Benefits and overdrafts

inapickle2011

Unfortunately I have found myself recently unemployed and at the moment I am claiming JSA, I have found myself getting into a pickle as I go overdrawn (unauthorised) and then once my benefits go into the bank I am lucky if I am left with £5 for a fortnight

Is it true that the banks can't take charges from benefits, as this has been happening a few months now and I am due to speak to someone at the bank tomorrow so I want to know if what they're doing is correct as I don't want them to fob me off. It's killing me at the moment knowing my finances are dire. Luckily my friend recommended this site so I hope somebody can give me a little advice.

Thanks in advance.:)

Fiver29

No it's no true. It's a misconception born from someone mis-reading the word charge in the legislation.

HappyMJ

inapickle2011 wrote: »

Unfortunately I have found myself recently unemployed and at the moment I am claiming JSA, I have found myself getting into a pickle as I go overdrawn (unauthorised) and then once my benefits go into the bank I am lucky if I am left with £5 for a fortnight

Is it true that the banks can't take charges from benefits, as this has been happening a few months now and I am due to speak to someone at the bank tomorrow so I want to know if what they're doing is correct as I don't want them to fob me off. It's killing me at the moment knowing my finances are dire. Luckily my friend recommended this site so I hope somebody can give me a little advice.

Thanks in advance.:)

The only way to avoid it is to open a new basic bank account with another bank and transfer your benefit there.

You can appeal to the bank and they "may" allow one refund of charges per year.

Do not go overdrawn....

inapickle2011

Ok, thank you. I am trying not to go overdrawn but am finding it very difficult at the moment. Thanks again.

BrettMorganxD

inapickle2011 wrote: »

Ok, thank you. I am trying not to go overdrawn but am finding it very difficult at the moment. Thanks again.

Can you not apply for an authorised over draft? This is what I did so I didn't have to pay charges after I lost my job. My £100 a fortnight JSA and £100 OD kept me going 5 weeks til I started work again .

inapickle2011

BrettMorganxD wrote: »

Can you not apply for an authorised over draft? This is what I did so I didn't have to pay charges after I lost my job. My £100 a fortnight JSA and £100 OD kept me going 5 weeks til I started work again .

This is what I'm going to ask tomorrow at my appointment, I am glad I asked here though as the job centre have obviously mis-informed me about how banks can't take charges from benefits. Thanks again,:)