Who's bank account do benefits have to be paid in?

Bella999222

Hi I'm Bella I'm new to this forum who's bank account do benefits have to be paid in can it be my dad's bank account or does it have to be my own bank account? I'm 19

Alice_Holt

Preferably your own.

From gov.uk - "How your benefits are paid
You’ll be asked for bank, building society or credit union account details when you claim. You can only get paid in a different way if you have problems opening or managing an account.
If you can’t open or manage a bank, building society or credit union account
Contact the office that pays your benefit to find out how to get it paid.
If you receive Universal Credit, call the Universal Credit helpline."

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/choosing-a-bank-account-for-your-universal-credit-payment

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/looking-after-people/managing-affairs-for-someone-else/

D_M_E

Open a basic account with one of the big banks, such as Halifax, Barclays, Natwest to name a few - think they nwill give you an account number and sort code when you go into the branch and open it - then have your benefits paid into that.

TELLIT01

It's generally better for it to be paid into your own account. If you have an account already but it is overdrawn, banks are not supposed to use benefit payments to clear that.

konark

I suppose the interesting question is , Can your benefits be paid into someone else's bank account?


Of course the JC will tell you to open your own account, but if you refuse or cannot what is the legal position?

konark

Sorry to answer my own question, but a bit of Googling later.


Benefit or pension payments can be paid into someone else's account (third party) if the terms and conditions of the account allow this. The account holder should be someone the person trusts, usually a relative or close friend.- from Government site.

tomtom256

konark wrote: »

I suppose the interesting question is , Can your benefits be paid into someone else's bank account?


Of course the JC will tell you to open your own account, but if you refuse or cannot what is the legal position?

Well if you refuse they can add it to your claimant commitment and then look at not paying benefit as you have not complied.


Obviously if you are unable to open an account then they will support you.


Rocket science it isn't.