benefits paid into barclays current account - offset CC debt can they?

[Guest]

Hi I am sorry if this is in the wrong place and please move if necessary.

 

Person on esa benefit due to ill health currently in the 'assessment phase' receiving £72 per week. Out of which they are making payments to csa and rent/ctax and food/living costs.

 

Outstanding amount owed to Barclay card and current account with Barclays into which the esa benefit is paid. Barclays have now written to say they will be taking payments, explained as 'setting off' for amount owed on credit card debt. Is this allowed, as a minimum affordable payment offer appears to have been ignored. No amount has been disclosed that they are planning to take.

 

Any advice how to best handle this please?

 

Thankyou

[dx100uk]

yes they can sadly

get your money out of their hands now into a parachute account [co-op post office?]

whereby you have no debts with them?

 

 

there used to be a notice of appropriation letter kicking around that you cold send

not sure if that still applied today.

 

 

dx

[Guest]

a crud shldnt really be offsetting with someone just on benefits in financial difficulties ie increasing their hardship. how much are they saying they are going to take?

but, as said, get a different non associated account in place.

[slick132]

Hi Ruby,

 

As suggested, waste no time in opening a new "basic" a/c with a bank you have no history with.

 

It could take ages arguing the toss with Barclays who may take little notice of your complaint.

 

Get DWP to stop payment to Barclays until you have a new a/c open.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for all the replies, he has application for another bank account in the process now, hopefully through in a few days. Barclays gave 28 days to pay up or this will happen but gave no amount etc. So he will get this done and just pay them what he can afford I guess.

[Guest]

........ and just pay them what he can afford I guess.

yep

priority debts first.