I'm up s**t creek without a paddle, could anyone be so kind as to give me guidance?

its.me.hehe

Hello,

Thankyou for taking the time to read this.

I had been claiming Jobseekers, but ended my claim to start my own business. I am currently making no money from this, and living on a small amount of savings.

Housing Benefit kindly said they'd continue to pay their benefit as a 'run on'.

I live as part of a 'property guardian scheme', which is a fancy name for long term house sitting. My licence agreement (as it is called), states that I have a "Licence to occupy Maryfield [remainder of address]", for £220/month, until further notice. It makes no mention of a flat number. When I first opened my claim, Housing Benefit took this agreement as proof of residence, without query. I also verbally gave them a flat number.

All was fine until two weeks ago, when I told them in passing that they had entirely mispelt my address. I also told them (in passing), that I'd moved upstairs into a different flat, because the boiler downstairs was broken. (Ice cold showers!) This time, they did require written proof of flat number, so I sent it them.

They responded with two letters today. One states they are stopping the benefit dead, and the other bills me for over a thousand pounds "overpayment". The overpayment is where I moved upstairs.

Since the licence agreement I first provided to them has no flat number on it, going upstairs seemed inconsequential - of no real interest to them. As per the agreement, I always did, and still do live in "Maryfield". The agreement also tells them that all Maryfield flats are charged at £220/month, so it's not as if they have been paying me more than they would have otherwise agree to.

I know this was a basic oversight on my part, but it was only that. I am truly stuck - my savings would not even cover a third of this bill.

Thanks so much for reading all this!

And...any ideas?

Richard

missapril75

Technically it's a change of address. In theory there could be a change in rent or some other material difference such as an amenity included, or a joint tenant meaning your share of rent could be lower.

But in raising an overpayment they are saying you shouldn't have received HB to begin with or at least for part of the period.

Could it be that you moved about 10 months ago and they are effectively saying you lost entitlement as there's no valid claim at the time you moved?

If so, making a new HB claim for the "new address" is a good idea, as silly as that sounds. Ask for backdating or treating it as continuous from the date the 'overpayment' begins. Slip in a comment to the effect that it was a simple mistake on your part, that we all make mistakes, making reference to the address error - without making it sound like you are being critical.

And highlight the fact that your rent remained the same and that JSA continued so it's really just a technicality.

If they agree to backdate or even make it easier on themselves and you by treating it as continuous, then it would go back as it was.

its.me.hehe

MissApril75,

Thankyou for your reply ...there are so many queries and troubles on this forum, I didn't think anyone would find the time to address mine!

I have done a little maths, and the council's bill represents just over four and a half months rent or 'licence fee', as they like to call it. That correspondends with what I told them regards the 'moving date'.

Though less than ten months, I see no reason I can't still make a fresh application for my new flat, and request it be backdated.

Thankyou for this suggestion...I hadn't thought of that myself.

I will post them a letter... at the counter, points can get lost in the conversation, and you are at the mercy of the customer service persons diligence, or lack thereof!

missapril75

My ten months just came from an approximation. As it happens I misread the O/P figure as £2000 and I just thought 10 x £200.

But it's even better for you if it's a shorter period.

When you mentioned this "in passing" I really would have expected someone to have applied a bit of common sense and foreseen the consequences of not sorting it. Probably they were inexperienced though.:(

Good luck

chocdonuty

My council do this, basically they completely stop the claim until they get the proof they need, it gets sorted eventually but they like to panic you in the meantime! Give them a call and see if this is standard procedure for you. I'm sure my council make things difficult for the fun of it because often there seems no logic in the way they work!

its.me.hehe

MissApril - ahh ok. Yes it's 4 and a half months, so yes, like you said should make things easier.

Perhaps I should address my letter to in response to theirs, to the cust. serv. manager. I need someone that understands their system.

Chocdonuty - yes. I am quite a relaxed person, and not much seems to bother me, but I must say this did. And I'm sure if this was sent to someone already on the edge...they'd have a breakdown! I think this probably is just standard procedure though.

I'll post on here in a couple of weeks the outcome.

Cheers guys.

missapril75

its.me.hehe wrote: »

Perhaps I should address my letter to in response to theirs, to the cust. serv. manager. I need someone that understands their system.

Don't be fooled into thinking that job title means someone who knows the system.

They might do. Or they might be in the job for their ability to deal with people rather than any expertise.