HB paid into wrong account, account almost cleaned out

925dancer

So, I got myself into a sorry situation with some loans and so started using a different account so I could get on top of it all and sort it out. I am well aware of my own stupidity although I'm sure there will be those gleefully pointing it out anyway.

Lost my job and had to leave college and am now signing on and claiming HB while frantically trying to find work.

Because of my former student status it took a long time to sort out my claims and HB sent a payment on Friday for approx 6 weeks rent. Only they used 18 month old bank details from the last time I briefly claimed instead of the new ones given at the time of this new application.

Not realising this was the case, the penny dropped when I got up to an email thanking me for a payment made to clear my account.

So instead of this HB payment bringing my rent only 1 month in arrears, I am still 2.5 months in arrears because of an administrative error on the council's part.

Is there any help I can get? I'm in a total panic, there's no-one for me to borrow money from, I'm estranged from my family and none of my friends have that sort of money.

I'm awaiting a call back from the council and they have been a bit sheepish about the whole thing as when they looked it was clear as day they'd used the wrong account details but at the same time I appreciate they made the payment and I got my entitlement, it just didn't pay my rent.

I have nothing left of value to sell, already cleared out what I could to survive for the last little while and I wouldn't blame my landlord for serving notice on me (I'm in a periodic tenancy) as she's a one property landlady with little room for missed rent payments.

Honestly don't know what to do

williacg

Do you have a credit union in your area?

925dancer

Possibly.......

williacg

I would certainly check this option out, as a colleague of mine co-runs one in my area. I don't know all of the in and outs of how they run, but I do know that they offer assistance, loans and debt management, and they try and help people by providing support and encouragement, in the hope that their service stops people going to loan sharks. They are non for profit community organisations, that are actually run by the members for the members.

Have you spoken to your landlord regarding the rent yet? as although it might be tempting to hide away under the duvet, it would be best to brave it out and explain your current situation, and hopefully come to an arrangement, as the last thing you need is to be faced with eviction.

925dancer

Yep, I actually used to be a property manager (oh the irony) so have been communicating with my landlord the whole way through the process and she's been very understanding, I just haven't as yet told her about the latest development, last she knew she was getting a payment soon as I had been sent a payment


But of course I'll update her, I just know it's putting her under financial strain too and I wouldn't blame her if she cut her losses and served me notice which would really put me up the creek even more than I already am!

RAS

Ask the COuncil to reverse the payment, pronto. Go to see your local COuncillor over the weekend to boost the chance of this happening.

925dancer

They can't reverse it, the money is gone. it's a bank holiday weekend, I don't think my local councillor is likely to be working.

williacg

925dancer wrote: »

Yep, I actually used to be a property manager (oh the irony) so have been communicating with my landlord the whole way through the process and she's been very understanding, I just haven't as yet told her about the latest development, last she knew she was getting a payment soon as I had been sent a payment


But of course I'll update her, I just know it's putting her under financial strain too and I wouldn't blame her if she cut her losses and served me notice which would really put me up the creek even more than I already am!

I would inform her as a matter of urgency, but before doing so, sit down and work out a realistic payment plan that you can present to her, that includes the arrears, it will show her that you are trying to address the situation, by repaying the arrears off as soon as you can.

925dancer

I fully intend to do all of that, I know what to do after the fact but I want to wait and see what the council say first. Then I can tackle my landlady.

Just a total nightmare, I thought things were finally sorting themselves out and I would be able to concentrate on throwing myself into looking for work, well, more so than I have already.

Life's never easy is it!

poppyjay

Some council allow you to apply for a extra housing payment if I'n arrears have you asked the council about this?
Could you apply for a loan from the job centre ?

poppyjay

Have you tried the bank which the loan payment gone out of to see if they can recall it ?