Although this doesnt affect me, I am taking an interest - I didnt realise that it only affected those living in 4 council areas until September. I wonder why those 4 areas have been chosen for the Pilot scheme ? Hopefully by then, it will be proved to be another disaster and it will be stopped. Read more : http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/why-you-ll-be-more-broke-next-month--151600586.html

Apologies for cap letters, just C&P from FB group Atos Miracles: BREAKING NEWS ON BENEFIT CAP....courtesy of Paula Peters who was present for PIP stuff today! as you all know the cap is: £350 single person £500 couples and single parents. Exemptions are ESA Support Group,DLA/PIP those benefits included in the cap are the following; JSA SDA HOUSING BENEFIT COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT ESA WRAG GROUP INCOME SUPPORT INC DISABILITY PREMIUM INCAPACITY BEN BEREAVEMENT ALLOWANCE CARERS ALLOWANCE WIDOWS ALLOWANCE THIS CAP WILL INCLUDE ALL THE ABOVE SO YES YOU WONT GET MORE A WEEK THAT £350 OR £500 TO PAY EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND THOSE WORKING ON LOW WAGES IF THEY EARN OVER THE CAP ,IT WILL BE TAKEN OFF ANY HB YOU GET AT PRESENT UNIVERSAL CREDIT: WORKING TAX CREDITS SCRAPPED APRIL2014 ATOS NOT ALLOWING AUDIO ASSESSMENT RECORDINGS BUT YOU CAN USE A ADVOCATE TO SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF NEW CLAIMS START OCT BUT MAYBE DELAYED INDEF/LIFETIME 2015 ONUS ON CLAIMANT TO GATHER EVIDENCE PIP WILL USE ONLINE TRACKER SYSTEM AND THOSE WHO CANNOT HEAR OR SPEAK WILL BE ABLE TO USE A APPOINTTEE WITH CLAIMANTS PERMISSION. YOU WILL GET PHONECALL USING TRACKER FOR ALL OTHERS WHICH YOU WILL BE ASKED A LOT QUESTIONS (18PAGES) BEFORE THE CLAIM FORM IS SENT OUT. 3MTH QUALIFYING TEST FOLLOWED BY 9MTH PROSPECTIVE TEST THIS MEANS A YEAR IN TOTAL AND THOSE WITH FLUCTUATING CONDITIONS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS NONSENCE INFO RECEIVED FROM KATHERINE MARSHALL CAM PATEL WHO ARE BOTH PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS FOR SOUTH EAST /LONDON I realise it's not the clearest of posts, I think someone was taking notes as they were going along, but it might give someone a heads up, even if it raises as many questions as it answers, so to speak.

