Dizzy Dave VS Natwest

[Dizzy-Dave]

Hello.

First off, great site.

Just spent the last hour reading all the information and it's been really helpful.

I have telephoned my bank, Natwest, to apply for hardship. My original claim was in 2006 and was turned down straight away. I didn't fight it.

I'd like to tell you my situation and then i'm hoping you can offer any guesses on wether i might be succesful.
I have my doubts because the forum seems to state that Natwest are not refunding, only offering debt managment features.

Age: 24
Claim: was £800 in 2006, probally now over £1000
* Currently on income support due to illness
* live with parents
* I have agrophobia and permanant dizzyness (labyrinthitis)
* I haven't left my house for 4 months and I've been unemplyed the same time
* I get at least one bank charge a month for going overdrawn

* My benefits were stopped 3 weeks ago due to miscommunication from the benefits office. The piece of info they need from me has also not turned up at their office. I have no money coming in now and the bills are racking up.

I have a loan but I have managed to make full payments so far.

*My parents are close to losing the home we live in. I know it's now my morgate but it's still hardship for everyone.

Total Outgoings = £400/month.
Current money coming in = £0

I know only the bank can decide but do i have a chance ?

[Amy]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Hi Dave,

It's always worth a try. If you don't ask you don't get.

Have a read of some of the other hardship threads for some ideas for writing to them. It is best to keep everything to writing, it's not a good idea to telephone them - just in case.

xx

[Mochamoo]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Hiya Dizzy-Dave, welcolme to LB:kiss:

You need to get your benefits sorted ASAP! Has you mum or dad tried applying for a carers allowance might help with the bills abit. Start Calculation


As for hardship I am not the best person to advise you but I am sure someone more qualified will be along in the morning to help out. I think it is always worth a shot x

Make an upto date list of all your charges and do and income and expenditure sheet.

If you meet ALL or even ANY of these criteria then your Bank will have to be SYMPATHETIC and POSITIVE when considering these difficulties.

1. The firm will be sympathetic and positive when considering any financial difficulties claimed by the complainant. Firms will not subject a complainant to harassment or undue pressure when discussing their problems.

2. In making an assessment of financial difficulty the firm will take into account:

a. evidence of changes in lifestyle, including loss of employment; disability; serious illness; imprisonment; relationship breakdown; death of a partner; starting a lower paid job; parental/carer leave; and starting full-time education;

b. evidence of the following events:

i. items repeatedly being returned unpaid due to lack of available funds;
ii. failing to make loan repayments or other commitments;
iii. discontinuation of regular credits;
iv. notification of some form of insolvency or court proceedings;
v. regular requests for increased borrowing or repeated rescheduling of debts;
vi. making frequent cash withdrawals on a credit card at a non-promotional rate of interest; and
vii. repeatedly exceeding a credit card or overdraft limit without agreement (and, in this regard, where a complainant has incurred over £500 in unauthorised overdraft charges in the previous 12 months, that is to be treated as indicative of financial difficulty).

3. If during the handling of the complaint the firm becomes aware (including by notification from the complainant) that the complainant may be in, or heading towards financial difficulties, the firm will contact the complainant to outline their approach to financial difficulty cases and to encourage the customer to contact the firm if the customer is worried about their position. The firm will also provide signposts to sources of free, independent money advice.

4. The firm will make available to complainants straightforward information in plain English on the firm’s procedures and systems for dealing with customers in financial difficulty.

5. If it becomes clear to the firm that the complainant needs specialist assistance, the complainant will be referred promptly to a specialist team that deals with customers in financial difficulties, if one exists. The firm will give a phone number on all communications that will put the customer in contact with a named person or a team dedicated to dealing with cases of financial difficulty.

6. Where the firm does not have sufficient evidence to assess whether or not the complainant is in fact in financial difficulty, the firm will seek such further relevant information as is reasonably required to make that assessment. In the event that the firm reasonably requires relevant information to be provided by the complainant and the complainant does not provide the requested information within a reasonable period of time, the firm shall not be obliged to treat such a complainant as being in financial difficulty.

