I have been denied Housing Benefit backpay.

TrixieB

I was ill and could barely move for a month and I didn't get mine backdated. Also another wondering why your amount is so high considering your income?

Fiver29

Tory70 wrote: »

And a third also wondering the same. When I had three adults to keep and an income only slightly higher I was entitled to nothing.

I've just been onto entitledto and put in my LHA rate, and it came up with a zero entitlement for 2 adults and a child.

Wee_Willy_Harris

It will vary according to the prevailing LHA rate in that area. The higher the LHA rate, the higher the earnings before LHA isn't applicable.

fluffymovie

Op, the rules are the rules I'm afraid and from your posts here, I can feel the anger.

However, saying that if you'd claimed in June, you'd have been paid is not considered good cause. Your case will now be passed to another officer for reconsideration. If it remains unchanged, it will be sent to the appeals service and hearings are taking over 48 weeks

cit_k

Not that it would help a typical claimaint, but if anyone had the resources they could look into the feasability of a judicial review on the subject, to force them to explain disparities, such as why for example, ESA can be backdated without question (as long as eligiblity for the period can be proven) for up to three months, but it cannot be for another benefit, without a good reason.

It could be argued, if its acceptable and considered legally ok for one benefit, the same rule should apply to others.

adamantine

you only get it backdated to the date you applied for it. you have no grounds to appeal as others have said "ignorance is not an excuse".

samwich1979

It is not ignorance at all, i wasnt told when i asked the council if i could get any help from them in May this year as we had no money and couldnt afford to eat.
I was told tax credits etc but HB was not mentioned and i presumed it was because my wages were too high.
I do have grounds to appeal! I went to the council today and they looked through my letter and supporting evidence and agreed to put it through for me no problem, even said if they fail to give me back pay this time to come back and they can go through what the options are next for a further appeal.

I am not going to give up on something i believe i should be entitled to have and would have got had i known i could have claimed earlier, im up to my eyes in debt for gods sake do you really think id not claim for money?!

You get told so many times by Councils and other organisations that because you dare to work you can have no help when you really need it, well im sorry i'm not going to let myself, my husband and my son suffer without money for food because im "ignorant" and dont have "good reason" to claim back pay.

samwich1979

fluffymovie wrote: »

Op, the rules are the rules I'm afraid and from your posts here, I can feel the anger.

However, saying that if you'd claimed in June, you'd have been paid is not considered good cause. Your case will now be passed to another officer for reconsideration. If it remains unchanged, it will be sent to the appeals service and hearings are taking over 48 weeks

Yes i am rather angry actually as this is the only benefit, apart from child benefit, that i have ever claimed for in my life.

Ive worked and contributed to this country since the age of 16!

You and others may see this as nothing but i dont!

dookar

samwich1979 wrote: »

It is not ignorance at all, i wasnt told when i asked the council if i could get any help from them in May this year as we had no money and couldnt afford to eat.

Can you expand on this? If you asked then it should be allowed

samwich1979

dookar wrote: »

Can you expand on this? If you asked then it should be allowed

Like i said i asked about any money we would be entitled to and at the time we were told Tax Credits but HB was not mentioned to us.
I did say this in my letter to HB Officer and have said it again this time but obviously it doesnt matter to them.