HELP! Have I done the right thing?

In.need.of.some.luck

Hi all,

I am currently in receipt of Housing Benefit (have been in work many years but recently suffering bad health and being treated for it). I have been struggling financially as my SSP and HB do not anywhere near make up my usual salary, leaving me massively overdrawn and very short of money to pay bills etc

I applied for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help me and was granted this the other week. However I have now been given a gift of money by my Uncle who is probably the only person in my immediate family that is able to help. I was not expecting this and am very grateful as it will help me to pay what I need to etc.

My query is, I didn't want to get in any trouble and sent a letter off to inform the benefits people of this £500 sum. I dont want to do the wrong thing, but am worried it may stop my Housing Benefit? I hope to get back to work within a few months, but this sum ive been given is only helping me to catch up & pay what I need, rather than being a regular income.

Do you think this will cause them to stop my HB? I did what Ive been told to do in informing them of any change...I just hope this wont put me in an even worse position. I just wanted to do the right thing, rather than try and hide it and get into trouble. I just feel like I may have cut off my blood supply now so to speak as I very much need the HB to help me through and this money is only going to be used to pay bills etc.:(

Any advice?

concerned43

Cant see how this would affect your HB.

Jowo_2

Can't answer that specific question.

You've indicated previously a large shortfall in the rent due versus the LHA rate, meaning you have to top this up from other benefits at £100+ per month. What steps are you taking to resolve this?

Also, you have loan/credit commitments - have you posted your situation on the Debt Free Wanabee board as they'll be able to advise you how to deal with these?

In.need.of.some.luck

Jowo wrote: »

Can't answer that specific question.

You've indicated previously a large shortfall in the rent due versus the LHA rate, meaning you have to top this up from other benefits at £100+ per month. What steps are you taking to resolve this?

Also, you have loan/credit commitments - have you posted your situation on the Debt Free Wanabee board as they'll be able to advise you how to deal with these?

Hi, As mentioned I had only been receiving HB plus SSP from my work. The HB wasnt only covering 2/3 of my rent and so applied for DHP and this was granted recently (basically covering my full rent amount almost). As SSP is only 325 per month (usual salary 1300.00 per month) it has been hard to pay all my commitments. I have got debts but have always been able to pay them and should be back at work within a month-2 months hopefully, but having worked for a long time Ive always been in a position to pay all my expenses and unfortunately now Im struggling (not in arrears thankfully and this 800 should stop that happening)

The gift of money is to basically help me pay off what I can to keep me going until I can return to my full salary.

In.need.of.some.luck

I just got a call back....they wont be stopping my HB. Such a relief. Most likely the DHP will stop, but I should manage without that as I have this extra money, just as long as I can get well to go back to work soon. I am so relieved as I just want to catch up with my finances and have a bit of peace of mind for a while. All the money stress has been adding to my illness.

Thanks all for your comments.