× Search rightsnet
Search options

Where

Benefit

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction

From

to

Forum Home  →  Discussion  →  Housing costs  →  Thread

payment made to incorrect bank account

johnny
forum member

money advice, midland heart HA, birmingham

Send message

Total Posts: 39

Joined: 8 July 2010

a client of mine made a claim for HB in august 13 and in september a payment of approx £500 was paid to a bank account, which she had stated was her preference instead of payment to the landlord.

unfortunately, the payment was seemingly paid to a bank account not connected to my client, and was paid to a completely different bank.

ive never come across a situation like this before and could do with some advice about how best to approach it. i’m about to write to HB to ask for confirmation of what account the payment was made to, and provide details of which account it should have been paid to but when i receive their reply, what’s the next step? do i need a copy of the HB claim to see what bank details my client had provided to show that the council made a mistake?

many thanks in advance

Jon (CANY)
forum member

Welfare benefits - Craven CAB, North Yorkshire

Send message

Total Posts: 1362

Joined: 16 June 2010

Some comments in this thread might be helpful:
http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/5612/

andyrichards
forum member

City services - Brighton and Hove City Council

Send message

Total Posts: 204

Joined: 3 January 2013

This doesn’t seem like quite the case in that previous thread, in that the payment in this case has gone to some completely unrelated bank account.  This is rare, as there has to be a matchup between the branch sort code and the account number given.  Usually there isn’t, and the payment just bounces back.  Very occasionally there will be an account with the given number at the given branch.

To be honest, it’s not very complicated.  They still owe your client the money, and getting their misdirected money back is their problem.

J Membery
forum member

Revenues and Benefits Manager, Aylesbury Vale DC

Send message

Total Posts: 134

Joined: 16 June 2010

I agree the position is simple.

Either the Council paid the HB to a bank account specified by your client, and your client made the mistake, in which case there is not much that your client can do except to correct the bank account details and perhaps request a DHP.

Or

Your client gave the correct details and the Council simply paid it to the wrong account in which case the Council has not made a payment in accordance with the regulations and now needs to do so. Any refusal to do so should result in a quick complaint proceeding to the Ombudsman if necessary.