Bank Statements for housing benefit

plipsurt

I was asked to submit the last 2 months full bank statements for my housing benefits claim which I did. The housing benefits department have now highlighted 2 transactions (1 from each statement) which were transfers (£2.39 and £100) to other accounts not in my name which they now want 2 months full statements for. I explained already that the accounts are not mine. Can they really ask for these? Would the bank supply them this information if they asked the bank?

bobajob_1966

Have you explained what the payments were for, and who the accounts belong to?

plipsurt

yes and yes but why are they checking each entry anyway?

Benefits_Bod

Entries are checked to see if there are any undisclosed accounts and/or undisclosed sources of income.

Depending on all of the facts, the LA cannot necessarily insist on seeing bank statements of a 3rd party. BUT, if all is above board and the 3rd party is amenable, it would be easier to comply with the request than to resist. If you are not able to produce the documents (distinguished from not wanting to), the LA will have to make a judgment call as to whether anything is being hidden. In the absence of evidence contradicting your statement, the LA *should* accept what you say.

If the LA doesn't accept what you say, appeal on the grounds that you cannot provide documents that are not in your possession, nor otherwise available to you. There is case law / legal authority to support this position. If necessary, repost and if I see the post I'll expand further (subject to personal circumstances at the time).

AnxiousMum

They do check. They ask for the statements so that they can see that you have your income coming in, and regular payments for monthly items going out. If they spot transfers of money to other accounts, that could mean that you are saving £100 per month in another account, but haven't declared that account. That other account, if yours, could hold £20K in it, which would disqualify you from claiming means tested benefits. Unfortunately there are too many cheats out there, they have to do checks. And in reality, if somebody is relying on help from the state to live each month, they also have to be prepared to justify the eligibility for it.
Did they not find your explanation of the transfers to be suitable?

Marisco

Surely though they have no right to ask for someones bank statements, just because the claimant put money in it? I would be perfectly willing to write and say Joe Bloggs put £x in my account, but I'd be dammed if I'd let them see my statements!!! It would have sod all to do with the DWP!!!

bobajob_1966

Marisco wrote: »

Surely though they have no right to ask for someones bank statements, just because the claimant put money in it? I would be perfectly willing to write and say Joe Bloggs put £x in my account, but I'd be dammed if I'd let them see my statements!!! It would have sod all to do with the DWP!!!

They would normally only request formal proof of where the transfer has gone to where there is some other reason for doubt. The reasons for this are numerous, but it could be that something else on the claim does not add up, or there have been doubts on a previous claim. I guess the OP needs to ask why the information is not sufficient, especially as the transfers do not appear to be regular or for particularly large amounts.

Marisco

But would a letter from the person whose account it is, be sufficient? I should imagine quite a few people wouldn't be happy to submit statements to the DWP!! Could they force the person to show statements, and what would happen to the claim if they refused? Just being nosy:D

Pollycat

AnxiousMum wrote: »

That other account, if yours, could hold £20K in it, which would disqualify you from claiming means tested benefits.

plipsurt wrote: »

The housing benefits department have now highlighted 2 transactions (1 from each statement) which were transfers (£2.39 and £100) to other accounts not in my name which they now want 2 months full statements for. I explained already that the accounts are not mine. Can they really ask for these? Would the bank supply them this information if they asked the bank?

AnxiousMum
I do agree with what you say and can appreciate that there are unscrupulous people who will 'hide' money to obtain benefits fraudulently.

However, the OP says these accounts are not his and from his wording "other accounts" and "the accounts" it would indicate that they are 2 different accounts, both not his.

It strikes me as odd that they are querying a transaction for £2.39.

The OP says he's explained what the payments are for and who the accounts belong to - I wonder why the Council are checking this out.
I agree with bobajob that the OP should ask why the information already supplied isn't enough.

Pollycat

Marisco wrote: »

But would a letter from the person whose account it is, be sufficient? I should imagine quite a few people wouldn't be happy to submit statements to the DWP!! Could they force the person to show statements, and what would happen to the claim if they refused? Just being nosy:D

I agree, Marisco.

I sometimes buy things on my credit card for Mum (maybe a pair of shoes on-line or we'll buy a joint birthday present for someone) and she'll give me a cheque.

I'd be happy to show the Council proof by way of my credit card statement (with all other transactions blocked out) and to show them the transaction on my bank statement but there's no way on earth I'd agree to them having 2 months of my bank statements.

I'm interested in the answer to the question Marisco asks.

crazyguy

Sounds like an over zelous jobs worth to me trying to impress the boss at the Housing office, ooohh look at me boss I saved us paying out a claim for x amount a week, can I be put up for the monthly Brown Nose award,