Housing Benefit refused, what can i do?

thirty6

I am asking this on behalf of a friend, who has been "on the sick" for some time now. After moving property, she has been told that she is in reciept of working tax credits and has a job (blatantly NOT the case) - is there anything i can do to make them see sense? We're off to the housing benefit office today, as the landlord is getting increasingly testy about the lack of rent (understandably) - is there anything MSE's can offer as advice?

Oldernotwiser

You can claim LHA/HB even if you're working - it's assessed on any income so she'll need to provide proof of this.

thirty6

She is not working in any way, shape or form. Half the issue is proving this.
Perhaps bank statements could help with proving this?

Indie_Kid

Does she receive sickness benefits?

viktory

Why is it proving so difficult to prove she is not working? She must be in receipt of some form of benefit which would be suitable proof. Please explain what 'on this sick' means (personally I hate this phrase). Is she claiming SSp from her employer or is she in receipt of ESA? Hoe long has she been 'on the sick' for? Was she working prior to this?

Caz3121

Is she receiving working tax credits (whilst off sick)?

krisskross

Does she live alone?

Robbie64

The local HB office are trying to say she must be in work to be getting Working Tax Credit. Presumably she was in work when she first claimed WTC bit is she still now? If she is then they want further details. If she isn't, well she shouldn't be getting WTC unless she also gets SSP, Employment and Support Allowance or NI Credits. If she gets none of thjem her WTC should have ceased after (four?) weeks.

If her only income is WTC and she really shouldn't be getting it then she needs to move on to a more appropriate income (such as ESA) or do her utmost to convince the HB office to pay HB based on her actual income. She needs them to accept her claim and make a decision on it if she subsequently wants to appeal.