Help me help a friend

elfen

This isn't for me, this is for a mate of mine.
He went into the bank (Natwest) Saturday....they had frozen his account. He then had to phone up the DCA Regal (which I think is their in-house one) and get them to allow an authorisation to get his Community Care Grant out, which they did..

Today, he went in to do the same thing, only to be told by Regal they have seized all funds against the OD, to which I said they can't do it, there's a ruling that means benefit money cannot be offset against a debt, but I can't remember the name of the ruling, which wouldbe a great help if someone does know it!

He's setting up a new account as well today/tomorrow....so hopefully this won't happen again (he's on JSA)

Tixy

Hi

I think its known as using your first right of appropriation - and from memory one of the CCCS team had posted a letter in the past that could be used. Although I'm not sure if this is for before they take it off you rather than afterwards.

There is something specific here about benefits that might have something of use to him in it - http://www.corby.gov.uk/SupportingDocs/docs.supporting.released.2008-3.21193.Corby%20%20right%20of%20appropriation.pdf
It mentions the Social Security Administration Act which might be what you need to quote.

elfen

Thanks Tixy, that's precisely what I was looking for! I'll let him know and hopefully he can sort it tomorrow....

RAS

For heaven;s sake get him to oppen a new basic bank account tomorrow and get his benefits paid in there are they will off-set his income against his OD.