BR and opening up a bank account

auldblerk

Hi, I was early discharged, January 2011 and recently went through a redundancy, the problem lies with housing benefit, it can't be paid into the co-op cashminder account and won't pay it to the letting agent.
The only alternative is to try and open an account with another bank and have it put in there but ...
Does anybody know of a bank that would accept me ?
Cheers.

Midslad27

Try Barclays they have an accout designed for people with bad credit/bankrupt etc its called the "Cash Card Account". You will need to visit and book an appointment as it cant be opened online or over the phone.

auldblerk

The only problem is Barclays were one of the named banks in my BR, will they take that into account do you think ?

philnicandevan

shouldnt do...they were one of my largest creditors when I declared bankruptcy...they offered me (and many more) a basic account no hassles

bradztheman

Read my post here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4850724

auldblerk

bradztheman wrote: »

Read my post here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4850724

Well I have a Nat West right on the doorstep but don't wish to just go in, don't have much confidence with the counter staff, would making an appointment be possible ? would also be more discreet if you know what I mean.
RBS who own Nat West were one of my other named Banks in BR.

bradztheman

auldblerk wrote: »

Well I have a Nat West right on the doorstep but don't wish to just go in, don't have much confidence with the counter staff, would making an appointment be possible ? would also be more discreet if you know what I mean.
RBS who own Nat West were one of my other named Banks in BR.

You definately WILL get rejected then, like me, or in my case granted an account with a sort code and account number, and then the account will be closed when it reaches head office and they finalise the account decision.

Better off trying barclays basic account, or the other options ive mentioned.

peteandnatasha

Have you tried the post office account? it's for benefits? To open one you must contact the department that pays your benefits and they'll sort the rest out for you.

TheGardener

Have you got a local credit union? or some employers like the NHS, Police, Fire Brigade have them. Some are large enough to run current accounts.

Mine is not a large one and only does savings BUT they do accept benefits and some of our local landlords like them very much because the CU can (with the agreement of the account holder of course) deduct rent and other essentials like council tax etc and pay the bills for you - like a budgeting account. The balance after the bills are paid is put on to a prepaid visa card. (you can check your balance anytime online)

CU's are amazing and I only discovered them when I went BR but I wont be giving it up any time soon. I have a regular Barclays basic account and am lucky to have an employer with a payroll deduction agreement with the CU so I 'save' for annual expenses like insurance.

Google credit unions and I bet there is one near you.

alastairq

Question...why can the Housing Benefit NOT be paid into the Co-op Cashminder account?

[After all, the OP talks of trying to open an account with other banks?]

Blackpool_Saver

alastairq wrote: »

Question...why can the Housing Benefit NOT be paid into the Co-op Cashminder account?

[After all, the OP talks of trying to open an account with other banks?]

Yes, I don't understand that one either