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

amberowl28

Thank you - i guess it might be possible to appeal - almost certainly too late to change situation but might give me enough to get a deposit for a new place eventually. Worth trying anyway as i think i remember the lady i spoke too.

Jowo_2

OrkneyStar wrote: »

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

Bit harsh.

There's no point in a skilled graduate in a specialist field applying to work in a supermarket because the prospective employer would realise upon application that its not an area they have an interest in. Their forms get binned by employers.

It is essential for new grads to get a competitive edge to distinguish themselves from their peers through internships - it is an investment in a career - rather than squandering their time and missing their window of opportunity by stacking beans. It's one of the hardest times in recent history for graduates to get entry level roles and even harder for certain specialisms.

Everything the OP has done is text-book best practice for a graduate and they should be celebrated for their accomplishment and for not giving up at the first hurdle to pull pints and bemoan their lot.

Those brought up within a culture of state benefits may be aware of their entitlement, how to apply for them and where to go for them but others much less experienced in these matters, equally entitled to them, find it thoroughly baffling on even the basics,which is why so many go unclaimed.

Personally, I much prefer the sense of enterprise shown by the OP to try and advance their career in these pressing times than having an encyclopaedic knowledge of benefits. It is not necessarily an asset or a skill and neither is reverse snobbery.

freeoffers

The OP is doing what he should do in the current climate. If you cannot find paid work then take voluntary work as it can be a doorway into paid employment and can be put on your CV.

The only thing I take issue with is the fact he ddint apply in time for his housing benefit. Sorry mister but that's your responsibility and not the councils. As soon as I lost my job I went to the council and found out what I could and couldnt claim.
Fortunately they were of great assistance and my case was pretty easy. You problem on this thread is giving away too much about yourself. You see some people on this forum think if you're unemployed or on benefits you're a scrounger. By telling them you werent looking for work outside your field you left yourself open to the usual comments of 'why dont you look for a job outside your field?'

trust me, i have a friend who graduated a few years ago and he went to work in argos trhough the holiday season. Now he's unemployed again and looking for work and its difficult an he isnt even sticking to work in his field.

You need to let the HB thing go though. It could have been far worse if you hadnt found out about it.

[Deleted User]

Jowo wrote: »

Bit harsh.
There's no point in a skilled graduate in a specialist field applying to work in a supermarket because the prospective employer would realise upon application that its not an area they have an interest in. Their forms get binned by employers.

freeoffers wrote: »

The OP is doing what he should do in the current climate. If you cannot find paid work then take voluntary work as it can be a doorway into paid employment and can be put on your CV.
.

Whilst I agree with some of these points why does this mean he should be entitled to back dated housing benefit when the money is not outstanding?

His rent has, quite rightly, been paid by his savings. He is not at risk of homelessness due to non payment of rent as so many others are due to the current climate.

Are you really suggesting that our benefits system should be used to replenish the savings of people who have used their savings to pay for the unexpected?

Is this not why we save? To cover such things if we become unexpectedly ill, unemployed or a carer. Or do we just save for holidays, the so called property ladder or purly the pleasure of watching the money grow in an account while we get handouts to pay for essential items?

All the luck to him gaining experience so he can get work, but whilst doing that if you have savings they should be used before benefits and he can start saving again once he has paid work.

gandalfsbeard

OrkneyStar wrote: »

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

I'm not a child I certainly don't need you to give me a dose of reality. I have recently graduated, I'm working part time within one of the most difficult industries and also freelancing to earn some extra cash and experience. Please find someone else to patronize.

dmg24

gandalfsbeard wrote: »

I'm not a child I certainly don't need you to give me a dose of reality. I have recently graduated, I'm working part time within one of the most difficult industries and also freelancing to earn some extra cash and experience. Please find someone else to patronize.

If you have recently graduated, then you would not be eligible for LHA for the period of backdating as that would still be term time. Students are not generally allowed to claim LHA (there are limited exceptions to this).

How is your appeal going? :rolleyes:

gandalfsbeard

Jowo wrote: »

Bit harsh.

There's no point in a skilled graduate in a specialist field applying to work in a supermarket because the prospective employer would realise upon application that its not an area they have an interest in. Their forms get binned by employers.

It is essential for new grads to get a competitive edge to distinguish themselves from their peers through internships - it is an investment in a career - rather than squandering their time and missing their window of opportunity by stacking beans. It's one of the hardest times in recent history for graduates to get entry level roles and even harder for certain specialisms.

Everything the OP has done is text-book best practice for a graduate and they should be celebrated for their accomplishment and for not giving up at the first hurdle to pull pints and bemoan their lot.

Those brought up within a culture of state benefits may be aware of their entitlement, how to apply for them and where to go for them but others much less experienced in these matters, equally entitled to them, find it thoroughly baffling on even the basics,which is why so many go unclaimed.

Personally, I much prefer the sense of enterprise shown by the OP to try and advance their career in these pressing times than having an encyclopaedic knowledge of benefits. It is not necessarily an asset or a skill and neither is reverse snobbery.

Thanks ever so much for your insight. It's nice to know that there is someone in this conversation with a bit of empathy and intelligence. Firstly just to make it clear I'm actually a woman, not a man. Don't be fooled by my id name, I'm just a big fan of the character (and the beard)

Secondly, I very much agree about being caught in the dilema of leaving my field of work for another so that I can get some money. I have noticed that if you have listed work outside of the creative field on your resume the employer more often than not disregards your application. It's really extremely competitive market but with some perseverance I've been able to secure a couple of upcoming interviews which I hope to god will translate into long term stability.

As for my back dated rent claim, I literally have nothing now in terms of money. Just the money coming in from my job seekers allowance which goes on food and travel costs. All my savings went on the rent but I actually had to borrow money to pay for half of it. The little money I have been earning for freelancing I am paying to the friend who I borrowed the money from.

To those who think they're judge judy or something turning their noses up at my posts. You might think it's fine and dandy, that I can get by because I used my savings but I along with many others am in a dire financial situation. It's not a piece of cake living in London as a recent graduate you know. I don't have any financial help from my parents or family either. I'm just trying to find my feet in the world. I'm not trying to 'cheat' the system as someone else pointed out. I'm just like anyone else out there who is struggling to get by. I will definitely appeal the councils decision. This does not make me a scrounger or a bad person.

gandalfsbeard

dmg24 wrote: »

If you have recently graduated, then you would not be eligible for LHA for the period of backdating as that would still be term time. Students are not generally allowed to claim LHA (there are limited exceptions to this).

How is your appeal going? :rolleyes:

Don't presume I'm claiming for the months in which I was a student. I graduated in the summer. I'm claiming for the 3 months at the end of 2008 :rolleyes:

dmg24

gandalfsbeard wrote: »

Don't presume I'm claiming for the months in which I was a student. I graduated in the summer. I'm claiming for the 3 months at the end of 2008 :rolleyes:

So you have not recently graduated.

Why are you appealing something that has been demonstrated to be entirely correct? Do you think they are going to change the Law just for you?

Intelligence and maturity would be accepting that although the decision is not in your favour, it is correct.

vegankris

_shel wrote:

Are you really suggesting that our benefits system should be used to replenish the savings of people who have used their savings to pay for the unexpected?

To be fair, the benefits system allows people to have a capped amount of savings (sorry can't remember the amount off the top of my head) and still be able to receive benefits.
Yet again, people are being overly harsh and presumptious towards the OP in their replies.