DWP take £48 for Southwark Council a week...

zampa1967

for overpayment of Housing Benefit from my Pensioner Father who is 77, his Pension is £120 a week, they have done this for a year or so now and he has received no help, can they do this? he has a works pension which is £360 a month but his rent alone is £95 a week, any help would be appreciated

viktory

How much was the overpayment and how did it accrue? Must have been quite significant, as £48 a week for a year is £2,496. Are you saying he gets £90 a week private pension and £120 state pension - making a total of £210 a week? If so, £95 a week rent is not an impossible sum.

Oldernotwiser

Could you clarify how much HB your father receives and whether the £95 rent takes this into account?

allen35

Based on that income he should be receiving up to £60 approx assistance with rent, don't see why it's DWP and not the Local Authority taking the overpayment, have you tried negotiating the repayment plan and does anyone else live in the rented property with him.

If he receives the approx £60 (based on living alone) they would reduce entitlement by the amount they are recovering (£48) leaving a HB award of £12 towards rent approx.

Does seem very excessive recovering £48 per week which is roughly 40% of income after paying rent.

zampa1967

many thanks for your replies and help.
He lives alone my mum passed away last september and had been in a care home for 4 years.
He receives a LT Pension of £350 a month
Hes Pension was £128 a week its now £84
Hes rent is £95
Southwark Council went to his pension DWP and ask to deduct £48
He receives no benefits whatsover
hope that helps
I dont know what to do

thanks very much