I ranted

john_s_2

Sorry if I've missed it but you haven't mentioned if you've applied for Income Support for yourself and your younger son. If you're entitled to IS then that will 'passport' you onto 100% housing and council tax benefit (do you receive council tax benefit?? Even if it's not 100%?)

Also your 18 year old son ought to be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) while he's looking for work. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere. If he's entitled to it (and I don't see why not from what you've said) then you won't get anything deducted from your housing benefit (to the best of my knowledge) because of him being 18.

Good luck!

scotlady

Hiya, I was at CAB 3 times last week and they are now trying to sort it out. I've got one person dealing with the benefit side & the other the tax credit overpayment side. There is nothing can be done re tax credits. So they want £5pw now.

As for benefit, I applied for IS & DLA and got a no for both of them. I will hopefully hear from council soon but the CAB said I still wont be entitled to full HB as I dont receive IS. Its just so unfair. Event the woman at CAB said how is anyone supposed to survive on that. I dont get food every week, I manage to get it every 2 wks but even then its only £40. But the kids r happy and thats all that matters to me at the end of the day. So far no eviction, the end date was 31 October so I would assume I woulda heard by now maybe.

Nobody is due me money or I'd be hounding them for sure. My eldest son has put in 14 job applications and got 1 rejection so far. He has finally got his jobseekers sorted but gotta use that to pay the fine this week. Just waiting on the council updating the info now. I've given them everything they needed, now its just the waiting game again.

Thanks for the replies peeps, makes me see I aint alone:kisses3:

john_s_2

Glad to hear your son has his JSA in place. I'm a bit rusty on benefits law (I used to work in a local DSS office) but I'm pretty sure now he's entitled you won't have anything deducted from your local housing allowance (or whatever it's called - I said I was rusty!)

But you'll need to inform them - but it sounds like CAB are on the case; best mention it to them though.

On the plus side your IB will be more than what you'd get on IS - which is why you're not entitled to IS. Even with the fact that your LHA isn't 100% (and I ask again - you are getting council tax benefit aren't you?)

As for tax credits... in my opinion they're the worst thing that's happened for benefits. HMRC collect taxes, not pay benefits. The whole system isn't geared up for what it's supposed to deliver. If income support overpaid someone, then the repayments were a few quid a week until it's repaid. Tax credits take it all in one swoop (even if that means stopping it altogether until it's repaid). That's outrageous and the people that designed it should be ashamed of themselves.

I'm ranting now!

scotlady

john_s wrote: »

Glad to hear your son has his JSA in place. I'm a bit rusty on benefits law (I used to work in a local DSS office) but I'm pretty sure now he's entitled you won't have anything deducted from your local housing allowance (or whatever it's called - I said I was rusty!)

But you'll need to inform them - but it sounds like CAB are on the case; best mention it to them though.

On the plus side your IB will be more than what you'd get on IS - which is why you're not entitled to IS. Even with the fact that your LHA isn't 100% (and I ask again - you are getting council tax benefit aren't you?)

As for tax credits... in my opinion they're the worst thing that's happened for benefits. HMRC collect taxes, not pay benefits. The whole system isn't geared up for what it's supposed to deliver. If income support overpaid someone, then the repayments were a few quid a week until it's repaid. Tax credits take it all in one swoop (even if that means stopping it altogether until it's repaid). That's outrageous and the people that designed it should be ashamed of themselves.

I'm ranting now!

Rant away lol:D

I am told I will get Council tax benefit but not he whole lot. I got a letter from then few days ago saying they have overpaid it and want just over £400 back so deducting it from current CT benefit. Also I am being taken to court over £800 from somewhere which CAB said I will need to pay. I asked for a breakdown to see where they say i am due them it.

I am still paying for last yrs with Bristow & Sutor, but saying that they have been brilliant, I rang them to ask if when the new one comes in can they just add it on to the current one and they said yes. So will just continue to pay the £5pw to them as the current one is almost finished.

john_s_2

Crumbs! It all sounds like a bit of a mess! But it also sounds like you're getting on top of it. I'm sure once everything's sorted out things won't seem so bad.

scotlady

john_s wrote: »

Crumbs! It all sounds like a bit of a mess! But it also sounds like you're getting on top of it. I'm sure once everything's sorted out things won't seem so bad.

It is mate, just wish I could see a light at the end of the tunnel tho. I honestly dread to think whats gonna happen, but I gotta try be strong for the kids. You all have been the best:kisses:

Andromeda

Hi Scotslady,

Rant if it makes you feel better. If it makes you feel better, then it will help.

I can only give you a hug and let you know I'm thinking of you, and I'm sure lots of other people on here are, and there's plenty of lovely people on here to talk to if you need them.

Jaslyn

What a difficult situation scotlady, you are so entitled to rant! Good luck with it all