Can anyone help? Housing Benefit

dawnster95

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice for a friend if anyone can help. Basically, she moved into a private rented house in November with her partner, as they were expecting their first child, but he lost his job shortly after so they made a claim for housing benefit. They now haven't paid any rent for 4 months but the Landlady had been understanding about it up until a few weeks ago, when they got a letter stating the Landlady was going to evict them for not paying rent. My friend has phoned and been down to see them in person many times, but still isn't getting anywhere.

They can't afford to pay the rent as the only income they are getting at the minute is SMP and JSA (and I think tax credits). My friend is really worried and upset, they have a 9 week old baby and the benefits people have been messing them around for months, now they're going to be evicted if it doesn't get sorted soon. What can they do?

Thanks

cifpower

I would contact CAB or your local MP

Tigsteroonie

You say they've made a claim for housing benefit? Has it been accepted, has it paid, does it cover the rent?

dawnster95

They are still waiting to find out, I think they keep telling her they're still processing the claim.

speedfreek1000

What cifpower says! Plus also get her gather up all her evidence and to go in person to the Council offices and sit down face to face with an adviser to sort out the claim. They should tell her exactly what is going on and how she can resolve it there and then. The telephone helpline is quite frankly a bit hit or miss. If they request evidence always take it in person to the office. Never post it!

Decisions should take 4 weeks - note this is from when the last bit of evidence they have requested has been received.

Claims can drag on due to missing evidence and requests for further evidence (trust me I know this 1st hand). Submit claim & 4 weeks later you get a letter we need evidence A. You have 4 weeks. 4 weeks after you hand in A, oh sorry we need evidence B aswell etc etc etc.

Don't know if you can get an emergency payment?! CAB or Shelter would be able to advise you on that.