Friend in trouble (homeless / no income)

Macro_3

alwaysonthego wrote: »

The CAB can ring the HB/LHA department whilst the client is there to find out the full facts.

They can, but in my experience they don't do that in the majority of cases. No idea why

Edited to add: any delay in contacting the housing benefits dept may result in the claim being cancelled if it has not been done already - it makes no sense not to contact them as the first port of call.

alwaysonthego_2

Macro wrote: »

They can, but in my experience they don't do that in the majority of cases. No idea why

Edited to add: any delay in contacting the housing benefits dept may result in the claim being cancelled if it has not been done already - it makes no sense not to contact them as the first port of call.

At my bureau they do and I have done it for my clients.

...but as you say they should contact the LHA/HB dept asap.

Fran

alwaysonthego wrote: »

The CAB can ring the HB/LHA department whilst the client is there to find out the full facts.

Citizens Advice refer homeless/potential homeless people to Shelter.

Alleycat wrote: »

I work for a housing advice charity and if there are significant rent arrears time is of the essence. I agree with Fran that the friend should not delay in contacting shelter for advice. They will be able to ask the appropriate questions directly and if the friend does not know for definite they will be able to enquire on his behalf.

Whilst it is useful to bring as much information as they can with them, let the professionals do the job they are there to do. Delays can result in eviction proceedings taking place, being out of time for appealing decisions and not being able to get as much of a backdate of benefits as may be needed (i.e. the 6 month max backdate rule for HB).

alwaysonthego_2

Fran wrote: »

Citizens Advice refer homeless/potential homeless people to Shelter.

They do indeed, the advisers have a specialist contact number not available to the public where referrals can be put through rapidly.

Also the CAB have access to food parcels and have info on services such as soup kitchens and churches who feed the homeless etc.