clarification of genuine hardship cases

impecunious

Q: What else can I do if I am living on benefits?
A: If you rely on benefits for your main income, such as Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance, there is still possibly a way you can claim; though it relies on slightly different law. All past claims have been based on contract laws but there is another law called the Social Security Administration Act 1992, which says that banks must not take charges from benefits as this money is needed for a person to live on.
If you are in this situation, contact your bank to tell them that you are living on benefits and it should process your compliant. If it still does not help, contact the Financial Ombudsman, but make sure you tell it that you are receiving benefits and your case will be dealt with. For details on contacting the Ombudsman see the main Bank Charges Reclaiming article.

Was most interested to read this! Does anyone else have any more detailed information on this?

silou

Just wonder if anyone is in a position to shed any more light on all of this.,

impecunious

Seems not, silou!

impecunious

I think that for those whom are on benefits, this is not really the right thread: The hardship rules are different to those who wish to claim back charges when in receipt of benefits.

Think I'll start another thread.....

novelli

I have twice emailed the bank to explain my vircumstances, (on benefits, recently seperated, lots of debts, on debt management plan, and carer for a disabled child), they have so far refused to continue to deal with my claim. They are insisting that they have been instructed by OFT>FOS that they cannot deal with any claims until after the test case. They are simply not interested!!
I need to find the right wording, and acts so i can quote them in me response!! any links would be fab.

thanks:money:

Edinburghlass_2

Have a read of this thread for links regarding this...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=517127

k1mmie

novelli wrote: »

I have twice emailed the bank to explain my vircumstances, (on benefits, recently seperated, lots of debts, on debt management plan, and carer for a disabled child), they have so far refused to continue to deal with my claim. They are insisting that they have been instructed by OFT>FOS that they cannot deal with any claims until after the test case. They are simply not interested!!
I need to find the right wording, and acts so i can quote them in me response!! any links would be fab.

thanks:money:

I too would be interested in finding a template regarding difficult circumstances. I have emailed the Natwest and explained mine and they have responded with thank you and passed on to relevent department dealing with yourclaim. So expecting a reply now saying usual on hold. Will let you know if its any different.

novelli

Ive just emailed OFT and FSO explaining the situation and asked for some advice on what to do, so will let u know any response i get.

silou

Thanks novelli, would be interested to know what they have to say.

blackpoolrock

after going through all the letters, waiting and being ignored by barclays i was due start court proceedings on july 27,so with all this going on with the OFT can i still put in my claim and can i put it under human rights act as when barclays stole money from my account i was denied the the ability to feed my children at times due to lack of funds and also i was unable to pay certain bills which worried me as i was going to be behind still next pay day and therefore getting more arears and more charges