Bank Charges & IB Jobseekers Allowance

sen1603

Hi all,
first time poster here, unsure if I am posting this in the right area so apologies in advance if i am not!

Unfortunately at present I find myself unemployed and having to claim income based jobseeker's allowance (for the first time )

I am due to be paid today into my Natwest Step Account. I have just checked my account online only to discover that I have £60 worth of charges added to my account for a few direct debits that were returned unpaid. I have recieved no notification either that these charges were due to be applied.

For those of you that have ever claimed JSA will know that you only get £57 per week to live off as stated by law as the minimum required. Now that my bank have taken £60 of this money away from me I am left with less than a week's money to last a fortnight!!! I have heard of several people that the banks are not allowed to take this much away from you if your on benefits as it leaves you in financial hardship? Could anyone shed any light on if this is true?

I hope I do not come across as a benefit scrounger which I assure you I am not, Ive always paid my way in life until February of this year and there is very little work on offer in my area. I really cannot afford to lose £60. I have a young son and we are on the verge of running out of food and gas as it is? Is there anyway I can get this £60 back and fast....

Any help appreciated
x

roonaldo

Redundancy and unemployment happen to the best of us.

Its tricky as your expenditure is obviously more than your income. I can only suggest seeing your bank about financial hardship (which sounds like you are in) and see if they can help you.

Also have a look at your expenditure adn look to cancel things that can go ie sky, mobile contract, insurances, which you can pehaps take out again when you can afford them.