Hi all, I'm new here so forgive me if I don't have the right forum area, I did try to look around for the appropriate one. It's also long and maybe complicated. this is on behalf of my father. He is in trouble with our local council for benefit fraud of £12k, I know this is not looked upon with much sympathy but let me explain. Years ago in the 80's before we moved to where we are now and when I was a baby my dad had a back injury at work and from then on could no longer work due to this injury which has gotten worse over time. He claimed a benefit (forgive me I don't remember the name) and at the time he was advised by the person that "he did not need to worry about declaring it because it would go on record" My father believed this man and then when we moved here from Watford, claimed other benefits. Coming to this year, my dad's health is much worse, he is in his 60's, has diabetes which has ruined his legs, his back has slipped disks and has a hiatus hernia, plus depression (although not diagnosed by a doctor) due to other awful family events such as my mother dying in 2010. I also believe he may have some mental issues but again, won't go to any "quacks" because his common sense and confusion has gotten worse over the years. He claims housing, council tax and is on disability (I receive carer's and income support to top that up so I am a paid carer for him) and received a pension along with the one he was getting for some years. Admittedly we were all led to believe that we were alright because of the advise that dad was given and we just assumed they knew all about it. when dad would fill out forms he would not mention the 80's benefit he was still getting, I think the confusion came when he didn't realize it was an early pension, and I didn't know how to system worked, I just believed what my dad believed. The council can only go back to 2000, dad was interviewed under caution in September this year, which was a shock as we did not expect it. Dad did not know he had done anything wrong, he realized he infact did and admitted so, and then explained how he intended to pay every single penny back. We had our housing stopped for a while but then was half reinstated so that the landlord could be paid (Something I'll get to in a moment) We also got in contact with the Citizen's Advice. Dad then gets a letter from the council after some back and forth with an agreed price of how much to pay back each month a nd is stated in the letter as long as the payments are kept up and on time they will not proceed further, which was a great relief. And would be paid off by July next year. Clearly we were mistaken, we then get a huge amount of paperwork from the council, with a letter of 8 summons to court for the 7th of December. When we saw this we simply fell apart, we thought that as long as we paid it all back that Dad would not go to prison, and although it only says prison is one of the punishments, that it could just be more money that needs to be paid back as a charge, myself and my father are terrified that he will go to prison for this and he simply will not last, as I have explained his mental state and physical state will not cope. Right now personally my mental state is taking a beating, I am not eating or sleeping right, this weekend has been a nightmare. My Dad is going to phone the council a little later to get a clearer picture of what they mean by this, and then also phone Citizen's Advice again. As stated above he intends on paying everything back, and we're just confused about the letter because we thought we arranged to pay everything back without any threats of prison. Dad now knows that what he did was wrong albeit a mistake due to listening to bad advice years ago, and clearly not having much knowledge on how the system works. For my whole life we have never been rich, we have always been struggling with payments of bills so I can tell you that even now we are not coping very well especially after this. My brother who still lives with us managed to get a job (which we did declare) and it is myself and him that are having to help a great deal with the money. Going back to our landlord, when our housing was reinstated the council didn't tell us and nor did our landlord so when we were paying all of the rent which was a stressful situation, turns out our landlord was also claiming the housing and didn't bother to tell us , so we were paying him the full amount of rent when we didn't need to. So we've stopped that, although the landlord has not gotten back to us about that situation... But I just won't know what to do if my dad goes to prison, I am terrified.

when i signed for the first time at Ingeus the other day they took my job search diary off me, i got told its to check if i have done enough. does this mean they'll contact every the employer of every job i apply for and write on the diary? :S

Hello, I wonder if any of you may be able to advise me, I had my third child back in September and am about to go into my 3 months of unpaid maternity leave and I am in the process of claiming some housing benefit to help us through. Naturally the council expect me to return to work at the end of the three months. My problem is, I work (normally) 4 nights a week from 10pm until 8am. However, with three children I don't feel that I'm going to be able to manage it and would like to speak to my employer about changing/reducing my hours. If they should say no and I leave my employment, would housing benefit be withdrawn? My husband works 23 hours a week for the same employer and they won't budge on his hours (won't increase) and, quite often, they are in direct opposition to mine......meaning that when he works in the day I would have to be up all day with the baby, then go to work that night. I just don't feel that I'll be able to manage but, I don't feel that they'll be too accommodating with flexible working or letting me change my contract. Any advice would be most appreciated, TIA.

Hello, I privately rent a 3 bed house and have done since april 2009, We were lucky in finding one which was priced at LHA 2 bed rates as we had a son and a daughter both under 10 so they have to share under the lha rules. My son turned 10 in january 2011, meaning we were now eligible for a 3 bed. I did ring the council then and they said we were not entitled to any extra money due to husbands wages. Our rent has now increase to slightly over the LHA rates for a 3 bed and I did send council a letter from our landlord. His letter is dated march 2012. I have since checked my letters from the council as he recently became unemployed and on the new council housing form we recieved it stated weekly eligible rent £150. (LHA rates for a 3 bed in our area are £173.09). Having questioned this yesterday as my husband is back at work and wanting to give new salary details. The man told me that since January this year we have been underpaid and will recieve a refund... Now in january I recieved a letter saying my benefit was going up from £42 a week to £59.59 (letter stating change of liability) Yet when payments was not increased I contacted them to be told it was a system error and they have no details of this letter being sent payments were still £42 a week. Now however my claim has been adjusted to my eligible rent being £173.08 a week instead of £150. Yesterday whilst on the phone to this council man I had another letter delivered dated 24/Feb/2013 saying my benefit was being increased to £66.90 a week due to annual uprating and this will start on 1st april 2013.. (this is based on husbands old job). Im waiting for the paperwork from yesterdays phone call to come before I contact council again... I have looked at all benefit letters and the local LHA rates which since April 2011 have been £150 for a 2 bed and £173.08 for a 3 bed. These are the figures I have since my son turned 10 and just before his birthday. Date eligible rent LHA for 3 bed 15 dec 11 £149.59 £173.08 17 jan 12 £139.08 18 jan 12 £150 01 apr 12 £150 02 apr 12 £150 08 aug 12 £150 Now these are the ones I have from 2012 and my benefit varied from £33 to £45 a week but these payments have been based on the eligible rent of a 2 bed when since 25 jan 2012 when my son turned 10 I was eligible for a 3 bed.. Since this year I have recieved letters 15 jan 13 £167.31 £173.08 Benefit to be increase from £42 to £59.59 was told this letter was a MISTAKE and no increase.. 14 mar 13 £150 £173.08 New adjusted claim due to JSA application... questioned it man rebating us since mid Jan (due to system error) letter recieved 18 march but dated 24 feb 24 feb £178.85 Does this seem that I have been under paid and if so is it likely I will recieve the money back as I have some rent arrears and I could clear it with the refund.. Also is it best to question it in writing or over the phone? Thanks vicki

