Council Tax Benefit Claim

dmg24

I know there is a Benefits board on here but I just want a bit (lot) of a rant as opposed to advice!

I applied for Council Tax Benefit at the beginning of October. I do all my banking online so took print offs of my statements and took them into the council office. I was assured that these had enough information on to support my claim.

Two weeks later I got a letter back saying that the statements were not sufficient, and I must get originals from the banks (I have several accounts, though none have got much in!). I got told that I had four weeks to do this.

I contacted the banks straightaway, but for various reasons am still waiting for two statements (to prove I have nothing in the accounts!). I wrote to and emailed the council well within the four weeks to tell them I was still waiting and asked for longer to provide this information.

Today I have received a letter saying that, because they heard nothing from me within the four weeks, they have closed down my claim and I am therefore entitled to nothing. I am not a happy bunny.

I also asked for my claim to be backdated to August, on the grounds that I was too unwell to take care of my own finances at this time. I said that, should they require it, I can get a letter from my doctor. I got a letter back from the council saying that they will not backdate my claim, because I could have claimed earlier. No reasoning behind this - are they saying I wasn't ill?!!

I am going to appeal against all of this. I am just about to ring, email and write to them, but needed to vent beforehand so I can compose myself when I ring them (so I don't shout something along the lines of 'incompetent muppetts').

Thank you for listening! x