water and DWP

maxfactor_3

Im at the end of my tether.I dont know if this is a vent or if anyone can offer some advice!.Im on the sick and recieve income support and since 2005 I,ve been recieving bills from united utilities once or twice a year saying you need do nothing your bills are being paid direct from your benefits to us.from the department of work and pensions,eg when people are in arrears they will deduct your arrears at £2.90 a week and your normal usage on top.Well I rang united utilities the other day and said why is it not going down ?.Its now £1300.00 and they got in touch with the dwp, and today saturday I got a letter thats made me so ill saying the DWP wont make direct payments because the balance is too high.and they want over a £100 pound a month off me to clear the balance within a year.I can barely afford anything never mind having this on my mind.But united utilities gave me some number to ring on monday of some debt collection agency which will take less than this a month,which I assume would probably give me a bad credit record.I dont know what to do,it was me who told them my payments are not going down,they might not have realized for years.I,ve got the bills saying you need do nothing its being paid direct.I feel like going to my local mp.IM really distressed and dont know what to do.Thankyou Max

Ken68

They won't cut you off, Max.
Sounds like the water company is in the wrong.
See your MP or Citizens Advice Bureau. Keep records and copies of letters, and follow up any phone calls with letters referring to the phone call. Date everything. Don't start paying a debt collection company, this may be looked on as agreeing to the debt.

maxfactor_3

Ken68 Thankyou so much for your reply!.I was so ill over the weekend because of the stress of the letter on Saturday saying the dwp wont make direct payments,because I couldnt speak to the DWP till it opened today.I spoke to 3rd party deductions,I already pay my gas and elec and a social fund loan through this scheme and she said she couldnt see any reason why deductions could not be made for water even though the balance is high.I think you can only have 3 direct payments on the go at the same time so she said I could have my loan payment lowered and would send me a form.I then spoke to the debt collection part of united utilities and she said DWP are at fault and I said no its your error because you have been sending me bills for 2 years saying I need do nothing as DWP are making direct payments and it was me who brought it to your attention the balance was not being reduced.She said we have the statutory notice saying it has been declined by the DWP to which I told her what the DWP had told me that they probably entered the wrong national insurance number.Now she has put a note on my account.I wont hold my breath in case it doesnt work out.but hoping it will according to the DWP.Iam so grateful to martin for this site it made me feel better to vent,and to you Ken.I,ll def come back and log what happens Regards Max.

Ken68

Always nice to get feedback, Max.
Anglian Water do a special rate for low and also low income users, but leave that until you are sorted with the DWP.
United Utilities should have pointed this out, and if they havn't, another piece of the jigsaw.
Have you spoken to our Benefits Section. Link to follow.

Ken68

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=23

If you let me know in which water board area you live, I can investigate general options.

maxfactor_3

Hi Ken,I deal with united utilities in warrington which services the north manchester area.I reckon I,ll be stuck with them for a while paying £2.90 a week,Total £1300 and my normal usage on top.Thanks for the link if I have any probs with the Dwp.It,ll come in handy.Regards again Max.

maxfactor_3

I got another letter today saying the DWP will not make dedutions for me the letter was from united utilities they are being so ridiculously stupid united utilities not the DWP.For 2 years they tell me its being paid and I need do nothing and the DWP have now been making payments for me and I checked this out for sure, and today they send me a letter saying the DWP wont pay it and DWP have never said any such thing perhaps they are trying to trick me so I,ll make an agreement with there debt collection dept so they,ll get the money quicker instead of me paying £3 a week.You have to have your wits about you.Incidentally united utilities have a trust fund you have to ring up for a form and you can get a grant up to £250 for your water and occasionally for a house hold item but you have to fit certain criteria like low incomeor benefits etc that was worth knowing.Have filled in the form.

sarerb18

Read your story and just thought I drop in and say good luck hope it gets sorted. I know how it feels.

Sarer

maxfactor_3

The trust fund has been amazing they are going to pay my arrears 2 years worth.:beer:

Ken68

Good for you Max, nice to see a result.