[Help] Council Tax + Housing Benefit

Dunroamin

Jordxn wrote: »

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to do this - you and many other people have suggested the exact same thing. I don't have a problem with paying it, If it's what we owe to them, but I just wanted to make sure it was right and fair. I can't afford to pay this amount all at once of course, but I'll need to make arrangements with them to pay it back. I will go to CAB with my mother and we'll put the cards on the table and sort everything out...the longer it's left, the worse it will get. I will also need to speak with my Mum's doctor with regards to her health as I don't feel she should be forced to work...she has tried her hardest and even after 19 years, she still doesn't have a job. She is forever calling employers and going to interviews, but all I ever hear from her is "I didn't get the job this time" - it makes me sad that my mother has to live like this, it makes me sad that she is just another person who doesn't feel like she can live freely. It's sad that she trys with no success.

I don't think they will settle for the little proof I have, although I've been told that I can be considered a lodger if I'm paying the person less than £4000 a year for rent, and it shouldn't affect any of there benefits or discounts...but my friend and his girlfriend have a joint mortgage I believe and I don't think they receive any council tax reductions anyway. I've been told that I can get him to fill out a rent book for all the weeks as that could help the situation (hopefully)

What benefits are they claiming?

Jordxn

Dunroamin wrote: »

What benefits are they claiming?

I don't think they are claiming any, but I was told I could be considered a lodger if I'm paying less than £4,000 a year for rent and that shouldn't affect the person I'm renting from (whether than be tax or benefits, I don't know).

Confuseddot

Well done in trying to sort if out, a lot of useful information in the thread. Defo a visit to the cab with all paperwork would be first port of call they may be able to advise best course of action.

Like princessdon said I would gather up any evidence of anything that has been delivered to your new address from ebay etc and a letter from your friends you are staying at possibly their neighbours ? Is it the same bus driver you get most days ? where do you shop for food use atm etc ?

Just so I understand if you can prove that you no longer lived with your Mum then no overpayments would have been made and nothing would need to be paid back ?

Good luck

Caz3121

Confuseddot wrote: »

Just so I understand if you can prove that you no longer lived with your Mum then no overpayments would have been made and nothing would need to be paid back ?

From April this year there would have been a reduction in housing benefit of 14% due to there being a spare bedroom
Each council will also have its own required % of council tax to be paid
so there would still be an overpayment but it would be lower...

Jobseeeker

jacques_chirac wrote: »

The OP does not state he is 19 - his sister is. Or maybe you read that his mother has been claiming benefits for 19 years?

he says "I'm only 19 years old, I'm new to all of this myself, which is why I have come to this site for help"

I presume they are twins

CKhalvashi

Caz3121 wrote: »

From April this year there would have been a reduction in housing benefit of 14% due to there being a spare bedroom
Each council will also have its own required % of council tax to be paid
so there would still be an overpayment but it would be lower...

As much as OP won't like this (although he does seem a reasonable chap from what I've read), for anyone young moving away from home, they need to ensure that what they do, matches up with what's happening.

In my situation, my car, employers details, HMRC records, DWP (if necessary) records, anything relating to banking/credit etc etc etc should match up.

Unfortunately, it's been pulled, and also unfortunately (for OP) it's difficult to prove that it's been correctly pulled, even when OP's mother could have been better off in the circumstances posted.

CK