Snooping by local government

[jacob18]

As im sure you are aware Sally you are guilty now until you can prove innnocence , that is the way i see it. I am sure it will be because they were such large amounts , that is all i can think of and she has to prove that she was not being deceptive , as i am sure she wasn't , she needs legal advice , good luck.

[jacob18]

Do esa inform the hb these days ? that is what would ask ?

[honeybee13]

Do esa inform the hb these days ? that is what would ask ?

 

Hello there.

 

From watching daytime TV, I understand there is a large amount of information exchanged between the DWP, council and HMRC databases.

 

My best, HB

[DigitalProduct]

I have frequent issues with my LA caused by my being a clerical ESA claim. I regularly have to go in to LA office with bank statements to prove income. They go through them with a fine toothed comb, question in depth, how I provide for myself and kids, and question me on every amount on my bank statements, both incomings and outgoings.

 

My point is, im entitled to the HB and CTB so am only too happy for them to do so. I don't care what they know I've spent my money on as at the end of the day, it's their duty to try to prevent fraud of any kind, and as I've nothing to hide (not saying your cousin has) I co-operate fully. This is what I HAVE to do do in order to keep my benefits, and I personally feel it's a very small price to pay, a pain at times, but it keeps a roof over my head, and for that, I'd go to almost any lengths the LA demand.

 

What happens when the LA don't do their job or even try to defraud the public?

[antone]

What happens when the LA don't do their job or even try to defraud the public?

 

Do you have a particular case in mind? It's hard to answer those sorts of questions in general terms.

[Nystagmite]

Do esa inform the hb these days ? that is what would ask ?

 

From what I've read on here, it seems that way. If ESA stops, DWP inform LA.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

The ESA system flags up a prompt on the RATs, thats the LA system

when the entitlement to benefit ceases, but not alaways depends if the indicators or on on the claim.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

No she got £14k in total.

 

Declared this, then gave £9k in total to her kids and grandson.

 

I'm not getting anywhere here am i?

 

I'm sure this has all been explained previously.

 

Mike please if you are reading your advice.

 

As she told ESA now that she has 5k in capital or still paying tariff income on 14k.

 

I cant see why she would want to declare 14k, then gift 9K

 

Has she got a partner, or ex partner? did any of the money go to her own children wh maybe live with the ex partner,

LA have something in mind

[antone]

As she told ESA now that she has 5k in capital or still paying tariff income on 14k.

 

I cant see why she would want to declare 14k, then gift 9K

 

Has she got a partner, or ex partner? did any of the money go to her own children wh maybe live with the ex partner,

LA have something in mind

 

These were my thoughts as well. If she's still paying tariff income on £14k, what's the angle here?

[sallypotter]

She hasn't told ESA she gave some of the money to her children and grandchild.

 

What business is it of theirs, it is her money? She's not asking for more money from them, so what's the problem?

 

She's still paying tarif income on the inheritance of £14k.

 

This is our point, as far as ESA are concerned she has £14k and is being treated as such, so what is the problem, she's not asking for any more ESA!

[sallypotter]

Mike,

 

these are our thoughts that the LA have something in mind.

 

If they straightforward put it to her, then they might get an answer.

 

They are fishing and it is downright outrageous.

 

She declared the £14k as it was a change in circumstance.

 

She gave her kids and grandchild some money because that was her choice, why not?

[debt4get]

She hasn't told ESA she gave some of the money to her children and grandchild.

 

What business is it of theirs, it is her money? She's not asking for more money from them, so what's the problem?

 

She's still paying tarif income on the inheritance of £14k.

 

This is our point, as far as ESA are concerned she has £14k and is being treated as such, so what is the problem, she's not asking for any more ESA!

i honestly think sally..that they are looking at deprivation of capital...this is why they are asking....understand that she is not claiming any more esa than she is entitled to... however, the hb are presumably concerned enough to ask where this money has gone...i think unfortunately you have two options...dont tell em and you will lose entitlement to hb...or tell em and they will make a decision on this basis....i dont think there is going to be any way to avoid this unless she is in a position to service the rent etc herself...wish you all the best...

[sallypotter]

Thanks debt4get,

 

 

Been thinking about this (obviously) a lot.

 

Don't think LA have a leg to stand on in a court of law.

 

She's declared everything, they must have their reason/s why they want to know her expenditure, as she hasn't asked for any more ESA, but what who knows?

 

If it's deprivation of capital then this doesn't apply as she's not trying to get any more ESA.

 

If they want to interview her and charge her with something then she says let them because she feels they are acting beyond their powers.

 

Sorry but if she's not asking for more money then what right do they have?

 

All these flimsy suggestions that some people have given are nonsense.

 

LA are only ones that seem to know where they are coming from and you can't get an honest or straight answer from them.

 

Thanks though debt, she won't be claiming soon anyway it was only a temporary measure and not sure it was even worth it....

[debt4get]

totally agree...you and she dont need this hassle...good luck with it....getting a straight answer out em would be wonderful...

[sallypotter]

Thanks again debt,

 

You know what makes me mad or even madder, lol?

 

It's CAB, posters etc. saying along the lines of "have you claimed all the benefits you are entitled to?" etc. etc.

 

Is it really worth it?

 

Seems it's just to get information on people that they can use against them when the time comes?

 

To control and have power over people.

