Does one off overtime affect Housing Benefit?

Merry_Gentry

Well the question is in the title.:)

We are coming up to year end at my workplace and I have been working some extra hours. It's not possible for me to take them as flexi leave because (a) there are so ruddy many, and (b) we are overstretched, understaffed and I can't have the time off.

Work have offered to 'buy' the hours off me because they are building at an alarming rate, and there is still a lot of time to go before year end is over.

My problem is I am moving house in the middle of April, so will be letting HB know. The rent is different (a whole £5 a month cheaper :j) so I will need to send them my payslips. And I don't want this one-off overtime messing up my claim.

Thanks in advance :beer:

astonsmummy

Yep any increase or decrease in wages will effect your benefit.

Merry_Gentry

Yeah I thought so. Sigh, guess I'll just have to take the hit. Thanks :beer:

Kimberley

What if the overtime is just a one off, say that you get paid £6 extra one month do you still have to inform them then?

Merry_Gentry

I'm assuming so as this overtime is a one-off.

Kimberley

Merry_Gentry wrote: »

I'm assuming so as this overtime is a one-off.

So you have to go to them to say that you earned an extra £6 that month, they then re-calulate your entitlement then send you a revised statement, you then go back with your proper wages and then they go through it all again? :eek:

Macro_3

Merry Gentry, supply the pay slips showing the overtime along with a note stating that you have done some one-off overtime but that your hours will return to normal from now on. Then supply the next pay slips to show that your hours have returned to normal.

You will have the overtime taken into account for the period it is paid for (ie for that month, or two months or whatever) but they should then re-assess and it should return to normal.

Even an extra £6 should really be reported, although really, the costs of reassessing, printing new letters and posting them will probably cost more than the reduction in benefit for that month. Might be worth doing for your peace of mind, though, at least you'll know it's all 100% above board.

terryw

Kimberley wrote: »

So you have to go to them to say that you earned an extra £6 that month, they then re-calulate your entitlement then send you a revised statement, you then go back with your proper wages and then they go through it all again? :eek:

Basically, yes. The system is geared to claimants who have a fixed amount each week usually benefit or pension of some kind. If someone's income varies from week to week then the changes to HB and CTB become equally frequent.

terryw

Merry_Gentry

Macro wrote: »

Merry Gentry, supply the pay slips showing the overtime along with a note stating that you have done some one-off overtime but that your hours will return to normal from now on. Then supply the next pay slips to show that your hours have returned to normal.

Thanks Macro, that sounds more than fair. :beer:

Kimberley

terryw wrote: »

Basically, yes. The system is geared to claimants who have a fixed amount each week usually benefit or pension of some kind. If someone's income varies from week to week then the changes to HB and CTB become equally frequent.

terryw

I see, well since i've been working part time (3 years) I have had 4 lots of £6 overtime. I'll have to go to the benefits office with all my wages to show them that it was only 4 times eek! :eek:

astonsmummy

terryw wrote: »

Basically, yes. The system is geared to claimants who have a fixed amount each week usually benefit or pension of some kind. If someone's income varies from week to week then the changes to HB and CTB become equally frequent.

terryw

Oh dont I know it, I used to have to take my wageslip in every week becasue my wages would fluctuate so much.
We have a team of benefit assessors who will make any changes to claims while your sitting there.