A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Popperwell

Such a lot of what is happening to PAH sounds like me at present...worried about the future financially and keeping a roof over my head, all what our PM plans to do with welfare and the stereotypical examples given, I've had problems with a neighbour over a tree which the CAB, landlord and a local councillor was not causing problems but he's gone on until he got his own way. I couldn't be bothered with the hassle.

Funnily, enough he started just before Mum took ill and I worried over the tree and then all seemed great. Then within weeks I had Mum to worry over. Given the choice I'd have had Mum back every time...and like you PAH Mum passed away on a Sunday and only a few weeks ago(22nd April)I think I'm doing ok but life will never be the same. I think my worst days always seem to be on a Sunday and I have come to the conclusion it's a subconscious thing because that was the day Mum passed away.

Like you, I digress...

Sorry, hugs from me too. ((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))

Byatt

PAH, honestly what a neighbour from hell, seriously a piece of work. A pity you husband didn't sort him out. Mine never did anything either so totally understand your tiredness and frustration. The more you do the more they expect and then complain! I was coughing so badly/ once when ill with bronchitis/asthma, and peeling potatoes for his tea, that I cracked a rib. Ex just lay on the sofa relaxing...

It's always worse when you have to do other people's jobs for them, govt people, and fight all the time. It's so exhausting and demoralising, I'm not surprised you are fed up. xxxx

grandma247

Pah (((hugs)))) You are not alone. Many of our generation and ones before had to look after younger siblings. I had to look after mine and I had a friend who also looked after hers. Her mother even had a bell and she had to come running if mummy dearest rang it. I think that is why so many of us got married so young, to get away.

It did mean we became better parents because we did not want our own children to live that way. (for anyone younger, i am not talking about a bit of baby sitting or just watching siblings but actually doing for them as if you were their mother, day in and day out)

Possession

Oh dear. Ever get the feeling the welfare system is at cracking point? Hugs to all of you going through these really difficult times. It might be different if you felt that you'd get a definitive answer talking to someone but unfortunately since every person appears to say something different it's impossible to have that confidence.

GreyQueen

Byatt wrote: »

Good heavens, someone from DWP who KNEW what they were talking about, it's unbelievable!!! They haven't got my letter, no surprise because I know from my HMRC days how often people detsroyed letters...but extremely frustrating. The first person I have spoken to from DWP, and I have spoken to a few, who knew the correct legislation...no problem whatsoever. Upshot is he has referred my case to the decision maker's section...ok, maybe I won't hold my breath, but...it's going to be complicated because I am currently paying back an overpayment, which isn't actually overpaid, but they haven't listened to me at all. So have been short over £100pm. But then there's the HB and CTB which has paid a bit extra, and I wonder if I can use their mistake for not having to pay it back? GQ, can you let me know please what the procedure is?

So annoying about the letter though...

Hi Hun, you can challenge any benefit decision the LA makes but you have to do it within one month of the date of the letter notifying you of the decision. If you have very good reasons for a late challenge (bereavement, dire medical problems etc) they may exercise discretion and accept a late challenge.

If your LA writes to you to say that you have been overpaid HB that will be on one letter and an overpayment of CTB will be on another letter. They will detail the periods it applies to. If you cannot make sense of it, you can ask for a Statement of Reasons (within one month) which can be requested orally. Or a Review or an Appeal (within one month but have to be requested in writing). The OP letter(s) will come with an enclosure about your rights. Ultimately, if you are dissatisfied with the processes, you can go higher.

I've seen the workings-out and on-system notes from the assessors when calculating OPs. They will usually say whether the OP resulted from Claimant error (failure to notify a change of circs, for example) or LA error (a previous assessor made a mistake). I've seen notes that have written-off OPs as the fault was with the LA and the Claimant couldn't reasonably have been expected to know that there had been an error. Trifling sums are invariably written off as unrecoverable (think under £10 or so) as it's uneconomic to chase. They'll refer to the Regs and cite chapter and verse for the decision they have reached.

