Housing benefit - not declaring saving acct

emiai

I recieved a letter today after a home visit about my claim, I only told them about my current account and forgot to mention my savings account, i offset £40 a week into it to pay bills, its transferred back to my current account and bills are paid when they come in online. Gas elec etc...

Im wondering if im in serious trouble for not telling them about it, ive never had more then 3k in there, and it has all gone on bills - the statements show that.

Worried

karenx

Does the letter mention this is the reason for the visit?
I wouldnt worry about it, they do random checks to make sure who says they live there lives there and to check your claim is up to date etc etc. Keep some copies of the statements to show the officer what you do with the account and Im sure everything will be ok

Sallyann58

Sorry if I'm being thick - but did you tell them at the visit that you had the savings account but had not previously told them or do you mean you still haven't told them.
If it's the first scenario, then as long as your TOTAL income in all bank/building society accounts doesn't add up to over £6k at any one time, then your benefit may not be affected. If, by adding that £3k in the undeclared account, it takes your capital level over £6k then you might have an overpayment.
If it's the 2nd scenario (you still haven't told them about the account) then tell them straight away - be honest (because believe me they've heard it all before) about the fact that you forgot about it.
You haven't said what the letter says, if you can give some sort of summary of what's in it then this might indicate what is going on.

McKneff

Perhaps I am also being thick but why does it go out of your current account to your savings account then back to your current account to pay the bills, why dont you just leave it in your current account. (confused)

Aphrodite868

McKneff wrote: »

Perhaps I am also being thick but why does it go out of your current account to your savings account then back to your current account to pay the bills, why dont you just leave it in your current account. (confused)

Coz when you are on benefits you are on a fixed-limited income, so simply cannot afford to risk overspending on anything as you then would not have enough money to pay the bills on the date they direct debit goes out,
and have no way of getting any money from anywhere.


So its easiest to have 2 or 3 bank accounts, 1 where you put all your rent money, 1 where you put all bills money,
and 1 where you keep everyday spending money for food/travel/entertainment.

AnxiousMum

If you transfer money from one account to another etc, they will see this on the statements you have already provided them anyways. I would get in touch with them and tell them you forgot to include other statements - they'll know about it anyway, so you might as well disclose it so that they can see what it's for.

toontron

If the money all comes from benefit payments surely it isnt a problem?

Deepmistrust

Aphrodite868 wrote: »

Coz when you are on benefits you are on a fixed-limited income, so simply cannot afford to risk overspending on anything as you then would not have enough money to pay the bills on the date they direct debit goes out,
and have no way of getting any money from anywhere.


So its easiest to have 2 or 3 bank accounts, 1 where you put all your rent money, 1 where you put all bills money,
and 1 where you keep everyday spending money for food/travel/entertainment.

Surely people on benefits shouldn't have entertainment;)

Sorry, just trying to see if I can be one of those condescending Tory types that sometimes frequent these boards. :rotfl:

Aphrodite868

Deepmistrust wrote: »

Surely people on benefits shouldn't have entertainment;)

Sorry, just trying to see if I can be one of those condescending Tory types that sometimes frequent these boards. :rotfl:

Pardon me,
when i said entertainment i meant ''for them to sit in an empty room 16hours per day staring at the wall,
quietly smouldering and wallowing in self-digust at what a disgraceful cockroach they are
for raking in free cash while others have to work all month for less than they get given each week''!! :rotfl::D:p:cool:

Deepmistrust

Aphrodite868 wrote: »

Pardon me,
when i said entertainment i meant ''for them to sit in an empty room 16hours per day staring at the wall,
quietly smouldering and wallowing in self-digust at what a disgraceful cockroach they are
for raking in free cash while others have to work all month for less than they get given each week''!! :rotfl::D:p:cool:

That's better. That sound like more fun than the pub anyway. :rotfl:

Wee_Willy_Harris

Sounds exactly LIKE my pub!!!