Can anyone tell me if I would be able to claim the service charges on a retirement flat. I would like to move but it would take the capital I have invested in my current property to do so. My income (I am retired) means I will need to claim Pension Credit and Council Tax Benefit. Although I am currently self-employed this will have to stop soon as I need to care for my mother but this will not be enough hours to claim carers allowance and, because I get my state pension I would not get anything even if/when she needs more care. Thanks for reading.

Hi Is Council Tax Benefit means tested? Cheers

I'll try to be as brief as possible. I've been on benefits due to mental health issues since 2006. In November 2011 I split from my husband and moved into my own place. Then with the new changes in HB/ESA last year and the upcoming changes to universal credit/bedroom tax, I realised I couldn't afford my place by myself and moving again I felt was too stressful. My friend, who also suffers from mental health issues, was having problems with his mum so we thought it'd be a good solution for him to move into the spare room in my flat. We contacted the landlord and each got a tenancy and thought this was ok. We have separate bedrooms but share kitchen lounge and bathroom. We are not a couple but now my friend has had a letter saying he's(we've) been reported for benefit fraud and we both need to fill a form in. My question is this... how are we supposed to prove that we are not a couple/living together as a couple? We split all bills equally and for the most part we do our own laundry/cooking/cleaning BUT we are good friends so we occasionally make each other a meal/have a takeaway and go grocery shopping together(for ease) and also socialize together. So again how are we meant to disprove the allegations? Really hope someone can help!

I scored 0 points and have received Incapacity benefit for 5 years. I just got a sick note from the Dr's and I'm mailing off my appeal today, I note that it has now changed to ESA and that the standard letter with 0 points is common from the first review. usual stuff with the sounds of it, she asked me a bunch of questions about my mental health then when I got the report five months later (I got kicked off at the start of the year 2ndjan) it was well in all honesty a load of BS. She didnt note one of my symptoms, decided that I had imaginary anxeity etc and my dodgy thoughts were nothing to worry about. Is there anything I can do? I have seen a Citizens advice bloke at my doctors and he says taking a doctors report to the appeal should help. Oh will i get reduced rate while the appeal is ongoing or will i get paid same? Thanks for reading.

Husband was made redundant in Dec 2012. He is now claiming IbJSA. I started my own business in July 2012, part time aprox 10 hours a week. when my Husband started claiming JSA, they asked how much I earned a week. I said £40...BUT now I have just realised I didn't take into account all my business expenses (was gunna get an accountant to work it out at end of year, as a rough guide its £1,900 a year for rates, laundry, insurance, cleaning, phone, stationary etc etc) To work out the £40 a week I worked out my takings and purchases of stock. So we've been loosing out on money - I asked them about this but they just said to fill out a B7 form each week now - which seems unfair and is of NO help! Also ive been trying to call them to tell them we are now claiming DLA (since January) for one of our children (we have 2) and also that I will be claiming CA, but job centre benefit delivery never answer the phone!! my Husband is now setting up his own business (given up looking for employment!) Job Centre have been no help what so ever!! Advise appreciated please

