My bank says they have the right to take my job seekers allowance

[gizmo111]

Have a look here http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/welcome-our-forum/58685-do-you-need-parachute.html

[stitch05]

hi gizmo111,

just had a look, thanks thats very useful info:)

[stitch05]

just a quick update..

 

Just got in touch with DWP and they said they couldn’t help, she said she didn’t know about bank charges and JSA, and told me to contact the citizens advice…

[bottomburp]

deleted

[gemspan]

just a quick update..

 

Just got in touch with DWP and they said they couldn’t help, she said she didn’t know about bank charges and JSA, and told me to contact the citizens advice…

 

Hi Stitch

 

Dont be put off by that. I had asked questions at DWP and get differing answers from different people. Sometimes the staff are not that clue'd up on things like this. Ask to speak to a Manager and if they can't help you then ask them to speak to somebody who can and get back to you. Lay it on the line that you and your child are suffering because of this. Are they going to start paying you by cheque?

 

Annie

[stitch05]

Feeling so frustrated….I have been trying to get in touch with CAB all day. Finally got through and he said believe it or not..’yes the bank can take your benefit’

He said he had just spent two hours trying to help someone in the same situation last week (a different bank) and said he got no-where.

I feel like I’m going mad...I’m stunned at the CAB though…thankyou for your posts just reading them and will reply when I gather my thoughts…

[stitch05]

Hi, bb thanks for that link, I had a read through and some great stuff to refer to.

Thanks Annie, good point… I tried ringing DWP again, and once again the person I spoke to couldn’t help- but as you suggested I asked her if there was anyone else who could help me? She said she will ask the processing dept for more info…and they should call me back. It’s not looking hopeful though.

I have asked for future payments to be made by giro until I get my new bank account details, so it’s a relief to know the bank won’t be taking it again. I have also posted a letter to the bank with the bit about ‘social security administration act’ asking for the charges back, and see if that gets me anywhere.

Hope I’m not rambling on …Thankyou so much for your help and support, xx

[telewest]

edited

[Guest NATTIE]

As I said, it is the LAW that the branch have to give you JSA. If the branch say no refer them to their lending department

[stitch05]

Hiya,

Thanks telewest for your reply, I agree its is disgraceful situation.

I called my local branch initially as my own is in Scotland, and I usually go to the local one here in England-just never transferred branch for one reason or another.

They said they couldn’t help me as only my own branch had the authority to refund the charge as each branch has their own budget. (Unless I have been fobbed off again-seems to be a recurrent thing for me!-Am I being given the run-around or what!)

If a trip to my local branch (well say local it’s nearly 10 miles away) would do any good I would certainly give it a try.

I posted a letter asking for an immediate refund and referred to the 'social security act 1992', this is in Jonnybad’s post (my thanks to Jonnybad for that)

I have proof of postage.They should receive it by tomorrow.

NATTIE, thanks for your post and that info, can I ask you, how would I refer my bank to their lending department?-...I mean do I ask my branch to put me through to the lending department, or is there a separate contact number somewhere? Sorry to sound dim….

I didn’t receive any call back from DWP as yet. I must admit I am lost, if it is the law that they should pay back benefits why doesn’t anyone ‘official’ know about it? (I mean bank, DWP, the CAB?)

Well I know one thing, I won’t give up until I see this money returned…AND I think I’m due some compensation…for the grief if nothing else! (apart from cost of postage/phone calls/petrol to post letter….)

Keep you posted. x

[telewest]

edited

[Guest NATTIE]

I think it is £50 telewest but that is by the by. Stitch- if the branch refuse ask THEM to ring their lending department because they cannot take you JSA that you use to feed yourself because it is the LAW. Yes. they can charge you, and yes they still will, but no they cannot take money that you need to feed yourself and survive. But I do like telewests ides of contacting the media team of RBS.

[stitch05]

GOOD NEWS!!! Money refunded!!!

I went into my local branch with copy of the letter of complaint that I had posted to my own branch on Monday (still no acknowledgement from them)

The girl I spoke to was only a cashier, but she couldn’t have been more helpful, professional and understanding. She said she couldn’t understand why my branch had responded the way they had. She took photocopy of my letter/proof of postage, and after a few phone calls all was sorted!

I'm still not happy with how my branch handled my request/complaint, so I will be following that up- but good news nevertheless!!

Thank you very much to everyone who took the time to post, and my best wishes to you xx:)

[telewest]

Great news Stitch, really pleased for you.

[Guest NATTIE]

Good news stitch.

[bottomburp]

Well done stitch, this is excellent news.

 

Don't forget to do all the other stuff that's been advised!

[patrickq1]

i would also go to alocal or national newspaper and shame the bank,if you could record the bank saying what you have said this would bring it to a stop imediately

[chaz89]

im with nationwide and they have taken £78 of my jsa this week 28/07/2011 and i dont know what to do any help would be aprecated

 

charlie inglis

Edited July 28, 2011 by chaz89