Halifax Additional Permitted Subscription(s) (APS) ISA(s)

bogwort47

Hi All
Not been here for a while.  What I want to talk about is a bit difficult as, it is related to my late Wife's 2 x FRISAs with the Halifax.  I seem to have hit a problem with the Halifax which I want to share with anyone else who is recently bereaved and their spouse had ISAs with the Halifax.  In principle, the 2 FRISAs both mature within the 3 year limit after the DoD - all good so far.  1 a/c matured this April gone and the 2nd is due next April.  Long/short,  I asked for the 1st a/c to be transferred to an ISA in my name, after it matured, as part of an APS at 'closure', intending to do the same thing with the 2nd a/c next year.  The next thing I know is that the 1st a/c has been closed and the money moved into a non-ISA account in my name at 0.01% down from the previous as a Variable Instant ISA, post maturity, at 0.2%.  Then I am told that unless or untiI I close the 2nd ISA the APS will not become valid to re-invest in ISAs. The 2nd is >>> 1st, so closure before next April is not an option really.  Using this year's ISA allowance is not possible and for tax reasons, the ISA status of the money needs to be maintained.  I have been in 'discussions' with the Halifax who are adamant that they had to close the ISA because it had matured and a dead person cannot hold a Variable Instant ISA.
As I see it my Wife passed away in June, which I think came after the 5th April this year, so the reason given by the Halifax appears incorrect; the law changed then.  The discussions are nearly at the Ombudsman stage now.  

Interestingly, although the Halifax Bereavement website says that Instructions and forms will be issued, unlike other banks they do not seem to exist, and the only thing I can find is in the TS & Cs small print saying that for multiple ISAs re-investment cannot start until the last ISA has been closed.  When the maturity notice arrived in March, there were no instructions or forms, just a note to say ring this number.  I did and said I wanted to enquire about APS and I was told that applications could only be made in person at a Branch.  I explained that I had just had ( 3 weeks before) a triple bypass and was in isolation, but no alternative was suggested.  Throughout most of April no matter who I spoke to there was no change in the 'unhelpfulness' until I submitted a second complaint, then I thought I had a break through, but it all stalled again because of the 'rogue' closure of the first a/c.

Dealing with this has been difficult to say the least and to be honest I have nearly chucked the towel in a couple of times.  Notwithstanding, even with the Halifax hotline for over 70s, it is now 3 months on with no progress.  Yes, I want a settlement for me, but I am also very concerned that there are other bereaved spouses about that may also have experienced similar difficulties with the Halifax and because of their bereavement have not had the strength to fight back.
I sincerely hope not, but if any of this rings a bell with you, please let me know.  If you would prefer not to post but message me 1 to 1 that's fine - I quite understand.

bubieyehyeh

A relative is having the same problem with Halifax. They are insisting someone who is shielding must make a appointment in branch, and offer no alternative.