can't seem to find anyway of getting my housing benefit paid to me.

From what i have seen/ heard they will only pay this benefit into an account in my name (but not a post office account) and the only other option is crossed cheque, meaning without an account i can't cash it in anywhere!!!

i've also applied for a co-op account and been turned down and i've heard the only other bank to offer these accounts for bankrupts is barclays but i have 2 credit cards with them in the order is it still worth applying for an account with them?

any help please! x

A crossed cheque for housing benefit can be cashed at the council offices (I used to do this) as for bank accounts, with a DRO if you dont have debt with your bank then it will be left alone.

princesspinchie

jojo1985 wrote: »

i've already applied for co-op and they've turned me down and i have debts with barclays, so i dont think they can help?

Have you asked the co-op why they turned you down? Are you sure they applied for the Cashminder for you or a regular current account? Sometimes they don't apply for the right account.

Other than that, perhaps try for a basic bank account at other banks and be up front about the DRO?

An alternative is a Savings account with cash card to pay a cheque into.

jojo1985_2

thank you!