 

I told my 27 year old son, never claim any benefits if you can help it. Fortunately, at the moment he doesn't need to. Hope that remains the case, i really do.

 

It's no wonder sensible people don't bother.

 

My cousin never would have claimed the hb if she hadn't been told by the CAB to, she was more than willing to use her inheritance but was told she was entitled to claim hb, so do it.

 

Look where that has got her?

 

Bye for now,

 

Sal

[Guest amianne]

Thanks again debt,

 

You know what makes me mad or even madder, lol?

 

It's CAB, posters etc. saying along the lines of "have you claimed all the benefits you are entitled to?" etc. etc.

 

Is it really worth it?

 

Seems it's just to get information on people that they can use against them when the time comes?

 

To control and have power over people.

 

I told my 27 year old son, never claim any benefits if you can help it. Fortunately, at the moment he doesn't need to. Hope that remains the case, i really do.

 

It's no wonder sensible people don't bother.

 

My cousin never would have claimed the hb if she hadn't been told by the CAB to, she was more than willing to use her inheritance but was told she was entitled to claim hb, so do it.

 

Look where that has got her?

 

Bye for now,

 

Sal

 

It happens all of the time. Getting bad advice, poor service.

 

I was reading of a elderly couple who were receiving Guaranteed Pension Credit, full Housing Benefit and full Council tax Benefit and had considerable savings - in excess of £75,000. Because of the way Pension Credit works, there is no need to tell them if your savings go up. The increase in capital is ignored. When they first claimed they had £2000, then received a large inheritance.

 

CAB told the chappie that he should be receiving IIDB. They applied for him and he was awarded about £60 a week. Unfortunately, because of this extra income, it took them over the limit for Pension Credit so they had to support themselves from then on. However, when they applied for HB & CTB, they were told that they couldn't get either due to savings.

 

The moral of that story is why claim an extra £60 a week when you stand to lose £185 a week from other benefits!

[Slatted]

Thanks again debt,

 

You know what makes me mad or even madder, lol?

 

It's CAB, posters etc. saying along the lines of "have you claimed all the benefits you are entitled to?" etc. etc.

 

Is it really worth it?

 

Seems it's just to get information on people that they can use against them when the time comes?

 

To control and have power over people.

 

I told my 27 year old son, never claim any benefits if you can help it. Fortunately, at the moment he doesn't need to. Hope that remains the case, i really do.

 

It's no wonder sensible people don't bother.

 

My cousin never would have claimed the hb if she hadn't been told by the CAB to, she was more than willing to use her inheritance but was told she was entitled to claim hb, so do it.

 

Look where that has got her?

 

Bye for now,

 

Sal

 

I think the CAB should suggest she get what she is entitled to (in fact it would be unreasonable that they do not do so) and many people really do need to know and claim it all to survive so how could they make distinctions?

 

To me it seems that the problem is the level of scrutiny that is now being required in order to satisfy those responsible for paying out the benefits that is the issue here is it not?

 

It is uncomfortable to be asked for so much information, that is for sure, and I can understand how it can feel worse when emotive issues surround it as well as mental health ones.

[sallypotter]

Yes you are right,

 

What would appear simple is not so when the LA etc. ask intrusive questions that have already been dealt with.

[MIKEY DABODEE]

Mike,

 

these are our thoughts that the LA have something in mind.

 

If they straightforward put it to her, then they might get an answer.

 

They are fishing and it is downright outrageous.

 

She declared the £14k as it was a change in circumstance.

 

She gave her kids and grandchild some money because that was her choice, why not?

 

The LA think they have or have uncovered something,

I am at a loss, if she has declared 14k to ESA,

 

paying tariff Income then HB should accept this,

but I think, they think there is more capital, that would take her over hte 16k because it seems they dont want to pay HB..

 

she could have just given the money to the children and just declared what was left, she didnt but it looks like the LA doesnt want to accept this.

She may just have to wait now to see what they come out with next....

[sallypotter]

They think she had an interest in another property, which they know she hasn't, the woman told her this on the phone.

 

This was told to them by one of the other beneficiaries.

 

They know she hasn't received anything from the sale of the house she part inherited to date.

 

We can only conclude it is one of the other beneficiaries making up stories as he has been doing this for several years trying to get her in to trouble.

[debt4get]

ah now at least you know why they are asking the questions....getting nearer to holy grail.....the truth out of them....

[sallypotter]

It still doesn't answer the question though of why they are questioning what she spent her inheritance on though?

[debt4get]

it does if you look at their mindset....they claim she may have an interest in another property..therefore the money could be going into that property..maybe on maintenance in order to sell etc.....as much as i understand both yours and her position...in order to get them 'off your back' would it maybe not in her interest to give them the information...but i perfectly understand if you do not want to go down that route...the bloody cheek of it is unbelievable!! but unfortunately that is the system today...good luck!!

[sallypotter]

The woman has looked at what they thought/HAD TO HAVE BEEN TOLD was her interest in the other property and realised that she doesn't have any interest.

 

So that doesn't exist.

 

You are absolutely right "the bloody cheek of it is unbelievable!"

[jacob18]

I have decided even though maybe unintentionally doing anything that they may deem as deceptive , that they will make me pay somewhere along the line , if they cant do it , they will just make life as hard as possible in every way , i wish you much luck and success !