How long will they take? (HB)

willing2learn_3

This is more a rant than anything else......i've queried a housing benefit decision about 8 weeks ago and i've still not had a reply. Two weeks ago i got a letter telling me that it is being looked into and i won't be charged any overpayments until they have re-assessed the situation.

but how long now? My tax credits will stop this month as i am just over the threshold, and i have huge electric bill waiting and no idea how i'm going to pay it. I'm going to have to resort to cold showers and cold drinks since the majority of the energy i use is for showering in the morning and making cups of tea (when i'm home that is)

and to think i put in two days of time into querying it as well.

Anyone else had this problem? What are they doing with it?

dmg24

You appear to be oblivious to the fact that the economy has pretty much collapsed, and there has been a massive increase in benefit claimants. Hence, processing time has become considerably longer. No one on here can answer how long it will be until you hear back from your LA, you will need to ask them directly.

willing2learn_3

dmg24 wrote: »

You appear to be oblivious to the fact that the economy has pretty much collapsed, and there has been a massive increase in benefit claimants. Hence, processing time has become considerably longer. No one on here can answer how long it will be until you hear back from your LA, you will need to ask them directly.

You are making a judgement, based on one post, as to what goes on in my mind, what i know, what i am oblivious to?

Well here's another judgement, you appear to be quite rude.

As for speaking for everyone else in this forum - let them speak for themselves.

Regarding the economy, I have been well aware of the trouble it's in for a long time and anticipated the problems long before it even hit the news.

I'm concerned because I was told my housing benefit would stop and i don't know if it will be reinstituted or i will have to have local housing allowance. I understand waiting if there's good reason, but naturally i'm worried about my own difficult circumstances.

[Deleted User]

DMG is perfectly correct in that large numbers of claims are bringing the system to a grinding halt,my b.i.l has been waiting 8 weeks now for his first application for h/b to get sorted,they have now said that on the 9th week it will be a priority,but still no indication when first payment can be expected.

amberowl28

I applied beginning of April (no job) and am now 2 months behind on rent and really struggling and still had nothing from them despite repeatedly giving the same info they've asked for again and again. Only just had JSA come through and been living off family and crisis loan. I know in current climate their exceptionally busy and there are alot of people far worse off. I'd probably be being evicted already if didn't have such a understanding LL. All you can do is give all the info and wait. I agree no one here can tell you how long it will take, only the council.

willing2learn_3

woodbine wrote: »

DMG is perfectly correct in that large numbers of claims are bringing the system to a grinding halt,my b.i.l has been waiting 8 weeks now for his first application for h/b to get sorted,they have now said that on the 9th week it will be a priority,but still no indication when first payment can be expected.

Thanks Woodbine

I had considered that numbers of claims had shot up, but as my pay fluctuates i've had a lot of contact with them and i've always got a response within a week. I don't mind waiting in these circumstances - but it just felt odd to me that because i challenged something, suddenly there was no response.

It's reassuring that you and others think it's just the large volume of claims.

willing2learn_3

amberowl28 wrote: »

I applied beginning of April (no job) and am now 2 months behind on rent and really struggling and still had nothing from them despite repeatedly giving the same info they've asked for again and again. Only just had JSA come through and been living off family and crisis loan. I know in current climate their exceptionally busy and there are alot of people far worse off. I'd probably be being evicted already if didn't have such a understanding LL. All you can do is give all the info and wait. I agree no one here can tell you how long it will take, only the council.

amberowl28 - sorry you are having such a difficult time. As said to Woodbine above i did consider it was due to a large volume of claims but also wondered if it was just because i challenged a recent decision. I don't mind waiting if it's due to waiting for others to get help as well.

I didn't really expect anyone would know how long processing would take - unless there was a set time when decisions are challenged that someone knew of. If it's due to large volumes of claims only then i'm not stupid enough to think that someone here could give me a date.