Housing Benefit Run-On

HappyMJ

I am really confused. Signed off from Jobseekers Allowance to pursue several self employed part-time contracts adding up to a full time job. Was on JSA for 11 months so I am entitled to run-on of HB. Got a letter Saturday and it is confusing to say the least. Here goes..

Page 1 says Reason for Calculation : Claim has lapsed
This benefit ends on 10th Oct 2010
You have failed to return your form/proof to support your claim and your claim has now lapsed.
If you would like to make another claim contact us

Page 2 says Reason for Calculation : Claim ended, off JSA
This benefit ends on 12th Sep 2010
If you would like to make another claim contact us

Page 3 says Reason for Calculation : Extended Payment
Weekly Award is £91
Less Overpayment Recovery £4
Net Benefit Payable £87
Benefit starts on 13th Sep 2010
Benefit ends on 10th Oct 2010
Weekly eligible rent £124
Payment by crossed cheque two weeks in arrears

Page 4 says Reason for Calculation : Extended Payment
Assessed Capital £0

Page 5 says How your benefit is worked out
Total Weekly income ----
Less Total applicable amount ---
Gross excess income ---
Relevant Percentage 65%
Eligible Weekly Rent £124
Less non dependant deuctions £0
Less % of excess income ---
AMOUNT OF BENEFIT £124

Page 6 says Reason for Calculation : Claim ended : JSA ceased
You ave been overpaid HB
Period of Overpayment
13th Sep 2010 to 19th Sep 2010 £91
Total amount overpaid £91
£91 will be recovered against ongoing entitlement at £5

Page 7 is an overpayment statement
The current overpayment outstanding is £91

What on earth is going on? I was told there was nothing I needed to do to get the run-on of Housing Benefit it would just be paid to me. I did advise Council that the JSA was ending and they said (verbally) that's fine if you have been on JSA for more than 6 months you'll get run-on payments automatically. I went to Jobcentre 6 weeks after the claim ended for a follow up meeting and they said the same thing. It's now the 17th Oct 2010 and I still haven't had a payment and now they want overpayments back which I have never even got. Arghhhh...

Is this a normal sequence of letters? Will I get a cheque for £87 times 4, £91 times 4 (the LHA rate) or £124 times 4? Why does it say on Page 5 in large capitals AMOUNT OF BENEFIT £124 when it clearly isn't?

Thanks so much for any advice.....

fluffymovie

In order to load a housing benefit run on, we have to cancel the claim from the Sunday following the end of your JSA.
We then load an extended payment period for 4 weeks and if you wish to continue to claim after that, you need to provide income details.
The claim will lapse at the end of your extended payment otherwise.
Your EPP is paid as though you were still on JSA so you should get 4 extra weeks at the same rate you did before

shjo558

Unfortunately the software providers don't make it easy to award an 4 week run on as detailed on the above post.

Reading your post though, it looks like it has been awarded correctly but I suspect you have been overpaid £91 and will be invoiced for that.

Might be worth phoning your local council and ask them to confirm the details as it's easier to understand by asking a real person as opposed to reading those decision notices.

fluffymovie

I think the op was created because by the time they cancelled your award due to end of jsa, they had paid past the September date given in your post.

They will then award the 4 week run on which will result in an underpayment.

This will mean the op will be cleared and more benefit will be paid for the other 3 weeks