Does this sound right??

jlouise123_2

I thought I'd been overpaid housing benefit, I went into my localhousing office today to run through everything with them, and it turns out i've been underpaid!! I told them I don't think this is right but their pretty adament, they've awarded me full entitlement for housing and council tax benefit from today, however, I receive £198 per week from WTC and CTC, £119 of that pays for nursery costs. I receive £1000 before tax from my wages per month and also child benefit.
To me, full entitlement seems alot considering what im earning and the amount of tax credits im receiving, i asked them to double check, they did and came back with the same conclusion, am I going completely mad or are they right??
Thanks in advance

briggy

Did they give you a copy of the calculation? I would check the figures very carefully.

I think because of your child care charges you should be entitled to something but not full entitlement

How many children do you have? What is the split of WTC and CTC?

Do your LA have a online calculator, if so I would put the figures in there, much more reliable than entitledto etc

kazzah60

I would write to them ( keeping a copy) and give them details of ALL your income, then put down what they say you are entitled to

then simply ask them to re-check it and let you know the outcome in writing,

That way - IF they have made a mistake- you have been seen to query it in writing and have given them all your incomings, so if they are mistaken you have made them aware of your income and it should afford you some protection against them coming back and claiming you didn't inform them of something.

fluffymovie

Ok so if I was working it out, I would do as follows;

Your applicable amount would be £67.50, £62.33 for your child and £17.40 family premium meaning you would need £147.23 per week.

Income wise, we would ignore your Child Benefit and so, earnings of £1000 pcm = £230.77 per week.
Child and Working Tax Credit of £198.00

Total income = £428.77

From your income we would disregard £25 per week from your earnings as you are a lone parent. £17.10 as I assume you work more than 16 hours and £119 per week in respect of your child care charges (assuming you have told the council this amount)\

I would calculate that your weekly income used in the calculation would be £267.67 which is more than they say you need to live on. You would then need to contribte 65% of this difference towards your rent and 20% towards your Ctax,

£267.67 - £147.23 = £120.44
65% of this is £78.29

I would say that it does sound wrong! I find it easier when I can see the notification letters but I am concerned!

If you want to PM me the prescise calculation as noted on your sheet, I will have a look for you (I work in HB!)

Check the Child Care amount they are using (usually shown as expenses on your letters), check the amount of WTC and CTC and let me know the applicable amount you receive.

jlouise123_2

Hi there,

This is what they've said to me on the phone, Im waiting for the award to come through in the post. I've phoned on three separate occasions today alone and received the same answer, I have sent them, 6 months worth of wage slips, 6 months worth of bank statements, p60, a letter from my childcare provider and the letter with my new tax credit award. Three separate people have looked at this in the housing benefit department because I've complained three times that it's not right, i've complained again today and each person contacted me with the same outcome. One of them basicaly told me to leave them alone and said I should count myself lucky, I politly explained, that no, I am not lucky because in a few months time your going to be doing everything you can to claw back overpayments! When I get my housing benefit notice, i'll pm you fluffymovie, all the details if you don't mind... I don't know what else to do, i've done everything i can to prove them wrong but they won't have it. Thanks for your help

fluffymovie

No worries honey, hopefully it is right!

Just make sure you make a note of names, times and dates of calls as when i deal with appeals, this is the sort of thing that really backs up your case.

PM with your figures when you get them and I'll happily check when you get your letters!

Oldernotwiser

If you think that you're being overpaid, you could put the excess in the bank and leave it there until you're sure it's correct. If it's wrong, you'll have the money available to repay it.