Post Office Account Question

magicgirl

Hi there.

I had to speak to DWP the other day about two missing giro cheques. These were delayed because of a postal strike and they queried why i had not yet opened a PostOffice account. I didn't want to say that I am considering bankruptcy as I don't want any previous mention of it to any sort of organisation until I am completely ready to do it. (sorry if that sound a bit crap!) Anyway, they sent me this 'invite' thingy which I have had to follow thru. As it is only benefit payments that can be put into this, I am wondering if I will be allowed to keep this money. As it goes, I was thinking about sending my tax credits to the childrens dad's account but if i do this, will it look bad seeing as we are not together?? He pays me my maintenence anyway which is what i live on. (I only get £9.15 from IS) and we are still really good mates.

Would I be better off putting into my mums account for example and would this affect her pension or anything? Or should i just have it sent to my PO account once open and hope for the best? Same with child benefit? I am not sure if I can even have all these paid in there and the DWP person was not sure. The post office just said 'benefit payments' not specifying which benefits can go in.

Happy to explain further if needed...

fermi

The 'Post Office Card Account' will not be touched by either the Official Receiver or the Post Office since (as you say) it is for benefits only.

I would check back with the Post Office regarding which benefits are eligible to be paid in. I know tax credits, JSA and state pension can be, but not sure about the rest.

However if you want to be ultra careful I can't see any problem with having these go into your mums accounts for a short time.

magicgirl

Thank you so much for the response. I am already feeling a lot better already. All i need now is to get rid of the kids for a week so i can go thru the rest of it!! Phew!

betterlatethannever

I had my child maintenance paid into a PO account so thats ok, though only as long as it comes from the CSA..

magicgirl

Thanks. As it goes, my ex pays me the money in cash - we agreed that neither of us wanted CSA involved which actually means that I get less money but he does help out if they need anything urgently and we are pretty good mates (after being estranged for a good time!) now. I prefer knowing he helps with the kids cos he wants to and not just cos he has to. I am feeling a lot more relaxed knowing that my benefits at least are safe!

debt_doctor

Hi Magicgirl, im a debt caseworker for the CAB, Your card account is perfectly safe, you should declare it to the OR and he WILL allow you to continue its use - no question.

Only government organisations can pay in to a post office account. Your account may be frozen by the OR for 48 hrs, you must tell him ( the insolvency service ) that your essential monies go in to this account. There should be no problem with this, the insolvency service are very proffessional .