£2,000 overpayment - taking most of OH's IB

AimeesMum_2

4yrs ago myself and my partner were claiming housing benefit at the rate of £600 a month for a property that was joined on to a business. There were 7 studio flats attached to an office which were all occupied.

2yrs ago we recieved a letter telling us that the landlord had not registered that this was a commercial property and therefore we had been overpaid housing benefit as this is against the rules.

We appealed and it was rejected. Since then we have been paying £15 per week to pay it back. Three weeks ago, we recieved a letter saying that this was going up to £70 per week and would be taken straight from my partners IB. We called and said we couldn't afford this much but would be happy to up the payments to £25 per week.

Today he recieved only £40 for his fortnightly incapacity and we called and they said that his request to lower the payment had been rejected and the £70 a week will stand. He also is paying back a crisis loan at £10 per week.

Can they take this much per week?

Fading_Star

AimeesMum wrote: »

4yrs ago myself and my partner were claiming housing benefit at the rate of £600 a month for a property that was joined on to a business. There were 7 studio flats attached to an office which were all occupied.

2yrs ago we recieved a letter telling us that the landlord had not registered that this was a commercial property and therefore we had been overpaid housing benefit as this is against the rules.

We appealed and it was rejected. Since then we have been paying £15 per week to pay it back. Three weeks ago, we recieved a letter saying that this was going up to £70 per week and would be taken straight from my partners IB. We called and said we couldn't afford this much but would be happy to up the payments to £25 per week.

Today he recieved only £40 for his fortnightly incapacity and we called and they said that his request to lower the payment had been rejected and the £70 a week will stand. He also is paying back a crisis loan at £10 per week.

Can they take this much per week?

Wow...I'd get onto CAB straight away....it sounds as though you should never have been made to pay it back in the first place, why don't they chase the landlord for it?! I'm sorry I can't help you much as have no idea about these things but £70 a week is a bit steep, I'd seek help from a welfare rights advisor or CAB. Good luck, sorry I wasn't more help

CountryGuy

Fading_Star wrote: »

Wow...I'd get onto CAB straight away....it sounds as though you should never have been made to pay it back in the first place, why don't they chase the landlord for it?! I'm sorry I can't help you much as have no idea about these things but £70 a week is a bit steep, I'd seek help from a welfare rights advisor or CAB. Good luck, sorry I wasn't more help

My thoughts exactly. Surely it is not the OP's error so why should they have to pay for someone else's mistake.

I too would contact CAB and I'd go as far as also contacting your MP

Good luck

sadie33

oh dear i am sorry to hear that your going through this.. you need to get to cab asap.. or welfare rights, they will be able to help you and will act quite quickly to get this sorted.. best of luck to you and try not to worry it will get sorted xx

pennypitstop_2

CountryGuy wrote: »

I too would contact CAB and I'd go as far as also contacting your MP

Good luck

Go to your MP first, in my opinion, it sounds like a terrible mistake has been made, either by HB people, or the landlord.

MPs have a surgery you can go to. Find out when and where the next one is and go there, take the documentation with you!

P