HB kept by the bank

cifpower

HSBC is closing my account and have withdrawn my overdraft. As a result, transactions I made before this happened have pushed me over the limit. My Housing Benefit was paid today so I sent a Notice of First Appropriation on Tuesday. The money was not available to me today so I telephones HSBC. I had 15 minutes of being put on hold and being told I can't have the money. I replied, "so you are unable to give me the money that is mine by law? In other words you are breaking the law?" All I got was, "I can't give you the money."

So I telephoned the Financial Ombudsman and complained to them. They will be writing to them today but I am not entirely sure the lady I spoke to understood what I was talking about.

£187.18 Housing Benefit is needed by me to pay the rent and I can't really afford using my IB instead.

ssparry

Could you go to the bank and sit there until they return it to you? I think I would if it were me, I would go and take my dd along to - bored baby in a bank would soon hurry them up! Hope you get it sorted soon though

Zara33

As your account is closing do the bank not usually send these kind of payments back to the housing benefit office that issued it in the first place

cifpower

No they don't. They are keeping the payment to cover the amount over the O/D limit and any charges that may arise as a result.

cifpower

Received a letter today from HSBC thanking me for my letter. It asks me to list my charges for the last 6 years if I want them refunded.



HSBC really are as thick as two short planks.

loopychicken

Social Security Administration Act 1992
Miscellaneous
Certain benefit to be inalienable **

187- Subject to the provisions of this Act, every assignment of, or charge on-
(a)benefit as defined in section 122 of the Contributions and Benefits Act;
(b)any income-related benefit; or
(c)child benefit,
and every agreement to assign or charge such benefit shall be void; and, on the bancrupcy of the beneficiary, such benefit shall not pass to any trustee or other person acting on behalf of his creditors.

** inaliable = not to be forfeited.

---

Basically they can't take you benefit money for overdrafts or debts, and if they have you can ask for it back !


i just found this on another thread

cifpower

I quoted that to them in the original phone call and in the subsequent letter all to no avail. Last week I contacted by MLA/Councillor about this problem and received the following reply on the 11th:

Dear Jack

Thank you for your email regarding the 2 payments of Housing Benefits sent to your old bank account in HSBC.

I will be writing to NIHE Benefits Branch requesting repayment of these 2 payments to your new bank account.

I would be obliged if you would give me your postal address so I can send you copies of correspondence sent to the Housing Executive and any correspondence received back form the Housing Executive.

Kind Regards

Cllr Sir Reg Empey MLA

So here's hoping.

cifpower

Received a letter this morning from HSBC - £187.18 is available for collection at the branch. Half way there!

cifpower

20 mins on the phone and I now have the 2nd payment.