Council are being a pain & won't backdate my housing benefit

gandalfsbeard

Isn't it lovely how everyone is so helpful and constructive with their criticisms.

Oldernotwiser

gandalfsbeard wrote: »

Isn't it lovely how everyone is so helpful and constructive with their criticisms.

Getting answers that don't suit you isn't the same as criticism. You won't get it backdated on the information you've given and nobody will tell you that this will happen! Sorry.

gandalfsbeard

Actually I will and when I do I will come back to tell you all about it.

amberowl28

This isn't what you want to hear but i have been out of work for 3+ months when i went to enquire i was told incorrectly that i wasn't eligable. Reapplied at beginning of June following better advice from CAB. Waiting for final decision on HB this week but already been told it won't be backdated. I had to sell washing machine, tv, comp etc to pay rent and am now 2 months behind and having to leave to sleep on parents sofa. They gave me the same reasons as you.

[Deleted User]

If you dont actually owe any money and your home is safe why do you need it back dating?

dmg24

amberowl28 wrote: »

This isn't what you want to hear but i have been out of work for 3+ months when i went to enquire i was told incorrectly that i wasn't eligable. Reapplied at beginning of June following better advice from CAB. Waiting for final decision on HB this week but already been told it won't be backdated. I had to sell washing machine, tv, comp etc to pay rent and am now 2 months behind and having to leave to sleep on parents sofa. They gave me the same reasons as you.

Are you able to prove that you were misadvised? If so, you are entitled to have your benefit backdated.

The difference between you and the OP is that you did ask the question. They did not.

amberowl28

I have nothing in writing i just went into council and asked to speak to someone about applying for HB, it was a very brief talk during which i explained i was now out of work. Didn't have a current tenancy agreement as last one was never renewed and could i apply. She simply flicked through my form, which i'd partially filled in (only been given it 10 mins before) and said that as i didn't have current agreement wouldn't be eligable. Went to CAB some time later to seek financial advice and they said that they should have accepted old tenancy agreement as i'd just become a month to month tenant. Sorry to highjack the thread Gandalfsbeard.

Oldernotwiser

gandalfsbeard wrote: »

Actually I will and when I do I will come back to tell you all about it.

Only by lying!

That's what you're cheesed off about really, if you're honest; you thought you'd come on here and be given tips on how to cheat the system!

OrkneyStar

gandalfsbeard wrote: »

I was living at the current address where I am currently seeking 3 months backdated rent. I used savings to pay for the rent for this period and the little money I earned as a Graphic Design Intern for a well known sports brand (who cares who you worked for!).... so you did not need Housing Benefit ? This money began to dwindle drastically which led me to do some research online. I discovered I was able to claim Housing benefit through an article I found on moneysaving much to my surprise.....should have researched this straight away.

I'm a recent graduate currently working but again another unpaid Graphic Design Internship which is part time. I just about qualify for job seekers allowance as I don't work enough hours.....work more then, in a job not in your 'field' The job market is tough here in London, even mediocre jobs are difficult to obtain (well with the attitude that they are mediocre I would not employ you!). I genuinely don't know what a person is meant to do if they initially had no idea that Housing benefit was available to them. It's not as if they advertise this openly. Most of my friends have no idea about it whatsoever. So what is a person to do?? ......find out straight away, not 3 months later!
The Graphic Design market is ridiculously competitive hence why I'm trying my best to keep a foot in the door with these exploitative internships. And if things weren't bad enough apparently the council seem to think that they've paid me too much housing benefit and that I have to return £500. Quite astonishing considering I have not been earning any income due to my design internships. They're being thoroughly unreasonable.....em, no, you are chosing to work for no money and not seeking employment....why should they support your choices ?

On the plus side somehow I have managed to secure two job interviews for highly sought after Graphic Design positions. I've got everything crossed......good luck

Comments in pink, not being harsh to be horrible, just trying to inject a dose of reality.

dmg24

amberowl28 wrote: »

I have nothing in writing i just went into council and asked to speak to someone about applying for HB, it was a very brief talk during which i explained i was now out of work. Didn't have a current tenancy agreement as last one was never renewed and could i apply. She simply flicked through my form, which i'd partially filled in (only been given it 10 mins before) and said that as i didn't have current agreement wouldn't be eligable. Went to CAB some time later to seek financial advice and they said that they should have accepted old tenancy agreement as i'd just become a month to month tenant. Sorry to highjack the thread Gandalfsbeard.

I would detail all of this to them - including the date and time when you visited the council offices, and if possible, who you spoke to.

What did they do with the application form?

If you can't remember the name of the person that you spoke to, if she is based in the public area of the office I would go in and get her name (either discretely check her name badge or politely ask).

You basically need to build up enough evidence to prove that, on the balance of probabilities, you did take these steps to check your entitlement. The evidence does not have to be 100%, just sufficient to show that it is more than likely you took the steps you said that you did.