Benefit Confusion + More.

Mr.Clueless

Hi everyone,

I recently applied had a Crisis Loan and recieved a letter to say they would take the payments from my (IS) but I'm getting (IB) and had a letter a 9 months ago to say I no longer met the requirments to get the (IS) top-up.

Does this mean I have been given back the top-up of (IS) and not been told? I will be ringing them in the morning to find this out but would like some advice onthe matter before I proceed.

If they confirm that I am in receipt of the (IS) top up will it mean I have been paying for my pre-scriptions and paying towards my rent and council tax for no reason? also could I claim some sort of refund for what I have been paying out for these past 9 months?

Also if I am recieving the (IS) top-up could I get some sort of help for a full set of dentures as really need some replacements as my current set no longer fit at all.

Could I also apply for a budeting loan as my flat was recently broken into and they trashed my flat and now need a new bed, cooker, tv paint for the walls to cover the graphetti and new carpet as I had no choice but to remove it as they had used it as a toilet, I also like some new locks to feel safe in my flat again.

I also I need some new clothes as I recently lost a lot of weight and gone from a size 44 waist to a size 30 waist so all my clothes are now huge on me lol.

Am I reading the form correctly that it would cover these costs except for the dentures also if it helps I'm single with no dependants and no savings of any kind.

Thank you in advance.

Mr.Clueless

pmlindyloo

See here for information about a budgeting loan

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/benefits/help_for_people_on_a_low_income_-_the_social_fund.htm

I suspect that they have made a simple mistake and confused IB ad IS. However, give them a ring to check it out.

Haven't you got contents insurance?

Mr.Clueless

Hi,

Sadly my contents insurance ended a few months back and due to paying towards rent and council tax I could'nt afford to extend my current insurance or get new insurance sadly.

Also under debt and hire purchase on the form would this cover paying off a provident loan?

Thank you.

pmlindyloo

What was the Provident loan for and how much?

Mr.Clueless

Hi,

The loan amount was £120 and part of it was just to pay for elec and gas bill £30 each and £60 towards rent arrears.

Thanks.

pmlindyloo

I think it may be possible but am not totally sure. As far as I know you do not have to be too specific about what the loan was for (or so I have read)

I think the maximum amount is £1500 but I think they will look at your crisis loan that you have already received and take that into consideration - it all comes from the same 'pot'.

I'm sorry to hear that you were burgled. Hope you get sorted.

Have you tried Freecycle and charity shops for some of the things you need?

Mr.Clueless

Hi again,

The crisis loan was for £40.53p and the letter I got in the post said they will be taking £12.53p each week from my (IS) but on the letter that I got when collecting the giro said the same but they would be taking it from my (IB). I won't know if I'm getting (IS) til tomorrow morning of course I will post the results of my call to them tomorrow.

So you can see my confusion as why did they feel the need to send a second letter to say they would be taking it from my (IS)?

Thank you.

Whiteknight

Why not look on your local freecycle group for all the stuff you need.

You could also donate all the clothes you have that no longer fit.

Adereterial

The system that generates the Crisis Loan letters is slightly flawed.

Did you apply for and receive a Crisis Loan whilst you were receiving IS, at all? If so, that will probably explain it - the system has probably picked up on old details and has generated the email that way.

The Social Fund system is independant of the benefit system to a degree and relies principally on Decision Makers inputting information accurately - they may have made a mistake when they input the qualifying benefit to set up the repayments. It's extremely unlikely to mean that a benefit has been reinstated without you knowing. If you were due to receive extra money you would in all probability have been asked by the DM for an explanation as they should check all benefit interests to verify what you've told them before deciding on making a payment.

Mr.Clueless

Hi,

To WhiteKnight - yes I always donate my old clothes when they no longer fit me

To Adereterial - I applied for and got the Crisis Loan while claiming (IB) £180 bi-weekly and used to get £40 (IS) as a top-up. I have been recieving £180 bi-weekly for the past 9 months but on my last pay day I got the £220 once again instead of the the usual £180 maybe an over payment.

I mainly need the Bugeting loan for new carpet can make do without the rest i suppose as my flat is a bedsit and it a very large room and requires a large custom size of carpet and also the new locks.

I did try my housing association for the new locks but was told that due to my rent arrears I'm on my own till I have cleared all £600.

All these figures are rounded the nearest pound BTW.

Thank you.

Adereterial

It's highly doubtful you'd get a budgeting loan for a carpet - they're for essential items and I can't see why a carpet would be essential in any circumstance, to be honest.

You may, however, apply for one for a cooker/clothing/new locks/bed etc, as these would be considered essentials.

As for the dentures, have you applied for help with health costs already? No payments can be made from the Social Fund to cover health costs at all as there's help for that elsewhere.