Worried sick, can someone please help?

Stressed_Dad

Hi, I hope someone can put my mind at ease here.

I have recently received a letter from my local council advising me that an appointment has been arranged to look into my claim for HB, it is a serious letter which advises that this will be done under caution and advises considering a lawyer.

It mentions that I have failed to mention in my application my claim for WFTC.

Its worth noting at this point that I am disabled and have a dabilitating neurological condition with one of the symptoms being poor concentration ( i struggle with forms on my own), this can be exasperated by stress, I am going through a seperation and employment tribunal under DDA so with this on top it is sending me over the edge.

Anyway I digress, I dont know if I have or havent put this on my application, sounds as though I havent by the tone of the letter.

I thouroughly checked what I was entitled to through the website entitledto.co.uk, this staed that I was entitled to WFTC and Housing Benefit ( i also work part time 16 hours per week.

Am I really entitled to both?
Am I likely to be prosecuted?

This is taking its toll and I have to wait until 6th May before being interviewed, its very stressfull, im not a fraudster I have done everything by the advice of the entitledto.co.uk website.

I despertaely need to know if anyone has been in a similar situation ?

Can anyone help please???:(

Indie_Kid

WTC is counted for HB purposes - you need to declare it when applying for HB.

karenx

Its likely you will just be asked to repay any overpayment from when you started to claim WTC. As its counted for housing benefit purposes

DavidP24

Do not say anything to incriminate yourself, you do have to declare anything as HB is a poverty benefit. Typically they take 85% of what you get. I know they don't take DLA but not sure about WFTC

Stressed_Dad

To previous posters, thanks for your input, i looked at the entitledto web calculation again and I took the HB claim as an award rather than a deduction which looks to be a big mistake on my part and certainly not intentional.

On another matter I pay my ex £300 per month to cover the mortgage on the property she lives in that was bought by us, is this something that will also have an effect on it as well?

Ive searched high and low on the internet and I cant see anything that says I am not entitled to HB even though I own part of another property but I do not reside in.

Any help would be gratefully welcomed.

karenx

Does HB know you own a property that you help pay for? I would assume this will go against you unless you wernt paying for it.

Stressed_Dad

I dont think it was a question in the application form, i cant remember, sorry my memory is absolutely shocking and lets me down often.

It would be useful to find more information on this, support for people with disabilities in benefits and employment has been non existant for me.

viktory

Stressed_Dad wrote: »

I dont think it was a question in the application form, i cant remember, sorry my memory is absolutely shocking and lets me down often.

It would be useful to find more information on this, support for people with disabilities in benefits and employment has been non existant for me.

Two suggestions:

Be absolutely honest about everything during the interview.
As your memory is so bad I would suggest you start writing everything down. Make copies of every form you complete so you can refer back to it. Use a dictaphone where necessary.

Stressed_Dad

Thank you for your advice, I am at a stage where i certainly need to start doing this now as my condition is progressive.

CHARDONNAY_3

Could you try speaking to someone at Citizen's Advice (or similar) as it seems you may benefit from some advice before attending the interview under caution & some assistance when filling in forms in the future.

Mupette

OP I can't offer any advice on your problem

BUT, i have neurological problems too and one of the main issues i have is very poor memory.

So what i did do when i could remember (lol yes funny haha) was to inform all who i was getting benefits and hb/ct that i have a memory issue, i informed them because i was scared that one day i might be accursed of something like forgetting to tell a department etc