housing benefit officer home visit

kanari

Hi,

need your help on this plz

my auntie has made a new HB claim the problem is when she called the HB to ask about the progress of her claim she found out that about a month ago an officer has made two visits to her flat but she wasnt there and unfortunatly she didnt see the messages he left for her !!! and was told to call him and get an appointement
is that will affect her claim ?
and for the visit which documents you think she need to show him or will be asked to show ?

thank you

Chrissiew

Its common for a HB officer to make a home visit, they always leave a card or letter through the letter box if they arrive and no one is home, usualy it asks for you to make a convienient appointment when he can call again.

The only way it will affect her claim (if everything is in order) is the delay it will cause, she will be asked to show bank statements, 3 months worth I believe, tenancy agreement to show proof of the amount of rent she pays, wage slips if she works, or proof of any benefits she gets if she doesnt work.

nonnatus

As Chrissie says, missing the HB officer won't slow her claim, it's just providing the figures they require as quickly as possible.
It's odd to me that the HB man just turned up, every time I've had a visit, I've been phoned in advance and an appointment made that suits us both. That way, I'm ready when they appear, with all the relevant paperwork to hand. Otherwise it's an expensive waste of everybody's time eh??

paddedjohn

nonnatus wrote: »

As Chrissie says, missing the HB officer won't slow her claim, it's just providing the figures they require as quickly as possible.
It's odd to me that the HB man just turned up, every time I've had a visit, I've been phoned in advance and an appointment made that suits us both. That way, I'm ready when they appear, with all the relevant paperwork to hand. Otherwise it's an expensive waste of everybody's time eh??

I'd much rather that they would make visits without giving notice, maybe this way they would catch more fraudulent claimants.