Single mum on last £30 HELP PLEASE!!

tigtag02

dizzyb wrote: »

i have just realised that i have another basic current ac with hsbc with about 60p in it. If i re-direct my benefits into this account, is it protected? i mean... can they take money from this account to repay monies owed for other account? or is it safer to open a bank account with a different bank all together?

Thanks (argh!! late for school now!!!)

Hi dizzyb

In theory they cant (see my link above) BUT that doesnt mean they wont in the vain hope that customers dont know the rules.

I would open an account with a totally different bank, building society or even Post Office to be on the safe side.

Now get on that school run

sparklygirl1

Not too sure on that one. I know how you must feel, my Mum brought three of us up on her own and there was times when money was really tight. I mean £2 for food for the weekend....... Also if you are really stuck you could always get in touch with local salvation army. THey have funds for this sort of thing. Don't feel bad. Life is hard.
Keep us posted hun.

duchy

It doesn't need to be a proper bank account. Benefit can be paid into any sort of savings account so check for any old accounts with a different bank or building society. I'd suspect HSBC might pillage a savings account so even opening a basic savings account elsewhere would be better. They shouldn't but you can't afford to risk it at this point.
DSS should give you a crisis loan -won't be much and do a search on here first to find out the criteria so you know what to ask for it for (ie not sure if they will give it for debt ).
Lots of places are looking for part-time Christmas staff so get your CV out everywhere you can or just walk the high street dropping it in anywhere likely (on your way back from the DSS so you save the bus fare). Don't worry about cover for Christmas holidays yet-just find a job for now so you can claim WTC any job that is 16 hours will do for this. Don't be picky -it's a short term measure not a job for life If you need childcare for odd hours ask your friends most people will help out short-term -check out after school clubs/breakfast clubs etc-it isn't forever just until you find something with better hours and to tide you over and WTC will pay most of the costs for the clubs over and above your normal payment.
And have a HUG it WILL get better I promise

luxor4t

Just to add my agreement: you are in the right place, and will find help and advice here.
The CAB will be able to check you are getting your full entitlement of benefits and will then help you plan your budget - including advice about debt management. Then you can deal with the bank.
I agree with Sparklygirl, the Salvation Army (and many, many other churches) have food banks etc - our church has 'mercy boxes' of food + small amounts of cash = we WANT to give them to anyone in need.

sparklygirl1

Dizzyb, hope you ok.

PasturesNew

Nobody's asked for an SOA either... normally one of the first things a poster is asked for.

millionaire_in_training

hi there. Get on the phone to Dept for work and pensions and change your method of payment. Until you decide where you want the money paid into ask for a cheque payment. You can cash this in the post office. You might have to request this in writing but make sure the processor knows not to pay any more benefit into your account. You can do the same with your child benefit and tax credits. Good luck

C_Ronaldo

Yes a SOA was mentioned, see if you can get this done,

Karmacat

Yep, I asked for an soa in post 4.

southernscouser

Not sure if anyone has already suggested this but you need to pop into a bank who you have no debts with, and open their most basic bank account. You then need to start getting all your wages/benefits paid in to this account. At the moment your money is being swallowed up by limits and charges.

This way you will at least have the money to pay for the important things like food, roof over your head, heating etc.

Your debts are not your priority right now. Thats not to say you should ignore them coz sadly they won't go away, but you can't give them what you don't have.

As people have already asked, pop a statement of accounts up and we can give you more detailed and accurate advice.