social fund loans

viktory

fatbelly wrote: »

Guys - it's statute barred. That's an automatic defence should they try a court claim, and they know it.

I was merely answering a question asked by the OP. Even if it is not pertinent in this situation, it may be of use another time.

Adereterial

dekaspace wrote: »

Thats a tough thing to talk about as thats like saying 100% of people in relationships lie to some extent to their partners everyday even if they dont know it.

Its true but doesnt mean its correct as such.

What I mean is that if I apply for a crisis loan you have to tell them somewhat a worse case scenario, when I got like £22 a week as I had a sanction and had to top up my rent by like £8 a week and pay at least £5 a week in electric(thats with heating never on) then had to buy food and toiletries and apply for jobs, I remember being turned down for a crisis loan as I said I had £3 left to last me 5 days and was told "just live off noodles and bread"

On the rare rare occasion I get one these days(got one last week as they forgot to send my payment) and before that was 18 months before I say stuff like I will be very streesed and curled up and afraid to even move as might run out of electric as I have like a pound left in meter and means I have to live off stale bread for days and water.

Thats all true and I really will be stressed if I have no cash but I could survive it but have permanent panic attacks till I get cash.

I got £20 to last me 6 days and have to pay first 2 payments back at around £8.60 then the remainder the 3rd week.

Not that great is it!

If you're sanctioned you cannot get a crisis loan unless the reason for the crisis is entirely outside your control. Spending a reduced benefit payment and not budgetting is not a good reason - the law is extremely strict on that. You cannot use a Crisis Loan to get around a sanction.

You do realise the rules of CLs have changed and you can only have 3 in 12 months (unless they're genuine alignments to benefit or wages and possibly not even then) from 4th April?

If you're paying £8.60 a week I guess you either have a high level of benefit income or you've got so much Social Fund debt that they had to reschedule your payments to around 15% to ensure you pay it back within the recommended number of weeks. The usual rate is 5% and on JSA that's just over £3 a week.

liannee22

just gothome from work and ive got this letter from the DWP

Dear Mrs Jackson, I am replying to your recent enquiry regarding your outstanding social fund debt.
I regret to inform you that we are unable to provide you with copies of your claim forms or acceptance letters. However, please note, we still have the right to recover this debt. The evidence of the loan is on out computer system. This contains details of when the loans terms and conditions were notified to you. The burden of proof is with you, not the secretary of the state.
I am sorry to send you a disappointing reply.
If we can be of any further assistance our address and phone number are at the top of this letter!!!!!!

so where do i stand now???

liannee22

just found this info makes an interesting read, seems as if its happening to quite a few people out there
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?41254

liannee22

think i may write to my MP, what do you all think? x

Apples2

liannee22 wrote: »

The evidence of the loan is on out computer system. This contains details of when the loans terms and conditions were notified to you. The burden of proof is with you, not the secretary of the state.

Have they not got a printer??

You could try an SAR which will force them into divulging all info they hold on you (if you can with these people).
The SAR should show if this money is indeed owed.

liannee22

Apples2 wrote: »

Have they not got a printer??

You could try an SAR which will force them into divulging all info they hold on you (if you can with these people).
The SAR should show if this money is indeed owed.

Thanks for your response, Excuse my ignorance but what is a 'sar'? x

Apples2

liannee22 wrote: »

Thanks for your response, Excuse my ignorance but what is a 'sar'? x

It's a Subject Access Request.

I will link a thread I made a little while ago. The second example letter looks most relevent to you.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43143466&postcount=5

Orville

Apples2 wrote: »

Have they not got a printer??

You could try an SAR which will force them into divulging all info they hold on you (if you can with these people).
The SAR should show if this money is indeed owed.

That is a very good point, if it can be done you should try it.

liannee22

Apples2 wrote: »

It's a Subject Access Request.

I will link a thread I made a little while ago. The second example letter looks most relevent to you.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43143466&postcount=5

thanks very much i will do that right away, should i send a copy to the debt collection agency also? how can they say that the burden is on me! if i never got the loans how on earth can i prove i never had them??? if they cant even proove i have!!! its bonkers lol x