Compensation from the council??

carlih1

Hi

I have been talking to Lynzpower about taking this further, (thanks again), and wondered if any of you have any experience.

I started work last july, i am a single parent with two children. Since then the housing/council tax benefit has never been correct, every month they send me an overpayment notice and they say i owe over £1k.

In february my child care was taken off for no reason and i am now getting the grand sum of £50 hb a week. My housing officer has been very good about it all and i have complained to them asking for the whole year to be recalculated.

I have given them every wage sliptax credit and childcare form they have asked for, informed them of any changes, of which there was only one when i only got paid for 3 weeks instead of four, hence them owing me money. They don't seem to see it like this?

Is it worth complaining to see if i can get any compensation for the stress they have caused me?

THanks

Carli x

all_hours

Sorry Carli I can't offer any advice but you have my total sympathy, I had this exact problem with HB + CTB. The child tax credit I received specifically to pay for childcare was added as income but they didn't take off the childcare costs.

It took several visits to the offices + appeals before it was corrected. I understand the stress element, how are you supposed to cover your rent?

Good luck.

domestic_goddess

I owuld say its worth a try. Send them a strongly worded letter and see what happens. Copy in your local MP too. So the council know you mean business!!

carlih1

Thank you very much for your support.

I seem to have the worst luck with these people tax credits any goverment place of work.

I will devise a very strongly worded letter and send it on!

Carli

beanielou

Worth a try but hate to say think you will be unsuccessful.
mind you maybe depends where you are so you may be lucky.

phil140701

unfortunatly me and my wife lost a child in november he was only ten weeks old had put claim in for tax credits and then had to cancel it for reasons that any normal person can seeany how we thought that was the end of it and started to move on with our lives only wait for it, you guessed it they cocked up we went to the bank 1st week of last month to draw some cash and there was an extra £780 quid so being cautious we didnt touch it we went to local dss office to find out what the money was for. they had paid us for child tax credit from november to may in 1 lump even after we had told them in writing to cancel the claim they said we had 2 choices 1.they could take the money back and that would be the end of it 2.we could keep it and pay it back as an over payment so we decided to give it back. anyhow my wife being very emotional suffers from mental health problems (deppresion and anxiety) when telling her phychiatrist about it was told to make a complaint through a solicitor ,so she did and guess what ? they paid her £500 compo for the inconvenience so my answer is yes complain and moan until they pay out its your right to moan and with any luck as it was their mistake you could be in the money too hope this helps

gallygirl

Carlih, sorry you've had such a hard time. I's strongly suggest you write an offical complaint, and tell them you're copying in your MP. Set out every fact in the letter, including all financial info, change of circs, notifications of benefit etc, so that everything is one place. I woudln't say I wanted comp, just a thorough review, and stress just how worried you've been, affecting your health etc.

I am sure your MP will write to the council on your behalf. I have a v low opinion of politicians, however as constituency MP's most are v good.

I used to work for a council - MP's letters were put in their own folder known as an 'MP's Jacket'. People did taake notice of it - at the very least the case shoudl be completely reviewed, and hopefully any overpayment written off.

Good luck.

In_Search_Of_Me

Really sorry to hear that...hope things look up for you both soon...

phil140701 wrote:

unfortunatly me and my wife lost a child in november he was only ten weeks old had put claim in for tax credits and then had to cancel it for reasons that any normal person can seeany how we thought that was the end of it and started to move on with our lives only wait for it, you guessed it they cocked up we went to the bank 1st week of last month to draw some cash and there was an extra £780 quid so being cautious we didnt touch it we went to local dss office to find out what the money was for. they had paid us for child tax credit from november to may in 1 lump even after we had told them in writing to cancel the claim they said we had 2 choices 1.they could take the money back and that would be the end of it 2.we could keep it and pay it back as an over payment so we decided to give it back. anyhow my wife being very emotional suffers from mental health problems (deppresion and anxiety) when telling her phychiatrist about it was told to make a complaint through a solicitor ,so she did and guess what ? they paid her £500 compo for the inconvenience so my answer is yes complain and moan until they pay out its your right to moan and with any luck as it was their mistake you could be in the money too hope this helps

carlih1

Thanks,

Big thanx to everyone for your advice will keep you all updated.

Phil sorry to hear of your loss, you have my deepest sympathy.

Carli x