First Direct o/draft

jkw10_2

Hi,
This is probably a very obvious question to ask but I need help clearing a £700 overdraft with First Direct.
I've been with the bank since 1995. I then developed chronic health problems which meant I was unable to work for 10 years.
During that time I increased my overdraft from £250 - £700 as I only had benefits as a source of income (but thankfully no debts.)

I got back to work but just as I was getting financially solvent and was in the black again, I was made redundant. I got back into another job but have been ill again and unable to work for the past 12 mths. I hope to get back to some kind of part time work again this year.

The First Direct current account has a £10 monthly charge as I am not paying a salary into it and it is impossible for me to clear the overdraft on benefits. To make matters worse, despite the support of my GP and consultant I am having to appeal against a decision to declare me as 'fit to work' and I may lose the appeal and have no income at all. I am living with my Mum but she is 85 years old and getting more frail.

What would your advice be in terms of switching to another bank account? Presumably I can only do that if I completely clear my overdraft?

Thank you.

Svenena

To start with, you can stop paying the £10 a month - if you open a savings account with First Direct and put (and leave) £1 in it, the charge is waived.

There's nothing to stop you opening another account to use, but if you're not paying your benefits into the FD account, they may choose to withdraw the overdraft.