Please help - they cancelled my IS two weeks ago without me knowing. How will this af

lowla

I phoned the Income support helpline last week to notify them of a change of circumstances. I've registered self-employed, so no longer entitled to IS.

The woman said that since i'm working over 16 hours a week and in receipt of WTC, i'd be entitled to the following:

Four weeks run on of my current housing and council tax benefit
Back to work grant
In work credit

Yesterday, i received a letter in the post from DWP. It said i had failed to respond to their request for more information regarding my IS claim (apparantly they sent me a form last month!) and therefore my IS has been stopped as of 28th August.

I didn't receive a form in the post. And now i'm terrified what this means.

I'm only entitled to the above 3 things if i've been on IS for over 6 months with no break and gone straight into work. Them stopping my IS on the 28th will obviously count as a break so what does this mean?

Why are they allowed to just cancel my IS like that? They didn't even send a follow up letter or phone or anything. Just cut it right off. I'm going to phone tomorrow to sort this out but i'm in tears right now with worry.

I am relying on the rent run on and grant etc in order to get myself on my feet until my business takes off (registered as self employed cleaner). I don't even have a customer yet! Without the grant etc i'll need to go back onto IS.


Just to add - when i phoned to notify the woman last week that i'm now working, she didn't mention about my IS being cut two weeks ago.

lowla

Anyone? Please?

benefitbaby

You need to challenge the decision letter you received ending your entitlement. I would suggest appealing and detailing the issue just have you have done here. You may want to talk to your MP given how important the run-on of benefits are to your new s/employment.

Questions: How many hours are you actually working now and on what basis were you receiving income support (lone parent, disability, carer etc)?

lowla

Thanks for replying. On the letter i'm sure it said something like 'no appeals will be accepted for this decision.' I can't locate the letter just now though.

I was receiving IS as a lone parent. I have a severely disabled child so was unable to work.

This business is really the only way i can get off benefits just now. And without the grant etc, it just won't be possible.

I'm currently working 20 hours a week, setting up my website and leafleting, sorting out accounts/books etc. I notified tax credits as soon as i phoned to cancel my IS, and they said they'd put me onto WTC because i'm working over 16 hours.

I just can't believe they'd cancel my IS so suddenly. I didn't receive such a form so i'm assuming it got lost in the post. But why not send a reminder or phone me?

benefitbaby

lowla wrote: »

Thanks for replying. On the letter i'm sure it said something like 'no appeals will be accepted for this decision.' I can't locate the letter just now though.

I was receiving IS as a lone parent. I have a severely disabled child so was unable to work.

This business is really the only way i can get off benefits just now. And without the grant etc, it just won't be possible.

I'm currently working 20 hours a week, setting up my website and leafleting, sorting out accounts/books etc. I notified tax credits as soon as i phoned to cancel my IS, and they said they'd put me onto WTC because i'm working over 16 hours.

I just can't believe they'd cancel my IS so suddenly. I didn't receive such a form so i'm assuming it got lost in the post. But why not send a reminder or phone me?

You need to speak to your MP and an advice agency - take the letter with you. You may also want to send a written complaint to DWP as there is nothing you could have done differently.

lowla

I can't believe this. The woman on the phone last week told me i would get my grant and a final payment of IS within a week. I was counting on it to buy in my cleaning materials/equipment for my business. Now if i have to go and appeal, it's going to take ages. I'll definitely be sending a letter of complaint too. Thanks very much for your advice. I'll call them tomorrow and try and get more information on why i can't appeal etc.

benefitbaby

And do speak to your MP they really can help (and very quickly too). Good Luck and don't give up just yet

lowla

Thank you. I'm really sorry if i've wasted your time but I've found the letter and think i may have misunderstood. Here's what it says:

Dear Miss X

I am writing to tell you that we cannot pay you from 24th August.

We have decided to stop paying Income Support.

Failed to reply to requests for information.

Review form A2 not returned.

Please reply to this letter within one calender month of the date on this letter. If you fail to do so, we may cancel your entitlement to benefit. Please tell us straight away if you cannot give us the information we require.

When you send your reply, you can use the envelope provided. It does not need a stamp.

If your benefits change, it may affect the amount of benefit you get. Please tell us about any changes in your circumstances.

You cannot appeal against the decision. However, if the decision causes you hardship, please let us know.

If you want more information, please get in touch with us.

So i'm not sure if i'm still (or was up until last week before i phoned to inform them i'm Self employed) considered in receipt of IS or not?

benefitbaby

Whoopee you were still entitled to IS up to the point you notified them of starting S/E...
but you must contact them before that one month period ends (1 month from date on letter). You should explain you did not receive the A2 form and ask them to either send out another or confirm the details they need over the phone.

If this is all done to their satisfaction then you should get your HB run-on and return to work credit

lowla

Great! Thank you so much! I'll call them tomorrow for a form

benefitbaby

You can sleep a little better tonight, good luck for tomorrow and for your future business x