I'm in such a mess - Proof of unemployment?

otexex

I didn't know where to post this, but I'm in a total mess right now with no money and possible loss of money. I really need help so that I don't end up homeless.

I graduated from uni last year. My father died, I had a breakup and my degree was marked lower than expected. I suffered depression all through uni and was sent to the uni councillor many times because of it.

I got very depressed at the end of last year, while I had my degree I just couldn't get a job. I went for one interview and applied to a few more but eventually I took a few months away from it.

The whole time I was living with my mother who is also low income and on pension in a rented house. I lived on my overdraft which is now almost used up (limit is £1500). I became so depressed that I could not even function properly, I couldn't eat, I had no energy, I could stay in bed all day but not out of laziness, but because I could not see a reason to live. My mother allowed me to live with her rent-free, even though the government has helped toward the rent (housing benefit? I'm not sure)

I finally decided to see a doctor 3 months ago. I am on medication, however it is a slow recovery.

The thing is, I'm still not getting money from anywhere. I did not claim to the dole (I could not even leave the house further than down the road to the doctor's office), and I did not know about sickness benefits.

We got a letter in the post last week from housing benefits saying that they will stop any help for me, and charge me the backmoney from May last year for rent because they think I'm working...! They are now asking me for proof that I was unemployed the whole time.

How do I do this?! I know I was unemployed, but I wasn't getting sickness benefits or dole money, I was just living on my overdraft. How can I show proof I have not had any income? will bank statements be enough? Tax office? How do I explain my unusual situation?

Not everything is black and white, and for months I've been through hell just trying to get better so that I can get a job. But now this is really worrying me, I've been in a mess all day and I'm terrified of just breaking down. Thanks for reading.

[Deleted User]

perhaps have a word with CAB tbh i`m not sure how you prove you werent working,have you spoke to the council and explained?
moving forward you need to see your gp and get signed off as unfit for any work and then claim esa

Elvisia

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I suspect you've just been sent an automated letter because it's come up on their system somewhere that you got housing benefit but no other benefit, and it probably wondered why. I would ring up the CAB - you just ring the main number then someone locally calls you back - it's very easy and they're very nice. I would have thought just sending them bank statements would show you didn't have regular money coming in, and that you lived on your overdraft. I would also have thought it's up to them to prove you did work, what are you supposed to do - get every single person in the UK to declare you didn't work for them?! Talk to the CAB who will probably advise you to go and see them, and they can make a phone call for you. Lots of luck, and although it's easy to say, don't panic because it will be sorted out.

otexex

Thank you both so much, I've had so may cruel replies on other forums calling me all sorts that I'd started to lose faith in these places. I'm going to ring CAB in the morning and then go see them in the afternoon with all my bank statements (and my mother, it doesn't matter if I bring someone along does it? I shouldn't think so, but I can't face going into town myself at this moment), it also shows i'm only about £6 away from my limit so I have been using that, plus there is £0 coming in.

Thanks again

Parva

You can take anyone you want with you yes. As said earlier, it will be an automated letter that's been sent out and I'm sure that once they see your bank statement and your circumstances they will understand what has happened and stop any further action. I really wouldn't let it worry you.

By the way, don't forget to click the 'Thanks' button for the previous posters if you feel they have helped you.

SandraScarlett

I can't add anything to help, but I agree with the suggestions to contact CAB. Also, I suspect your letter was automated, and if you have seen your GP, as well as the people who helped you at Uni, then you have referees as to your illness. Also, your bank statements will clearly show there has been much going out, and nothing going in.

Bereavement affects everyone concerned, some worse than others, and I sincerely hope you receive a compassionate response.

I wish you well.

xx

aggypanthus

I just wanted to show some support, hope you get it sorted soon, and of course take your mother, its nice that she can help you.

Let us know how you get on. you remind me of myself in my young days when stuff was scary and depression was always chasing me, good luck.

BigAunty

Don't take it personally, though it will feel personal to you.

The context is that local authorities struggle to collect the modest rebates that come with non-dependent deductions relating to HB. What we are talking about is the modest approx 7-15% the employed occupant is expected to contribute towards their keep to the tenant dependent on state benefits who will have their HB reduced (sliding scale on whether their non-dependent earns £122 to not less than nearly £400 gross per week).

Some households receiving means tested benefits try to conceal the income of other occupants, or aren't organised enough to report changes in their circumstances (such as when people move in or students graduate), hence why many councils have a policy of suspending payment until clarification is provided.

I imagine councils experience tremendous resistance to people reporting their changes. On this forum, we get frequent posts from HB claimants wondering how to make up the shortfall in their reduced housing benefit because of non-dependents and are stunned at the suggestion that they take keep from their children - they'd rather the state pay their full HB rather than their kid hand over a few quid from their earnings.

I haven't come across the scenario that you describe though, whereby you have no employment or benefit income and have been asked to provide evidence, but I suspect it will be easier to prove and explain then you think.

You are paying the price of the routine fraud and errors that take place, going through what is probably a regular compliance check, so try to see it in context.

Best wishes in your sorting it out.

iluvmarmite

Not really sure of the answers, but what about taking a bank statement? It will show no wages or any other money has been paid into your account, it will also show you are very overdrawn, I understand people can get paid cash in hand but at least its one bit of proof.

But if they thought you were commiting fraud they would just investigate the same way the DWP would, if they decided to do that they would see you dont leave the house to go to work, I dont think you have too much to worry about although when my sisters son was living at home and they were on HB they did stop £8 a week from the benefit as they said it was up to her son to pay that, so maybe they will ask you for that.

rogerblack

In addition, it seems possible to claim ESA backdated.
If you can supply a backdated sicknote for the 3 month period, then you can get a backdated payment of ESA for this period.
Hopefully you will be better before the 13th week of the claim.

otexex

Thank you all for you feedback.

We went to see the CAB today and although they saw my bank statements as proof, they said that the the housing benefit will only pay the money for me when I am claiming ESA. I have the forms to apply to ESA however I am worried sick that the housing benefit people will claim the back-money from May from my current landlord while I'm waiting to hear back from ESA (they pay it straight to my landlord to help make up the rent, because of low-income).

If that happens, I'm going to owe the landlord up to £400 and I'm worried to death he will not put up with it and give us notice for the house and we will have to move.

I honestly can not deal with all of that (moving house) right now, I'm not sleeping, I'm crying every hour, I'm a nervous wreck through all of this. I was trying to get better so that I could get to the point where I can actually work and earn money, but every day I'm just going back 5 steps and getting worse and worse because of this. I'm worried sick about my mother as well, she isn't in the best of health and this isn't helping her at all.

It was an honest mistake, I had no idea about sickness benefits back then and I couldn't sign on because they needed me to go down to see them, which I couldn't do back then because I could hardly leave the house, not to mention look for work. I feel like I'm completely on my own because they aren't even trying to understand.