Help with benefit problem.

[lisel]

Hi there, completely sympathise with your plight and hope that it all turns out ok for you..some people have nothing better to do than to snoop and tell tale on others and mostly i find to cover up and take the heat off themselves! Nosey neighbours..who'da thunk it eh?
Question of my own to add so if anyone has ideas?
I have been claiming housing benefit for 6 years, always filled in the yearly review forms, provided the necessary info they always asked for and have never broken my claim. On Friday I received a letter saying that Benefit Officers were 'in the area' and would come and 'help' me fill in a review form for my housing benefit. Since I have never had their help before, and I havent requested it..and mores to the point, dont have neighbours to tell tales, I just wondered if being visited like this is normal? Also have recieved letters stating that the housing benefit scheme was now going to be called Local Housing Allowance and that new claims would be classed under this.
As I have said my claim has never been broken and Im told ( depite the fact that I would be better off in this new scheme!) that I should dispute the benefits team in trying to class me as a new claim!

I also get incapacity benefit and DVLA and in the past year the Rent Officer ( who has never visited the property!!) has 'decided' that a) i get too much money and b) the proeprty I am renting is suddenly too big for me....now apart from losing my cat, my property hasnt grown another room and i certainly havent increased my earnings!

Any ideas on why these people are suddenly comging to see me and whats the best way to deal with them?

[lisel]

Ooops....sorry...I'm not in receipt of DVLA!!! but rather of DLA!

[Billyhunt]

Hi Lisel,

The local authority do have random visits and it's nothing personal. They normally just have a quick chat and check nothing has changed regarding your situation.

Regarding the change to housing allowance, are you sure you would be better of under the new benefit? Have you looked at your local authorities bands for your particular property and your particular needs? Be careful thats all as local authorities vary considerably. You may indeed be better off as you say but many aren't. Are you renting privately because if its through a housing association housing allowance doesn't apply and housing benefit continues.

Hope this helps

Billy

[lisel]

thanks for that Billy!

thought I was perhaps being called out for something!!

I know everyone has a long story..I'll keep mine short! Was refused Incapacity benefit after a medical assesment ( Dr was Russian apparently and got most of what I said wrong including my age!) Anyway, went to appeal and accepted Income Support at reduced rate. Informed the local housing benefit team re the change to my income and was told that it wouldnt make an ounce of difference to my circumstances ( which is odd as they always seem to want to know!) Anyway, appeal was fought and won ( thank you welfare benefits officer!) so again I informed local housing benefit team re the change back to my original income...all the time providing everything they asked for, I.D, bank statements, lease etc etc, despite it only being a three month interval. Now, a mere 5 months later, seems I am having to do it all over again...which is why I was worried about the visit and if it was a 'normal' incident or not! during all the to-ing and fro-ing i was assured that my claim had never been broken as my housing benefit never stopped.

Yes have checked the banding and the allowances for a property of my size in my area and it would seem that I would be getting the initial amount I was getting if I was to receive the LHA, instead of which I receive over £100 less a month ( 4 weekly actually) presently.

Will sit tight and let you know the outcome of their visit (scheduled for Thurs 17th )

wish me luck ( and thanks again - going to bed a bit calmer!)

regards

Lisel

Renting privately yes, and no not an association.

[Billyhunt]

Hi Lisel, glad you feel a bit better. Just one other thing, don't wish to bang on about housing allowance but would hate for you to get stitched up. I understand that for property of your size you would be better off than under housing benefit rules but just checking when you looked at the local banding you looked at the rules for your particular situation. For example, being single, a 1 bed prop etc. If you have and you are definately better of then it might be worth making a claim. However might be worth checking with welfare officer or CAB first just to double check giving up housing benefit doesn't have a sting in the tail.

Good luck Thurs.

Billy

[lisel]

Thanks again Billy...checked online over the weekend re the banding and allowances and yes seems that at the moment Im receiving £72 a week under 'benefit' but could be receiving £95 per week under LHA...go figure!

Also was interested to read the case studies in the Gov propaganda. No matter what youre rent is ( on a 4 week or calander monthly basis re your lease) they will pay you X amount every week according to their 'scale' and if you get more than youre actual rent is...get this...you are ALLOWED to keep it!!! no joke! Where on earth does this make sense? Half the population struggle to make up their rent under the housing benefit scheme whilst the other half are quite entitled to look for cheap and cheerful accomodation, make a claim and JACKPOT get some extra spending money into the bargain! Beggers belief!
Yes I know its not that simple..but sheesh....!
Lisel