Income Support Query

Noozan

My mum is in receipt of income support (in place of Incapacity Benefit) and disability living allowance and has been living with us for the past few months. She was offered a housing association flat and has formally accepted it (get the keys tomorrow
:j )

Today, I telephoned the jobcentre plus who gave me the number of a central office to register a change of address.....I thought it mght be a case of just informing them of the change of address either verbally or in writing but the woman said she would send out a form which has to be filled in and returned within 3 weeks or her claim would be cancelled. I asked what the form involved and she said it the income support would be treated as a new claim. I did query it and she was quite abrupt and said, yes, it would involve filling out all the forms again. Is this correct??

Noozan

Also, on a side note, is there any kind of grant she can claim to help with furnishing the flat?

The living room carpet needs replacing, but the rest of it looks fine and just needs a good clean. There is a condenser dryer provided as there's only a small communal washing drying area outside. We managed to get a virtually new washing machine from Freecycle but that's all we have in the way of furniture/appliances at the moment.

lil_me

Shemay have misunderstood the change in circumstances, usually change of address is much more straight forward. I would call again and ask.

Keep trying freecycle, inc for the carpets. Have had a few offered near me but usually snapped up quickly so may be better to put wanted adverts aswell. There are sites like Dontdumpthat in some areas and other similar websites. There is Community Care Grants which she may be entitled to which do not have to be repaid. Also there are Budgeting Loans but these do have to be repaid. I would urge you to help her apply for both ASAP as sometimes takes a while to sort out. Apply for the max, they can only say no really.

Great news about the flat by the way, bet you're all very happy, may be stressful now but it'll be worth it.

Noozan

lil_me wrote:

Shemay have misunderstood the change in circumstances, usually change of address is much more straight forward. I would call again and ask.

Have tried phoning this afternoon but both times i was put on hold for over 10 mins and then just cut off :mad: My concern now would be that they just cut off her claim if she doesn't fill in all the forms and jump through hoops again.

lil_me

I would have them completed anyway and in the mean time try and get through. I know it can be a little frustrating. No harm I suppose in completing the forms again so they have up to date info, but if it's dealt with as a new claim they could argue with grants etc as usually have to be on benefits a specific length of time to qualify. When you do get through ask for the forms.

jayne.doe

hi your mum should just have to fill in a change of circs form for I/s what they will need to know basically is new address, when she moved in, change of post office for any emergency payments and who lives at this address ie any more changes of circs.... shouldnt be a new claim ring again:) also community care grant- she wont have to pay this back if she gets a budgeting loan that will be dependant on how long she has been on i/s for and she will need to pay this back.

caz2460

Hi

My Sister works for the jobcentre. I have called her and she said she just be a matter of filling in a quick form asking about has your mother sold her house etc.

She said a few of the jobcentres do this as they cannot be bothered with doing it!!!

Just ring up or go in to your local jobcentre and ask for a LIVE TRANSFER. If they say they cannot do it and need to start a new claim, just tell them that you will not do that and will only fill in Change of Circs form, think its a HNBC1. But don't quote me on the form number

lisa83546708

just asked for a change of address form otherwise known as an NHB1A this will also include forms for housing benefit and council tax benefit.
pop into the local JCP and they will issue the forms now. depending on where you live, you maybe now be able to tell them over the phone, but his process is rolling out and may not be able to do right now, but any how the NHB1A is the form!
sorry to hear you had a bad experience, we are usually helpful!

dblue75

The form to change address is a NHB1a form . It is straight forward . It will go to the new office in the area where your mum is claiming and they will transfer in the claim . Simple as that . I work for the DWP and there are plenty of nuggits who work in beside me who don't have a clue . But blame the government.They cut 30000 jobs and expect us to deliver . It is near impossible now . Also she can ask for a Budgeting loan form to assist with stuff for the house . Hope this helps

dblue75

Also a word to note !!!! Change of addresses are NOT and never will be accepted over the phone . Whoever told you this got it completely wrong . I know i ran the pilot for the whole of Britain and a C.O.A is NOT going to be accepted this way .

lisa83546708

they are now accepting coa over the phone as well as a range of other of things like bank details, closing claims and claim withdrawals, in certain offices. like most pilots, even when it doesnt work, they still bring them in. i too work for jcp, my office is one of them bringing in these procedures.
i hope however, the change in address is sorted out soon for your mum
x