HBOPs are recovered from ongoing entitlement if you're still getting HB from the same council. If you've moved areas, or are not longer on benefit, they'll invoice you. DON'T PANIC if you get an invoice you cannot pay. The invoice letter should be accompanied by a Statement of Means form. If it isn't, contact them to request one or see if you can download it off their website. This is for you to offer term repayment. It has to be reasonable (they won't accept a tenner a month if you take home £1,500) but they're pretty flexible. They'll confirm an agreement in writing and as long as you keep to terms, all will be well, even if it takes years to pay it off.

If you ignore them, they'll take you to court and you'll have court fee and solicitor's fee (together just over £100) plus they can start adding interest. If it's above £1k my council moves pretty sharpish to court action, if the person doesn't come to an arrangement.

The situation with CTB OPs is a bit more complicated. When you're awarded CTB, the council credits your CT account with the money for the whole financial year as if you're going to be getting it at the same rate, and calculates a bill based on that rate of award. Hence some people will owe nothing and get a bill saying 0.00. If you end your claim, or have an CTB OP, they'll claw it back from the account and you'll be rebilled at the higher rate. That's about all I know about the council tax side but always always communicate with your LA as if you don't, things go down their legislalitive track and get rather serious. Get receipts, keep correspondence, note down day/time/name.

Phew, hope that helps. I'm being par-broiled in my own juices tonight as it is so very humid.

I went to the gym and did a 30 minute workout, 15 cardio and 15 other stuff. OMG, those ab crunchers...........! Expect I shall know all about it tomorrow. Will not make long term plans to be a gym bunny, will just pootle about and do my best.


(((((((((PAH))))))))))))))))

Laters, GQ x

Byatt

Thanks GQ, I am getting more HB/CTB because I am being paid less on another benefit, but as they should be paying the full benefit, the HB/CTB is too much (I think) and they will say I have been overpaid if they agree they have been underpaying me on the other benefit. I'm confused. Brain can't deal with figures anymore. I'm not expecting you to answer this, just putting it down, to see if it makes sense...so, best case scenario, I will be refunded back benefit, but then HB/CTB will want repaying overpayment their end. My argument would be that I have been telling them this for some time but have been continually told (verbally, so no proof) I was wrong. Phew.

LavenderBees

Byatt wrote: »

Thanks GQ, I am getting more HB/CTB because I am being paid less on another benefit, but as they should be paying the full benefit, the HB/CTB is too much (I think) and they will say I have been overpaid if they agree they have been underpaying me on the other benefit. I'm confused. Brain can't deal with figures anymore. I'm not expecting you to answer this, just putting it down, to see if it makes sense...so, best case scenario, I will be refunded back benefit, but then HB/CTB will want repaying overpayment their end. My argument would be that I have been telling them this for some time but have been continually told (verbally, so no proof) I was wrong. Phew.

Should I be worried that I think I understand this? :rotfl:

Good luck, Chuck!

LB xx

Byatt

LavenderBees wrote: »

Should I be worried that I think I understand this? :rotfl:

Good luck, Chuck!

LB xx

:rotfl::rotfl::p

GreyQueen

Byatt wrote: »

Thanks GQ, I am getting more HB/CTB because I am being paid less on another benefit, but as they should be paying the full benefit, the HB/CTB is too much (I think) and they will say I have been overpaid if they agree they have been underpaying me on the other benefit. I'm confused. Brain can't deal with figures anymore. I'm not expecting you to answer this, just putting it down, to see if it makes sense...so, best case scenario, I will be refunded back benefit, but then HB/CTB will want repaying overpayment their end. My argument would be that I have been telling them this for some time but have been continually told (verbally, so no proof) I was wrong. Phew.

Hun, depending on what benefit you were getting, it may make no difference to your HB/CTB at all. If your DWP benefit is one of the passporting ones (income support or income JSA are the passporters for working age peeps) it shouldn't make any difference.

I appreciate that you mightn't want to put your affairs out on the thread but just wanted to say in case you were worrying yourself over nothing.

smileyt_2

Hugs to PAH and Popperwell. And Byatt.

My weedkiller spree on the allotment on Monday has had absolutely no effect on any of the weeds. I have no idea what I did wrong. I diluted as per instructions and am sure I used it correctly. I have Superweeds :eek:!

GQ best of luck for the morning - after 15 minutes of ab crunching you will probably need a real live nursey to get you out of bed!!