Housing Benefit LHA - Please Help!

cathycathy

Hiya - Please can some-one help me. We have been getting Housing Benefit at the five bed rate since the end ofJune 2008.

Our claim was re-assessed on its anniversary date in June as I expected , the only change being an increase in rent by our Landlord of £30 pcm which under the new LHA rates and rules was ignored. We have several other letters after this confirming no change even after my sons 16th birthday.

I have now received a letter from them saying that we have been overpaid by £44.85 a week since the date of our anniversary according to the LHA rules and we now owe them £358.60 and they have reduced our benefit to the LHA amount less overpayment deductions. We were a couple of days behind anyway with our rent so now the Estate Agents will be sending out Arrears letters to our Landlord and Guarantor!

I thought that we had protection for at least nine months at the old rate. Nobody has left or joined our household - so I don't understand whats happening. And of course its a Saturday when you can't contact or do anything about it. My hubby has heart problems already and the way its going I'll be luckly if he (or me) survives the weekend.

Can anyway help me - Is what they've done right?

Thank You.

HappyMJ

cathycathy wrote: »

Hiya - Please can some-one help me. We have been getting Housing Benefit at the five bed rate since the end ofJune 2008.

Our claim was re-assessed on its anniversary date in June as I expected , the only change being an increase in rent by our Landlord of £30 pcm which under the new LHA rates and rules was ignored. We have several other letters after this confirming no change even after my sons 16th birthday.

I have now received a letter from them saying that we have been overpaid by £44.85 a week since the date of our anniversary according to the LHA rules and we now owe them £358.60 and they have reduced our benefit to the LHA amount less overpayment deductions. We were a couple of days behind anyway with our rent so now the Estate Agents will be sending out Arrears letters to our Landlord and Guarantor!

I thought that we had protection for at least nine months at the old rate. Nobody has left or joined our household - so I don't understand whats happening. And of course its a Saturday when you can't contact or do anything about it. My hubby has heart problems already and the way its going I'll be luckly if he (or me) survives the weekend.

Can anyway help me - Is what they've done right?

Thank You.

I don't think so so you'll need to go to the council and complain. As far am I am aware it is protected for 9 months following the anniversary of your claim after April 2011. So you should still be paid at the old rate for a while longer. It even says on the website that by December 2012 everyone will be on the new rates. If they refuse that (which I doubt) then claim a discretionary payment while you look for something cheaper and appeal the council's decision.