Benefits and Bankruptcy Question

Lookingforhelp2016

Hello everyone,

My question is this. Is it possible to have my ESA Benefits and Housing Benefits paid to a different persons bank account temporarily whilst I file for bankruptcy. I realize my bank accounts will be shut down for an undisclosed period of time whilst I go through this process. The reason I have not been able to enter this process so far is that if I have no bank account to be paid my benefits I will become homeless as I have no money to pay everything whilst I wait for the Insolvency people to release a bank account to be used again or whilst I open a new account should that bank not allow me to continue using their services. I have a normal current account and I also have a basic bank account.

Many thanks for any expertise. I am too scared to ring the DWP to ask directly as any contact with these organisations is dangerous and traumatic.

HappyMJ

If you've got a basic bank account with a bank you do not owe money to then you can keep that one and have your benefits transferred to that account. As long as you spend all of the money that has been credited you can keep the account.

If you owe this bank money then open another basic bank account elsewhere.

You can give any bank details to the DWP. There is no requirement that the account must be your own.

Lookingforhelp2016

I have heard that the DWP and Housinf Benefit will not allow you to have your monies paid into a third party bank account.

Daisy2015

Just get yourself a new basic bank acount and have everything switched over before you go bankrupt. This is what I did (nationwide) my acount wasn't closed and my benefits money has gone in fine.

fraggle45

A post office card is probably your best option. This is a card only for benefits to be paid on to. It has no other function. You will need to phone the people who handle your benefits and they will open an account for you and send a letter for you to collect your card from a post office once you have done this the post office will update the benefits people. The OR won't be interested in this. I didn't even mention it.

amyjaj

I've got 3 bank accounts. 1. Barclays current account 2. Barclays Basic 3. Nationwide Flexibasic. I know that if I should go bankrupt, the Barclays Current Account will close. I have read that I should still check with each bank about the basic accounts still. I hope they are. I don't know though much longer my IVA will be on hold. My IVA company say let us know each month.