[TUTTSI]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Hi Dave

Welcome to Legal Beagles.

Please can you complete if you have not already done so a spready of your charges http://legalbeagles.info/forums/showthread.php?t=4776

Also can you complete the income and expenditure schedule http://legalbeagles.info/forums/showthread.php?t=5102

You will also need to gather all your evidences together such as any confirmation as to your charges and medical conditions as we have found that if the claim is well packaged it helps the banks to look at the cases more sympathetically. This when all complete will be sent to your bank with a letter fully explaining all your circumstances and why you feel that should consider your case under the current FSA Hardship rules.

[Dizzy-Dave]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Thanks for the replys.

My first road block is not having access to microsoft excel. My laptop didn't come with the software.

Natwest said they are going to send me the forms so I guess I'll have to wait for them.

They also said I dont have to send any details about charges because they can look them all up on their system.

Is this true ?

[natweststaffmember]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Have you tried Open Office?
OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

You need to request the details formerly which is the general process on bank charges forums. When they provide them then you can work out how much is owed. Hope that helps, mate.

[Mochamoo]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

They also said I dont have to send any details about charges because they can look them all up on their system.

Is this true ?

Probably but best to work them out yourself, as they may miss some!

One of the IE sheets (dont know which one I dont do tech stuff very well) doesnt need excel to work.... Legal Beagles

[Dizzy-Dave]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Thanks for the link Nattie/Mochamoo.

I'll fill in the PBS.

Then I'll record all bank charges over the last 6 years.

Quick question Nattie (going back to my first post). I haven't found any examples on the forum of Natwest refunding money back when applying for hardship.

Do you know of any ? I mean stopping my future bank charges will help but I really need the money as my benefits are currently suspended...

[TUTTSI]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Hardship sucesses are found here http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...play.php?f=222

All the banks are looking at hardship differently. As I said in my earlier thread the better you claim is packaged up with all the evidences the better chance you have of your bank looking sympathetically at your claim. My own claim with Abbey I was paid out 65% of my claim - well that was a help.

When you are ready post up your details regarding you claim what evidences you have and we will help you with the letter. Your I & E you can PM one of us so that we can take a look to see that it is OK.

[Dizzy-Dave]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

How can i show you my I&E ? Do you want me to upload it somewhere ?

[Paule]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

How can i show you my I&E ? Do you want me to upload it somewhere ?

You can email it to me and I will post it up for you if you are struggling.
my email is pkea@legalbeagles.info

PKea

[TUTTSI]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Thanks PK, I just Pm'd Ame and she also gave me Amethyst@legalbeagles.info

Dave, once you have done the I & E please email either one and they will check and make sure that it is OK.

Once you are ready to go to the next stage just shout!

[Dizzy-Dave]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Email sent !

Currently recording all bank charges into open office.

Will shout when it's done.

[Dizzy-Dave]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

I feel alot more positive now I have completed the I&E/Bank Charges lists!

Bank Charges Total = £1088.00
Total with interest = £1355.76

My I&E is showing me down -150 pounds per month. Even more now they have suspended my benefits. I think i have a strong chance.

Right next step, the evidence.

This is going to be hard for me as my illness makes my concentration lapse quite alot.

My biggest problem is my illness so some kind of document showing it is key.
Problem is I dont have one. All my sick notes have been sent to the benefit office, and they put me on income support instead of incapacity benefit.

Shall I just send a photocopy of a benefit letter ? Or do i ring my doctor and ask him to write a letter ?

I can't leave the house due to the illness so communication would be abit slow.

The other evidence such as late payment letters are not a problem so I'll get the prepared.

Oh and my parents are holding onto the house by the skin of their teeth.
Is the fact that i'm living in with my parents who are struggling to keep the house a piece of evidence ?

*brain goes foggy

[natweststaffmember]

Re: Any point trying ? (NATWEST)

Dizzy dave, get your parents on here and the beagles can hopefully help them as well.
When you send the first correspondence you will get an income and expenditure form. Make sure you send it to the correct address. Remember the bank does not have to refund but could suspend the charges which in itself is a positive.