Nationwide took weeks worth of JSA :(

[Silky444]

The woman on the phone told me they are unable to refund bank charges to someone who is receiving Job Seekers Allowance, baring in mind I only get £30 a week and the bank charge was 2x £15.

 

They told me today I have a £15 fee but they said they would cancel that on and then she said I'll have another one for £20 cos my account it overdrawn by 52p baring in mind they are the reason it's overdrawn.. I told them I get JSA on monday, she said it's more than likely to get the £20 fee but she said i could phone them up and they may be able to refund it in joint with the £15 one they refunded today.

 

How do i go on about getting my £30 back She said i don't fit the criteria.. Hmmm :evil:

[AA99]

Hi Silky, shame for you! I am pretty sure they are not allowed to use your benefits for their own charges. I am about to do battle with them for my son's account which was only ever deposits of JSA, an interest charge of £1.24 on a balance of £0 in October 2009 has now snowballed into nearly £200 of monthly overdraft and interest charges which they are now hounding him on the phone for!!!

 

Have just been looking in the library for the relevant letter regarding charges on benefits but couldn't find it. I shall ask site team to direct us there

 

In the meantime, open a basic account with someone else, even the Post Office where you can get your benefits paid in and where no charges can be made

[IdaInFife]

Obvioulsy disregard the reclaiming of charges for the moment but this link should explain benefits and charges:

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?125278-Your-bank-is-taking-your-benefits-in-charges

[dx100uk]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/content.php?578-Right-of-Appropriation-Stop-the-bank-from-taking-your-money

 

and

 

you may have a claim under "hardship

" rules.

 

 

dx

 

[AA99]

Thanks for the replies Site Team So, it looks like the banks can take their bank charges out of benefits deposited. I really thought they couldn't. I think I'd better send son into his Job Centre for that letter...... what's the bet they don't know anything about it?!

 

I may just draw up my own letter here tomorrow and let you see it Silky

[dx100uk]

there have been successes here with nationwide using the hardship route

and they have put the money back

 

dx

[AA99]

Thanks dx I will try my own letter first then, and maybe copy my local MP in. He's a very effective chap!

[ErikaPNP]

JSA should be more than £30 per week. It's £51.85 for singles under 25 and £65.45 for singles aged over 25, unless deductions are being made for one reaso or another - so I'd encourage this to be queried with the DWP. In the meantime, you can ask for the JSA to be paid by postal giro instead of into the bank. They will do this if the bank are taking your benefit for bank charges, but they can't replace any payments already made to the account, or the one that is due to credit tomorrow. For information, they can recall a payment that's going to an account up until 11:30 the day before it is due to credit. At least if the payment is made by postal giro in the meantime, the bank can't touch the money.

 

To survive in the short term until the next JSA payment is made, a crisis loan is an option.

[AA99]

Just had a telephone conversation with Nationwide's collections dept regarding my son's account. I did tell them it was recorded

They are crediting his account with all charges and interest, reducing it to 0 balance, and closing the account with no adverse credit rating effect