Hi,I am 66 ,I was finished up from work at 60 due to ill health,i went on pension credit as i had no private pension,i had a phone call a couple of weeks ago for a review over the phone,this is when i found out my wife had a private pension of £15 per week from when i first claimed ,the dwp have said they are coming out to see me,i guess this will be about the overpayment,i should also add my wife and myself was ill at the time of claim. I realise i am in the wrong and will have to pay it back,i just wish the review had been every 12 months ,we have worked all our lives and are very worried about the visit,can someone tell me what happens,thanks in advance John

Hi, my daughter (19, and at college) moved out last Tuesday - I started to notify everyone today (emailed Child Benefit & Local Council & tried unsuccessfully to get through the Tax Credits). Whilst doing my 'domestic admin' I noticed on my online bank account that CB had gone in on the 4th but for 3 Weeks and not 4 weeks amount. I work fulltime so don't claim housing or anything like that. Just seems odd re the underpayment, I only emailed them today to advise that she moved out on the 5th. Is it possible that my daughter has claimed something in her own right and told them before me? (she was still coming home up until Tuesday albeit usual coming home late etc) Worried about this aswell as her as she seems to have gone a bit 'off the rails' lately and is very secrective (feels like I am the enemy)

Hi I need some help Ive claimed income based incapacity benefit for the last few years, recently I received a A! income support review from the benefit integrity department and it referred to my 'income support' Now a few weeks later Ive received a letter saying there has been a change to my 'income support' and the amount has been reduced to £71.00 which is the basic rate income support. What I dont understand is why do they keep referring to my incapacity benefit claim as income support? it seems they have mixed up the 2? I should be getting the full rate incapacity benefit like I have for the last few years David

Hi, A while ago I attended my GP because I was ill. They did numerous blood tests and said I was fine. I kept getting worse and going back, which only seemed to convince the GP that there was nothing wrong with me and that I was some kind of malingerer. I am self employed and was too ill to work so I asked, several times, to be signed off sick and he refused. A little less than a year passed from my first attendance and it was discovered that someone had overlooked a blood test I'd had when I first went that proved I was indeed ill. I then went to another GP and explained the problems I'd had and she agreed that I must have been unfit for work during the time the blood test had been overlooked and signed me a backdated sick note for that period. Obviously during that time, because I'd had no option, I'd still been registered as self employed even though I'd hardly been able to earn anything. Now I am being told that the sick note isn't really worth anything. That I can't claim backdated benefits even though I should have been entitled to them at the time due to my GPs oversight and in reality I was very sick indeed. Can anyone shed any light on where I could get the correct advice or help - solicitors are no good, they are only interested in 'causation' not negligence.

Citizen Advice Bureaux has released the following : - What is theBenefit Cap Read more: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_welfare_benefits_reform_e/the_benefit_cap_what_you_need_to_know.htm

Hi all, I have been asked to leave my current tenancy, and I'm in the process of trying to find another place to live. My local council (Merton) have told me they cannot help, and that I would need to find a new private tenancy. I am just really struggling to find anyone who will accept DSS. I receive Housing Benefit, ESA (support group) and DLA (low mobility and middle care). If anyone knows who I can contact that would accept me, that would be brilliant. I want to stay local, so I am looking to move to Sutton, Morden, Cheam etc. Thanks all.

Hi, my friend is a single Mum. After leaving her ex (who lives abroad), she moved back to the UK. The ex paid her first 6 months rent, but she still claimed Housing Benefit, intending to pay him back in monthly installments. He then told her to keep it as he wasn't going to pay any maintenance, so she used the money (£3K in total) for maintenance, although she was also claiming Income Support and Child Benefit. She's been invited to an interview and told me that she's quite looking forward to 'coming clean' and intends to pay the money back immediately. Ironically, the interview is exactly three days *after* the first Housing Benefit money is actually going to the landlady, so she's worried that they will accuse her of planning to continue this set-up, even though she set up the standing order to the landlady a couple of weeks ago. So - questions: 1. Will she have to go to court? 2. Will she go to prison (she wants to train as a teacher and is worried about the criminal record) 3. Will her benefits be stopped/reduced - if so for how long - she's really worried about paying the rent if this happens. Many many thanks - she's worried sick x

Hi Could anyone advise when the HB and JSA run on scheme finishes. Just waiting on the outcome of a 3rd stage interview and I have a nagging doubt the scheme finishes in April??? Am I right???

