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Council Tax Benefit Help!
lottiechaz
Posts: 1 Newbie
Hi,
This is the first time I have posted on these forums and I'm afraid this is a long story! I am currently having problems with claiming council tax benefit and I need some advice please?
Last year I went through a messy divorce, and through this I had a nervous breakdown and had to give up my business and start claiming Incapacity Benefit. Through my divorce settlement I had my house and one of my ex-husbands pensions, and my ex-husband had all our savings and his other pension. This divorce settlement was finalised in May this year and it was in this month that I first handed in a claim form for Council Tax Benefit because the house was put in my name by then. Since May I have been having loads of letters from the council asking for more information and bank statements, even though I have previously sent them before.
From May to September I have been paying the council £108.00 a month in council tax while I have been waiting for a Council Tax decision from them, as I didn't want to be in debt. During this time my ex-husband's pension that was given to me through my divorce has become active since August, and has given me around £50.00 a month on top of my Incapacity Benefit money. I have 2 grown up children who live with me and are on Jobseekers Allowance and my savings are below £16,000.
This month I spoke to a benefit officer and he finally gave me a decision after waiting 6 months, and I have to pay around £48.00 a month. I feel this is still a bit steep considering I only get £50 in pension money and I'm on Incapacity Benefit, but it's a lot better then £108. But I asked about whether I will be getting some of my money back that I paid in from May-September whilst I've been waiting for the decision, and the council said No. I'm really angry that I've been waiting months to get a decision, and I've overpaid them and they are not giving me my money back. :mad:
I don't know what to do next? Do I have a case of getting some of the overpayment back? Would it be wise to see a solicitor about this? Is it possible you could help me please?
This is the first time I have posted on these forums and I'm afraid this is a long story! I am currently having problems with claiming council tax benefit and I need some advice please?
Last year I went through a messy divorce, and through this I had a nervous breakdown and had to give up my business and start claiming Incapacity Benefit. Through my divorce settlement I had my house and one of my ex-husbands pensions, and my ex-husband had all our savings and his other pension. This divorce settlement was finalised in May this year and it was in this month that I first handed in a claim form for Council Tax Benefit because the house was put in my name by then. Since May I have been having loads of letters from the council asking for more information and bank statements, even though I have previously sent them before.
From May to September I have been paying the council £108.00 a month in council tax while I have been waiting for a Council Tax decision from them, as I didn't want to be in debt. During this time my ex-husband's pension that was given to me through my divorce has become active since August, and has given me around £50.00 a month on top of my Incapacity Benefit money. I have 2 grown up children who live with me and are on Jobseekers Allowance and my savings are below £16,000.
This month I spoke to a benefit officer and he finally gave me a decision after waiting 6 months, and I have to pay around £48.00 a month. I feel this is still a bit steep considering I only get £50 in pension money and I'm on Incapacity Benefit, but it's a lot better then £108. But I asked about whether I will be getting some of my money back that I paid in from May-September whilst I've been waiting for the decision, and the council said No. I'm really angry that I've been waiting months to get a decision, and I've overpaid them and they are not giving me my money back. :mad:
I don't know what to do next? Do I have a case of getting some of the overpayment back? Would it be wise to see a solicitor about this? Is it possible you could help me please?
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