really dont know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!

cherrytrees_2

hi my oh and i have got ourselves in a real mess.
because we went seriously over our overdraft at the bank and kept spending. really bad move.
the bank wont let us have any more money and we have only £3 left on the electric luckly £20 on the gas and £7 in my purse to put to electric maybe will last 3days.food left for approx 1 week.
have had a big reality check and scare today so worried the electric will run out!!! turned everything off we can
we are on benifits only spoke to them today .they cant stop the money dla £130 today nor our income support due tommorrow. they also say they might not be able to stop next weeks money. went to bank in desperation to tell them the position they said couldnt give us any of our money and gave us a number to call. rang cccs they advised a phone call on 12/jan what do we do till then?

moneysavermum_2

things happen in life to make us sit down and think about where we are and where we are going. This is a temporary problem.....you need to make the changes necessary to take control of your lives.

MyopicMoo

I would go back to the bank. Insist on seeing someone in private, explain the situation again and arrange to gradually reduce the OD by an affordable amount each week/month. If the people in the bank won't help ask them to put you through to their collections team (I'm guessing that your account is with them) as they often have more power to be flexible. I think there are rules about taking benefits for debt repayment - if you do a search on here you will probably find the information you need. To be honest, if you are both on benefits I'm surprised you have an OD limit at all.

Best of luck - see this as a positive, it has prompted you to look at your finances and hopefully improve things for the future.

cherrytrees_2

would have been better 2 not have had theod limit but too late now the account is still open and i havent called the number they gave me as i was scared too. i tried to ask for a private conversation and they said they didnt have any where and she couldnt help me. the account is about 1300 overdrawn with a 730 limit. the money going in will bring it after next weeks money go in to 710 overdrawn but we will have no money to live on this week and next.

MyopicMoo

You could try phoning to make an appointment with a manager, or call the number they gave you - I know it is really nerve wracking but realistically how bad can it be? I think that all banks have to have somewhere relatively private if you request it - asking to speak to a manager and saying you are happy to wait until one is free often does the trick!

cherrytrees_2

they couldnt because of snow and hardly anyone in the branch and they were not even staff of our branch were going at 2pm. will call that number tommorrow maybe they will help.

SouthCoast

Information on Budgeting and Crisis Loans can be found here:

Help for people on a low income - the Social Fund


http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits/help_for_people_on_a_low_income_-_the_social_fund.htm

Nargleblast

If you go online to the CCCS website you can try putting all your income and expenditure figures on their debt remedy page to see your situation down in black and white. You could also do a Statement of Affairs (see the sticky for first time posters at top of DFW threads list) and post it on here for suggestions on how to tidy up your finances. Then, when you speak to CCCS on 12 Jan you will have all the info ready that they will require.

MyopicMoo

I found this on an old thread - apparently it applies to Housing benefit and other means tested benefits:

"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.

** inaliable = not to be forfeited.

---

Basically they can't take you benefit money for overdrafts or debts, and if they have you can ask for it back !"

(this was originally posted by Ben-e-fitt)

mavvysmum

MyopicMoo wrote: »

I found this on an old thread - apparently it applies to Housing benefit and other means tested benefits:

"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.

** inaliable = not to be forfeited.

---

Basically they can't take you benefit money for overdrafts or debts, and if they have you can ask for it back !"

(this was originally posted by Ben-e-fitt)

That's right - i think its something called first right of appropriation?
Meaning if you tell the bank that the benefit money is needed in order to live - pay rent etc then they shouldnt swallow it up in bank charges/overdraft. I think they need prior warning before the money is due to go in though, so if your benefits have already gone in this week its too late but i would advise getting back to the bank and telling them you dont want them to use next weeks benefits to pay your overdraft - and that you know your rights! all the best.

mavvysmum

And also meant to add do you have any family or friends you can borrow from just for a short while till you get this sorted out? Either that or enquire about the crisis loan.