 Housing Benefit-Am I entitled to ask to have my payments backdated??
Hi everyone Going back to last year of 2007 I have been in receipt of Housing Benefit. At the time of when my application was assessed, I was awarded a weekly amount, and it was amicably agreed (between me and HB Officer)that the amount of £5 would be taken off my weekly payments to go towards payment of an overpayment, as this is all I could offer...However, I now feel a complete idiot (and I should of double check this!!)it has now come to light that I have not been recieving my correct weekly amount. My weekly amount is £26, and I should of been getting £21 per wk,(minus £5) instead I have been getting £12 per wk??? (I obviously have been paying more than £10 per wk) This must have changed without me knowing, as the HB Officer didnt even bother to notify me of this change,as it were. No phonecall,no letter..I hate to admit it, but I am one of those lazy people who dont check thier accounts regularly from week to week, and I hold my hands up and take some responsability, but I took it for granted that the BO were paying me the correct amount..I am now in this situation where I feel I should be claiming back what I lost, as I highly depended on that money I should of been getting,as it served a purpose by helping me pay my rent etc...I have called the HBO this morning, and I spoke to the HB officer who dealt with my claim at the time,and she has now kindly adjusted my payments accordingly from today back to what it should be... I asked her about backdating my payments, and she said I need to ask this by writing a letter...What I would like to know, do I have a right to ask for this money back?? or have I lost it?Many Thanks for any advice in advance..Regards B.Flower x
Last edited by bloomingflower; 18th March 2008 at 13:56.
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