Merry - Ramblings of an undischarged bankrupt!

Merry_Gentry

fiveyearplan wrote: »

I didn't realise you could put down dating agency on SOA?

Lol, I doubt he did - just happened to see it on the online bank statement!!! :rotfl:

dalip

Thanks for the update merry. Sorry you are having such a rough time but glad your ladies are happier. Makes it kinda worth while when you see them smile and hear them laugh,doesent it.Dx

blind-as-a-bat_2

Hi Merry, just a quick hi, and a little thing, you should not be out of pocket due to NT code, if you are inform your OR, they may suspend collection of it so you get to keep it to ballence the amount you are losing if you see what i mean.

It might not be that simple as niether HB nor the OR seem to be able to reach an understanding about that one, but its worth asking, you never know

Glad you got moved OK, and besides the financial and car bit you still sound happier than you did

Merry_Gentry

Hey all

Bat, sorry I didn't respond to this straight away - was waiting on the letter from the council.

blind-as-a-bat wrote: »

Hi Merry, just a quick hi, and a little thing, you should not be out of pocket due to NT code, if you are inform your OR, they may suspend collection of it so you get to keep it to ballence the amount you are losing if you see what i mean.

It might not be that simple as niether HB nor the OR seem to be able to reach an understanding about that one, but its worth asking, you never know

Received the letter today from council confirming the cut in my housing benefit. I called my case officer at the OR office, who was majorly confused by the whole thing and said he would write to them. Here's the email I sent:

"Good afternoon Mr ##

Further to our telephone conversation, I am writing with the requested details.

As explained, my nil tax code came into effect on 31st October 2008, and I have set up a standing order to pay Moon Beever as instructed. I informed the person handling my Housing Benefit claim, and have today received confirmation that my housing benefit has been cut. Apparently, as I am paying nil tax, this is viewed as extra income, even though I have to pay this amount to Moon Beever. Consequently, my housing benefit has been cut by £50 per week, which means I am receiving £200 less per month, as this includes 'overpayments' at a rate of £9.15 per week.

I did speak to the Housing Benefit office to query this, and was told that if I received the full amount as previously assessed, it would be seen as them 'paying off my debt'. I sent them the original letter from Moon Beever, showing that I have agreed to pay the tax directly to them, and that I do not benefit in any way, shape or form from the nil tax code, but have been told that there is nothing further that can be done.

I also understand from the letter received from the Council that due to the amount of my income, I am not eligible for assistance with my Council Tax.

The address details are as follows:

Address details

My Claim reference is ##, and the person I have been speaking to is ##. If you require any further information from me, I can be reached on home number, mobile and email address.

Any assistance you could give in this matter would be gratefully received.

Yours faithfully"

Here's hoping they can do something. I am not receiving child support from H, the CSA case is locked and up in Newcastle to be fixed, and they are saying something like 6 - 8 weeks for it to be fixed, and then they do the assessment. Am trying to keep my spirits up, but had spinal injections last weekend and am suffering badly with pain in my back and hips -this is all wearing me down

blind-as-a-bat_2

No surprises there then re the benefit:rolleyes:

Ok here is a thought, under the social security act the OR cannot demand payment out of a benefit.

As your NT code is being canceled out by reduction in benefits, if you where to keep your tax it would equall out, but if you pay the OR it you are in effect giving him money you should be getting in benefits

So in a way your OR is taking money from your benefits,


Ok you could argue its streching it a bit but that is in reality what is happening so could be viewed as a breach of the act, albeit not directly, but as the a result of the NT code being viewed as it is

Merry_Gentry

Gotta be worth a go as basically that's what's happening. My child tax credit has gone down as well, but only by a few pounds, so not worth hassling for that. Will see if I get a response from him. Thanks Bat :beer:

Merry_Gentry

What a speedy dude - he's just cc'ed me in on an email to the Benefits department, offering to write to them and confirm that I have no choice about paying Moon Beever and it is not "income" :j

He says he will let me know what they say in response, so will keep you guys informed.

Merry_Gentry

Hmmm, methinks Housing Benefit people are not happy. Received a 'Review Form' through the post this morning, asking for details of all income, etc and proof including tenancy agreement and payslips. Unfortunately they still have all of this from the last review which was about 2 weeks ago :eek: :eek: Anyway, I will fill in the form and send it back, but I know it's their way of saying no to my appeal about the nil tax thing :rolleyes:

I am still off work with my back. I spoke to the Day Surgery people, and basically they think the reason I am still in so much pain is that the bruising is coming through and I didn't rest last week like they told me to. How I was supposed to rest whilst looking after a 4 year old every day, I don't know!

LilyBart

Hi Merry,
So sorry to hear you're caught up in bureaucratic hell, and back misery too. Once Dalip comes up with some dates for this proposed London meet-up in the new year, is there any chance we could tempt you to join us? Appreciate this is a difficult time for you but we'd love you to be there.
L x

Merry_Gentry

If I can, I'll be there