Housing Benefit Enquiry

quidsinquentin

Hi all

I'm helping a friend with a Jobcentre/Housing Benefit issue. The JC have actually been nice/helpful, but the HB are being a bit heavy-handed.

Can anyone tell me what the regulations are regarding the £20 disregard and HB please?

We're struggling to find an advice centre that's (a) open and (b) got an appointment this year!

The friend is on IB. He's been offered work of under 4 hours at £20 a week. The JC say that's fine - we've checked with them.

The JC have explained that it would come under a 'disregard' rule. That he's entitled to earn £20 (no more).

The HB have asked for so much stuff it's doing my head in (let alone his). Letters, confirmation letters (can't see the employer enjoying getting mixed up with that!) bank statements, cheques, savings books (he hasn't any so how do I go on with that?!) the list is endless. Then they're going to suspend his claim (I gather this is a formality?). Then, they say, they'll let him know if he can continue with it. And if his HB will be affected.

The person we spoke to was most unpleasant, and I know they have a job to do but there's no need to look down your nose at someone who's trying to improve their life. Jeeez! :rolleyes:

Anyway, does anyone know what they are entitled to reasonably ask for, and what they can do/not do? Or can they do/ask for anything?

(He's nothing to hide either! But half the stuff they've asked for is going to take me ages to get, and the employer would like him to start next week. But we can't until this is sorted.)

Any advice warmly appreciated! :beer:

quidsinquentin

And another thing...(bump)

dmg24

They are entitled to ask for everything that they have.

Vader123

Anyway, does anyone know what they are entitled to reasonably ask for,

If he can't pay for a roof over his head and wants the state to pay it instead, he will have to abide by the rules and "wants" of that state.

Some of them rules is forwarding paperwork etc etc.

It can get tiresome, but the state has to make all the checks.

Vader

fluffymovie

In order to process a claim for someone in work, they need evidence of all capital and this includes savings books if he has one etc. They also then need evidence of the earnings.

If your friend has not got payslips, which he won't have yet of course, they would either suspend his claim altogether which is far from ideal, or provisionally assess it using his gross earnings which is why they probably want a letter from the employer.

The Jobcentre work to different rules and these wages come under permitted work but for HB, these earnings will be treated as income over and above his Incapacity Benefit so may reduce his HB overall depending on his other income.

There are disregards made for people in work who are classed as disabled are £20 however so if they have no other income and currently get full HB, this shouldn't affect the claim

As someone who works in HB, please trust me when I say that the vast majority of us want to help not hinder people and that if they do ask for something, it is probably because the rules that we work to say we have to.

quidsinquentin

fluffymovie wrote: »

In order to process a claim for someone in work, they need evidence of all capital and this includes savings books if he has one etc. They also then need evidence of the earnings.

If your friend has not got payslips, which he won't have yet of course, they would either suspend his claim altogether which is far from ideal, or provisionally assess it using his gross earnings which is why they probably want a letter from the employer.

The Jobcentre work to different rules and these wages come under permitted work but for HB, these earnings will be treated as income over and above his Incapacity Benefit so may reduce his HB overall depending on his other income.

There are disregards made for people in work who are classed as disabled are £20 however so if they have no other income and currently get full HB, this shouldn't affect the claim

As someone who works in HB, please trust me when I say that the vast majority of us want to help not hinder people and that if they do ask for something, it is probably because the rules that we work to say we have to.

Thanks.

But we were given the impression that we were 'bothering' the person dealing with us.

There is no issue providing anything that the HB want, but when we asked questions, like "does the disregard mean that he CAN earn £20", the response was far from clear. Other questions were met with equally unclear answers. So, it's not at all clear - re HB - if it's (a) worth his while trying the work, or (b) if it's even permitted.

There is no other income, other than IB. There are no savings accounts, or anything like - he has no capital.

dmg24

Vader123 wrote: »

If he can't pay for a roof over his head and wants the state to pay it instead, he will have to abide by the rules and "wants" of that state.

Some of them rules is forwarding paperwork etc etc.

It can get tiresome, but the state has to make all the checks.

Vader

Sounds like our comments were not welcome Vader!

quidsinquentin

Not at all.

(a) I didn't understand them
(b) they weren't particularly helpful.

Vader123

quidsinquentin wrote: »

Not at all.

(a) I didn't understand them
(b) they weren't particularly helpful.

dmg24 stated that what they have asked for, they are entitled to.

I stated that in order to claim the benefit you have to jump through their hoops.

I suspect you knew both points well but did not appreciate being told so.

You said :

Any advice warmly appreciated

which clearly was not the case.

Vader

quidsinquentin

Vader123 wrote: »

dmg24 stated that what they have asked for, they are entitled to.

I stated that in order to claim the benefit you have to jump through their hoops.

I suspect you knew both points well but did not appreciate being told so.

You said :



which clearly was not the case.

Vader

Thank you for your comments.

However, I'd appreciate your not posting any further ones on any posts that I make, as:

(a) I don't appreciate your attitude
(b) I don't appreciate your comments
(c) I don't regard what you said as advice.

Cheers :beer:

seven-day-weekend

However, what Vader said is correct. Maybe you got a person lacking in customer service skills on the day, but the fact remains that his claim will not be decided until he has provided everything they have asked for. If he has no savings books, then obviously you can't bring any.

I suggest that the paperwork is taken into the HB office in person, photocopied there and then and given back, or a receipt given for it.