In need of advice on Housing Benefit rules

thirdbar

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

OK, point taken, but you are an adult and you yourself have said she gets muddled, perhaps you should have made sure she got it all sorted and not just left an elderly muddled person to flounder.

I suggest you get on the phone and tell the relevant agencies ALL the facts, don't leave it any longer or they may think the pair of you are failing to report changes.

Are you claiming anything where you are? and as another poster said where are you on the electoral roll as that is very important.
You can go on direct.gov for basic info on how benefits work and what constitutes a change, you need to avail yourself of this information so you can help your mother and educate yourself.

Hindsight would suggest that, although I would point out that I didn't realise my flying the nest would have any effect on her beyond the number of times the washing machine would be loaded in a week.

I don't claim anything at all. I will check the electoral roll information (I did attempt to register here once but the form came back for some reason - forgot after that) and change it if necessary. You're right I should get on the phone, and I shall tomorrow, but I had hoped for some pointers on what specifically to accost them regarding and how best to go about it.

Blackpool_Saver

How best to go about it, well I would find out exactly what Mum is claiming and if she is entitled to it in her own right for a start. Say for example if she is disabled and in receipt of any benefits for that, is she getting income support in her own right? etc etc, Is she able to discuss it with you at all, I mean does she understand it all herself? If she doesn't , maybe the both of you should go and get some advice together.
But, whatever you do, don't delay making those calls, both to housing benefit and income support.

thirdbar

Anyway, thanks so far for the advice folks. I will check those things mentioned and see if I can fix this.

I'm taking it that this isn't a normal thing to happen, so I will see if perhaps they are under the impression I'm still living at home or something like that.

thirdbar

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

How best to go about it, well I would find out exactly what Mum is claiming and if she is entitled to it in her own right for a start. Say for example if she is disabled and in receipt of any benefits for that, is she getting income support in her own right? etc etc, Is she able to discuss it with you at all, I mean does she understand it all herself? If she doesn't , maybe the both of you should go and get some advice together.
But, whatever you do, don't delay making those calls, both to housing benefit and income support.

Thanks, that is good advice. I actually really don't know what she gets aside from housing benefit and pension, I've just never pried into her financial affairs. She is cagey about such things. Perhaps you're right though that I should do so from now on. Certainly this gives grounds.

I will make calls tomorrow and find out what I can. I apologise for calling you rude before, I was just startled by the response.

dippy3103

If they wanted your payslips they must think you are living there.... can you provide proof you live elsewhere, a tenancy agreement would be ideal.

It sounds like she wasn't getting full HB then your non dep deduction nil qualified her. Maybe you could get her to sign a letter giving permission to discuss her claim in future- if she's easily confused it might make life easier.

It might be worth rining and explianing and asking if they can send a Visiting officer round to help her complete new forms and make a backdate request.

Good luck!

mjm3346

thirdbar wrote: »

Last month they demanded two payslips from me (though I wasn't sure why). I sent those to her, and she only just told me over the phone about the loss of her housing benefit.

If you are being treated as still living there your income (they have your payslips) will have been taken into account. It maybe as simple as confirming (probably require evidence) that you do not live there for the benefit to be reconsidered.

Blackpool_Saver

thirdbar wrote: »

Thanks, that is good advice. I actually really don't know what she gets aside from housing benefit and pension, I've just never pried into her financial affairs. She is cagey about such things. Perhaps you're right though that I should do so from now on. Certainly this gives grounds.

I will make calls tomorrow and find out what I can. I apologise for calling you rude before, I was just startled by the response.

Yes and I was a bit short.
We have had a lot of fake posts on here recently.
Let me know how you get on, I sent you a pm

thirdbar

dippy3103 wrote: »

If they wanted your payslips they must think you are living there.... can you provide proof you live elsewhere, a tenancy agreement would be ideal.

It sounds like she wasn't getting full HB then your non dep deduction nil qualified her. Maybe you could get her to sign a letter giving permission to discuss her claim in future- if she's easily confused it might make life easier.

It might be worth rining and explianing and asking if they can send a Visiting officer round to help her complete new forms and make a backdate request.

Good luck!

Thanks! You're right, they must still think I live there for some reason - I didn't think to question the payslips, but I really should have.

I will put in a call to the local council office which oversees her tenancy and try to get the ball rolling. Your suggestion regarding a visiting officer is actually a very good one, thank you

Oldernotwiser

thirdbar wrote: »

Hindsight would suggest that, although I would point out that I didn't realise my flying the nest would have any effect on her beyond the number of times the washing machine would be loaded in a week.
.

I would've thought that an adult child leaving home and no longer paying their share of the bills etc would have had a major impact on an elderly parent on the limited income of benefits.

thirdbar

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I would've thought that an adult child leaving home and no longer paying their share of the bills etc would have had a major impact on an elderly parent on the limited income of benefits.

I never paid any bills or rent (internet bill aside) as I mostly lived out in Uni accomodation. I'm puzzled by the implication that I should suddenly be liable now.

Anyway, thanks for your help everyone - I contacted the benefits helpline for her area and they were able to tell me that, yes, they did it because they thought I still lived with her. All I need to do is send a letter to the contrary. Panic over :T