Help

momisa

I've been working as a Contractor for 2 years 8 months but this ended on 31st May. I'm now without a job with no idea when I'll find another one but I'm doing all that I can to get working again.

I've phoned the benefits folk today and have an interview with them on Friday. Hopefully I'll get job seekers allowance and council tax benefits.

I have 2 credit cards which I still have a balance on. I've not spent on them for 3 years.

One of the cards is with Smile who I also bank with. Should I get a new bank account as the direct debit for that card isn't shown in my direct debits so I can't cancel it. I've not phoned them yet.

When I go to my job centre on Friday I need to take bank details.

Any advice would be good.

Many thanks

onlypaddy

momisa wrote: »

.......One of the cards is with Smile who I also bank with. Should I get a new bank account as the direct debit for that card isn't shown in my direct debits so I can't cancel it. I've not phoned them yet.

When I go to my job centre on Friday I need to take bank details.

Any advice would be good.

Many thanks

Yes, you should as setting off rules mean that if you miss a payment then Smile can dip into your current account and pay off the balance. If you need an account quick, you may be able to open a basic account in a branch. If you do this you may be accepted immediately (i think Barclays and Halifax do this) and given your account details on the spot.

momisa

Thank you, thank you, thank you

onlypaddy

Just for more info and to reiterate - unless you have a decent credit rating you will need a basic account. It's useful to know the specific name of these accounts for when you go in to apply, as bank clerks often fill out a standard application and can still reject applications.

For info, the Halifax account is called the Easycash:
http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/easycash.asp

The Barclays account is called the Cash Card Account
http://www.bank.barclays.co.uk/Currentaccounts/Keepitsimple/CashCardAccount/P1242557963900

There may be more but as I say I think these are the banks which will provide details there and then. I would err more towards the Barclays account as you have the choice of a full Visa Debit card as opposed to an electron card, according to the two websites.

And you're welcome