WTC / CTC not paid - bank charges & no money

mushy_pea

Hi
I really need your advice & help.
Basically I haven't been paid. According to my renewal notice I should have been paid last Friday (02/09) but wasn't, so I left it another week in case it was paid today, but it wasn't. I have borrowed all I can & have been charged loads in bank charges & bounced cheques.

Called & spoke to a really unhelpful person who told me I'd be paid within 30 days & there is nothing they can do about my bank charges. Is this true?
It seems completely unfair - I get my tax credits as I don't have enough money to live on, & now thanks to their error, I'm going to have to pay more than a quarter of it out in charges! I just won't have enough to survive. Can I do anything? Please?

stroodes

Not an expert on this by any means but do not want to read and run, you can negotiate with your bank and they may drop the charges if you explain, the cheques however I don't know as not written a cheque for years, thought you could only write a cheque if money was in bank or it would be considered fraud, but hey don't worry I'm prob wrong. Best of luck anyway and hope you get it sorted.

mushy_pea

Thanks for your quick reply.
The cheques were post dated for my daughters' Guide camp & summer holiday care, so im not worried about fraud & i guess I can deal with them, albeit with mega embarrassment & promises to pay next month.
However, my mortgage, gas & electric direct debits have been cancelled, & with the charges levied, I won't have enough to cover them when I do eventually get paid. Am in serious trouble.

stroodes

Banks can and do wave charges, please speak to them, other debts can be recovered by adding a few pounds on a months so speak to them to, mushy I wish I could give you better advice and am sure someone will come along shortly who can, my heart goes out to you x.

skintandscared_2

Banks will usually waive charges once a year if you explain why. They also CANNOT use benefits money to pay for bank charges if it leaves you without enough to pay the bills, that's the law.

karenx

She will have wages also though if on WTC so they can take that.

If you knew the money wasnt going in you could of cancelled the DD's to save any charges. What about your wages?

nannymiaow

skintandscared wrote: »

Banks will usually waive charges once a year if you explain why. They also CANNOT use benefits money to pay for bank charges if it leaves you without enough to pay the bills, that's the law.

Oh yes they can and do. Benefits money is just income to the bank. Do you really think they check where money has come from? This idea that income from benefits cannot be taken in bank charges is an erroneous one that keeps cropping up on here

mushy_pea

Thank you all for your replies.

karenx wrote: »

If you knew the money wasnt going in you could of cancelled the DD's to save any charges. What about your wages?

That's the point, it was supposed to be paid which is why I didn't cancel anything.
And my wages were paid on the 1st, so have long since gone on other bills.
So, apart from appealing to the goodwill of my bank, there is nothing that I can do??

Sarah69

I had the same thing with esa there was a technical error and my payment wasnt paid into my account. I didnt realise this till about a fornight later. I have written to esa twice with no response so far. I havent asked the bank as i think its the fault of esa and they should pay the charge. I will keep wriring to them till i get a response!

skintandscared_2

nannymiaow wrote: »

Oh yes they can and do. Benefits money is just income to the bank. Do you really think they check where money has come from? This idea that income from benefits cannot be taken in bank charges is an erroneous one that keeps cropping up on here

In relation to benefits payments only, the OP has a right of appropriation and can direct the bank not to touch that money. But yes, they have every right to take other funds such as wages. My only suggestion would be cancel all DDs until the benefits start being paid again, and just pay the bills as soon as you have the money. At least you'll avoid unnecessary charges that way, even if some bills may be slightly late. I just did a quick search and found this template right of appropriation letter for the bank, but this can only be requested in relation to BENEFITS payments:



Dear Sir/Madam,
ACCOUNT NUMBER: xxxxxxxxx

I am writing to inform you that I am due to have a [Benefit payment] of £xxx paid into my account on xx/xx/xx, and I wish to use my first right of appropriation for this money, for the following purposes;

Rent £xx
Utilities bills £xx
Housekeeping money £xx

I will withdraw the money on the day that it is deposited for the above use, and I would be grateful if you would ensure that any other payments out of my account do not interfere with this withdrawal.

Yours faithfully,

[signature]
[print name]

mushy_pea

Thanks for that template.
I suppose it will mean extra charges though as I haven't paid these recent ones.At least it will ensure my mortgage will get paid this month.
Sarah, please let us all know how you get on-I shall try writing to them too, although I dont hold out much hope!