Hello again. I have been doing some searching for more info. I found info in the HB_guide, which states that rent increases can be restricted (regardless if the increase keeps the rent under LHA, or if I am in a vulnerable group). But it appears (to me) they have not taken into account if the rent increase is reasonable. as they should take into account rent increases locally for similar accommodation, and/or if improvements that have been made to the accommodation which might justify an increase.

Hi, Just me living alone in private rented one bed flat. In the letter from the council, I missed a page, it states:- "An unreasonable rent reduction has been made from the rent that you pay. This deduction has been made because override." My new rent is the same as the current LHA for a one bed property. I know if I was under 35 I would only get shared room rate, but I am 60+ (on income related ESA (support group))

Hi, My landlord increased my rent. I had a reply from the council that my housing benefit(amount) will remain the same, and that my new rent(amount) has been referred to the valuation office for a reassessment. I went online to "turn2us"(benefit calculator link from gov.uk), which informed me I am entitled to the full new rent based on LHA. So I do not understand why my housing benefit is not increasing and is being referred to the valuation office (I though valuation office was for council tax, not private rents). So I do not understand the reply from the council. Does anyone know what is happening here? I have sent an e-mail to the council about this, but that can take 28 days for a reply.

Ah, right. Thank you for the reply/info. I suppose, after putting it off for a long time, I will have to make a claim for PIP, or at least make the attempt.

Hi. My rent in being increased and the LHR rate is less than the rent. The flat I live in has service charge which the landlord pays directly. The service charge is to cover lift maintenance, cleaning shared areas etc. (I live in a block of flats) Will I be able to claim extra (above LHR rate) for housing benefit due to service charge?

At such an early stage of claim, there may be no full diagnosis. Possibly a case of needing referal to hospital for tests/scans etc. The esa1 form only asks for a brief description of the illness, because it may not be fully known what the illness is. When ESA claiments are mandated to attend a WFI, it has already be determined by the WCA that the probability is that they are able to attend. When a new ESA claiment is mandated to attend an HWC, it may be a case they have not even been given a diagnosis of the illness.

"Review the illness" should not be made by a work coach/JCP (NOTE: The illness does not need to be discussed, giving such information by the claiment cannot be mandated)

The HWC is about being able to mandate new ESA claiments to a WFI before the claiment is placed into a group(before the WCA), or put another way, to be able to sanction ESA claiments ealier.

From the white paper:- There is also some protection for those who go back to work, but then cannot continue with the work:-

IMHO, This is just about finding more ways to inflict sanctions on ESA claimants. The more sanctions they can make, the better chance they will not breach their own welfare spending cap.

They appear to be looking for "Implied consent" to store personal/private information.

What is conflicting? You do not license the receiver, you license your ability to watch or record Live TV on your premises. I have a TV with a built in receiver, but it is not installed or used for the purpose of watching live broadcasts. (I have not watched live TV for about 5 years).

Installed or used for the purpose of receiving any television programme service Receiving a television programme service, where that programme is received at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is received by members of the public by virtue of its being broadcast or distributed as part of that service. If you watch or record live TV broadcast on any device, you need a license. See:- http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/understanding-your-tv-licence-top3/

Was it? I thought the changes where to punish the sick/unemployed, take money away from them, and give that money to the private companies owners/executives.

That is the extent of the "Help" I have been offered at my WFI at jobcenter over the last 18 months. (The WP offered me weekly jobsearches). I have asked if there is any (recognized) training/ re-training available, but always get told No. With WRAG, you have to do something for work preparation. Any refusal can get a doubt raised. So it is better to find something yourself, something that is interesting to yourself. You mention working from home. If you have something in mind, then could you not start preparation for that? For example. You may be interested in web design. Is there any software (free/trial) that you could learn at home. That way, on your next WFI, explain you are not good around others, and it would be more beneficial if you did some learning(web design) at home.