Hi Thought Id post this link from Citizens Advice Bureau on Benefits and Consessions for Armed Forces, Veterans and their Families. http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/your_money/benefits/benefits_and_concessions_for_the_armed_forces_veterans_and_their_families.htm?gclid=COL8iaGz17UCFaLHtAodCkQAtg

how can someone stop hb is a family a couple with 2 kids and the husband just started to work full time and want to cut off the housing benefit what should they do

hi new here wonder if someone can help,iam on esa incolm related i get my hb and ct paid,my daughter is at univercity,she finishes her course on april and doesnt start back till augaust it is a continous course,will i have to pay hb and ct for the months she is not at university.i had alot of problems when she was at college and finished for the summer,with hb and ct,because she did not sign on jsa,finaly got it sorted out,do i have to imform hb and ct when she finishes on april for her break and will i have to pay any hb and ct when she is not at university,as the last time they looked at her bank statements to see when her student bursary finished but wanted me to pay a certain amount for hb and ct because she did not sign on jsa

I live in a house with my daughter owned by ny estranged wife, she lives elsewhere, I have had my council tax benefit suspended for over a year now, struggling to pay the single occupancy, I have had repeted letters from the council asking for my estranged wifes address to which I have replied I do not know, Today the council wrote to her at her work place, even though the letter was addressed to my estranged wife the company sectary open it, and it stated she was linked to an investigation into a benefit claim and they would like to see her. She rang me all irate saying she was not claiming any benefit and I told her I was not claiming anything for her which I am not. I told her as she is not living here and not claiming she does not have to talk to them, I also said I am not even sure they are allowed to even write to you in your place of work. Could someone here with a bit more knowledge advise me on what to tell the ex as she is on about selling the house and me having to find my own place to live. Does she have to talk to the council? Are the council allowed to cold call or write to her place of work? Can the council approach her on the street or even go to her place of work? Thanks for any advice

Well looks like the benefit cash card is not going any further http://socialwelfareunion.org/archives/3041

Hi! Ive no idea if anyone can help me here, I had an Interview Under Caution last October about my boyfriend living with me. Their main issue seemed to be that he had signed a birth certificate for our daughter. It is clear on my bank statements (that I have to assume that they have) that all of the bills, shopping ect are paid by me, but I have had a letter today saying that they are suspending my payment::: 'In accordance with the Benefit Regulations becuase I require further information. Before I can reinstate your claim I require the following information by no later that 13th March 2013 otherwise your claim will be terminated from the 12th September 2011 and you will have to make a new application. This may result in a loss of benefit. I refer to the interview with Mrs _____ & Mrs ______ investigation officers on 12th October. I have considered all the information and deemed that you and Mr _____ as living together from at least 12th September 2011. In order for me to assess your benefit from 12 September 2011 I require the following: I require one piece of documentation for Mr ____ to confirm his NI Number A second proof of identity is also required for Mr ____ in addition to that provide for proof of their NI Number Proof of Mr _____ income since 12 September 2011. As the evidence requested goes back to September 2011 I will accept a print out from his employer of all wages received. Written confirmation of all bank accounts help by Mr _____ and the balances of these accounts. If your total capital is more than £5500 please supply evidence of these accounts. This maybe current and savings bank/ building society/ post office accounts, shares, stocks, bonds and any other investments. Your statements/ bank books must cover the last 8 weeks. If the above information is not received your claim will be terminated from 12 September 2011 and you will be overpaid Housing Benefit of £6278 covering the period 12 September 2011 to 17 Feb 2013. If you wish me to consider reducing this overpayment by awarding underlying entitlement you must supply all the evidence as details above. If this is not provided by 13 March 2013 the overpayment will be as detailed above and recoverable from you. How the heck am I supposed to get that info?? Also all of that info will show that his address was not the same as mine surely?? Aargh!!! Thank you for your help in advance xx