Bank Charges / JSA

[Able and Willing]

I hope that this is the correct forum to post this in. I am recieving JobSeekers Allowance. I have two bank accounts; one with HSBC the other with Alliance and Leicester.

Alliance and Leicester recently reduced my overdraft and I have no way of paying it off as I receive near £45 per week and a bank charge is £30+ a time. Due to the reduced limit, I had exceeded my overdraft limit and received further charges.

These charges now stand at £391 and I have no way of paying them off on a limited income.

I contacted A+L to letthem know the case, the customer service girl took my details and said that a 'specialist' would call me back.

Today I have received a letter stating they have removed my O/D completely and that they havn't heard from me. I have BT phone records to prove that I had contacted them.

My JSA is paid into my HSBC account.

I have spoken to the Jobcentre regarding my situation and they are not able to help out with a loan to cover payments and couldn't offer any advice.

Having read the template for those on benefits I do not think it would apply to me as I have my benefits paid into another bank.

Please, any help/guidance would be much appreciated.

[PGH7447]

You need to start by claiming the bank charges back, the letters are all in the forum library

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...lates-library/

It would also help to read the guidance notes etc

Good Luck, any questions just post on here and someone will assist

[adamrao]

Hi Able and Willing

Here's a quicky - Ring DWP (JSA section) tell them you need to open post office account to receive your JSA money. DWP would send you post office referral form, take it to your local post office and fill PO account application form, once you have your new PO account number and sort code, ring DWP JSA section again and ask them to start paying you in your new account.

If you dont like this idea then find another bank and open a very basic current account. You can try asking you current bank to stop taking your JSA money but it is very like they would keep on taking your JSA money to keep their books right.

Once you have somewhere safer to receive your money then write to your current bank to stop charging you more and freeze any interest they are adding up. You can also send them your income and expense details by filling a financial statement. But that's stage 2. Let me know if you need to find what to write to them.

Good Luck mate

[Mrs_Ryan]

Hi Adam,

think you need to read the post again...

OP's JSA isnt being paid into A&L acct that he is being charged on, it is being paid into an HSBC account that he doesnt seem to be having any problems with, I think the problem is A&L keep reducing his overdraft, and because he cant afford to pay in any money to clear it, he is being charged continually which isnt helping him...

Not nitpicking... sorry!

[adamrao]

Originally Posted by Mrs_Ryan

Hi Adam,

think you need to read the post again...

OP's JSA isnt being paid into A&L acct that he is being charged on, it is being paid into an HSBC account that he doesnt seem to be having any problems with, I think the problem is A&L keep reducing his overdraft, and because he cant afford to pay in any money to clear it, he is being charged continually which isnt helping him...

Not nitpicking... sorry!

Oooops sorry ...... yes Mrs Ryan you are right.

Able and Willing you ned to start claiming bank charges. Unfortunately DWP's Social Fund Loan wont cover bank charges. the best thing is to claim all the bank charges.

Thanks for correction Mrs Ryan.

[Mrs_Ryan]

No problem Adam