Help Needed, Can They Take My Benefits ??

emmaclair78

Bit of a long story but I'll try and explain. Had a unsecured loan with Barclays about 3 years ago for £6000. Up until about 2 years ago, I was paying the agreed amount each month no problems. Eventually I got into a mess and Barclays offered me a resolve loan which I accepted even though it meant I would be paying them back £104 a month for 10 years.

Since then I have split up with my partner and I tried to get Barclays to reduce the repayments but they would only reduce to £90 a mnoth. I said I couldn't afford that and offered £70 which they refused.

I have now defaulted on the loan and as my bank account is held with Barclays I am worried that they will take any money that goes into the account.
I am a single mum of 3 and despite trying, I am not working at the moment so the only money I get into the account is Child Tax credit, Child Benefit and Income support. Can Barclays still take this towards the debt ?????? If they do I have no money at all.

I have tried ringing CAB but can never seem to get through, have also tried opening a new bank account but they want 3mths bank statements which I don't have.

HELP

itsarichmansworld

There was a thread to say they cant I'll see if I can find it for you 2 secs x

hugs x

jillie1974

When i went through the CCS they advised that any money that goes into an account of a bank that you owe money to, they can take. the best thing to do is open a new account with a bank that have nothing to do with Barclays and get your benefits paid into that one. Barclays will eventually have to take your offer of £70. If they are like natwest they will threaten a ccj but your account will get passed to another department they have that look after bad debts, this department will more than likely accept your offer of £70 Natwest have just doen this for me. I pay £58 a month on a £5000 loan. please dont worry and if you have the time go to citizens advice or ring someone like the CCS. they are there to help you..

michelefauk

Hi
re the new bank account, if you would be happy with a basic bank account (ie no overdraft, just a cashpoint card and direct debit facilities) I just opened a Natwest Step account last week, they asked for no ID or anything by post, did it all online last Saturday and had a letter today to say the account is open, and cards will be on their way. This might help, get your benefits paid straight into an alternative account then there is no way they can just dip into your money. Good luck and big hugs to you x

emmaclair78

Thankyou for your posts.

The problem is, my next lot of CTC goes into my bank account on Wednesday and if they take that I will have nothing, I mean no money for food, electric or anything, surely that can't do that ?

Have tried to open an account with Natwest today but they wouldn't accept copies of my statements from my online account, they said they need 3 months originals from Barclays.

To be honest, I don't mind if it goes to court or whatever, I just need them to lower the repayments to something I can afford and not hassle me all the time.

KatrinaC_2

From what I understand they can take the money, even if it is benefit money and your only source of income. You need to get back on the phone to them now and explain again that you cannot physically pay the amount of money they want. Offer to provide a statement of affairs (SOA) and pay a token amount (between £1 and £5 seems the norm on here) to show willing. If you want advice on how to prepare an SOA, Southern Scouser has created a guide for first time posters at the top of the first page which includes info on SOAs and other useful information. It might be worth posting it on here to see what else we can pick out of it to help.

You did the best thing by trying to open another account. Where did you try and what type was it? I recently opened a basic account with Nationwide and was asked for nothing other than proof of address. Other people have reccomended the Co-Op and the Post Office as good places to try. The key is to ask for the most basic account possible.

Kat


Kat

emmaclair78

I tried to apply for the Natwest acccount online first, but they sent a letter saying I had to go into a branch.

Feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall.

jillie1974

I went to Lloyds TSB and got an acount there and then. i was surprised as i had a lot of debt problems then as well. But you definitely need to ring barclays today to stop them taking your benefits.

hjb123

The link you are probably looking for about banks taking benefits is HERE in short they cant take your benefits

Storm

If you're worried about them taking the benefits I'd say be at the cashpoint at midnight & withdraw it all - that way you've got the cash & can pay it back in when you've got DDs or SOs to go out.

mandi_moles

Hi !
You can open a special post office account just for your benefits.

I have sent you PM