[Help] Council Tax + Housing Benefit

Jordxn

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Here is what I think has happened.

1) They carried out a periodic check on your details and discovered you were no longer receiving JSA/ESA etc.

2) They asked what you financial circumstances were - you were working - they have taken the appropriate non dependant deduction for someone who earns £890 per month - hence overpayment.

3) You claim to have vacated and be living with a friend. But you have failed to provide any proof of this. They don't believe you have vacated.

That is exactly it, it's completely unfair! I moved as soon as I got my job as I didn't want to travel 30 miles per day to get to it. I paid my friend £50 a week to rent a room - he doesn't receive any benefits, he pays his council tax and he pays his mortgage. I just don't feel my Mum should be punished for that as she has been receiving housing benefit for years and she didn't know to update them about the change. My mother doesn't even know how to use a mobile for god sake, most simply minded person ever. It's unfair on her if anything.

princessdon

Jordxn wrote: »

Thank you for replying, she's receiving job seekers allowance, not income support - sorry!

Yes, I understand and appreciate that she should pay some council tax/rent, but charging her £100 a month for council tax and £80 a week for rent does not make sense. It's clearly wrong, but they don't seem to think so.

They do, be because you live there, they are not psychic that you moved out. Provide proof you did and when then they should adjust at that point. However, she is liable to inform them of changes and did not do so. If you can't provide proof you moved out (ie change of doctor, employer records, bills, electoral role) then they may assume you still live there.

jacques_chirac

Jordxn wrote: »

That is exactly it, it's completely unfair! I moved as soon as I got my job as I didn't want to travel 30 miles per day to get to it. I paid my friend £50 a week to rent a room - he doesn't receive any benefits, he pays his council tax and he pays his mortgage. I just don't feel my Mum should be punished for that as she has been receiving housing benefit for years and she didn't know to update them about the change. My mother doesn't even know how to use a mobile for god sake, most simply minded person ever. It's unfair on her if anything.

All paperwork she received would have reminded her that she is obliged to notify them of any change in circumstance.

Do you have any proof of when you moved?

Is there no prospect of her getting a job? That would solve the problem in the longer term.

Jordxn

princessdon wrote: »

They do, be because you live there, they are not psychic that you moved out. Provide proof you did and when then they should adjust at that point. However, she is liable to inform them of changes and did not do so.

Yes, in an ideal world where everyone is perfect and remembers everything- My Mum is different and you do not understand or know her problems, so I'll just simply let you know that she didn't know to update them, she must of forgot these terms and conditions she agreed to 19 years ago, which is understandable. I won't remember a lot of stuff in 19 years time.

Also, I lived there, I no longer live there. It's unfair for them to request the full amount of overpayment. They ask me for proof like I'm lying, yet I'd love to see there proof that I did live there. There wouldn't be any.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Jordxn wrote: »

I paid my friend £50 a week to rent a room - he doesn't receive any benefits, he pays his council tax and he pays his mortgage.

Of course your friend got written permission to rent a room in his house from his Mortgage Company and he will be able to provide you with that written evidence to show Tendering District Council.

Jordxn

jacques_chirac wrote: »

All paperwork she received would have reminded her that she is obliged to notify them of any change in circumstance.

Do you have any proof of when you moved?

Is there no prospect of her getting a job? That would solve the problem in the longer term.

My mother has suffered with depression and mental illness for a long time now, she may seem normal on the outside, but life with her can be very difficult. I'm no Doctor, but my mother simply isn't "normal" or fit for work. I would love to see her get a job, but this is a lady who doesn't know how to use a computer or mobile phone. She would only be good for cooking, caring and cleaning - she has tried to get a job within all 3 of those categories, none of them have been successful.

I don't have proof of when I moved, but I could ask my friend to write a letter, would that not suffice?

Dunroamin

Jordxn wrote: »

Yes, in an ideal world where everyone is perfect and remembers everything- My Mum is different and you do not understand or know her problems, so I'll just simply let you know that she didn't know to update them, she must of forgot these terms and conditions she agreed to 19 years ago, which is understandable. I won't remember a lot of stuff in 19 years time.

Also, I lived there, I no longer live there. It's unfair for them to request the full amount of overpayment. They ask me for proof like I'm lying, yet I'd love to see there proof that I did live there. There wouldn't be any.

She's been on IS/JSA for 19 years?:eek:

Jordxn

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Of course your friend got written permission to rent a room in his house from his Mortgage Company and he will be able to provide you with that written evidence to show Tendering District Council.

I only stayed at his house, I'm not sure if he notified the mortgage company. I just paid him £200 a month for the 4 weeks. There was no official agreement between me and him.

jacques_chirac

Jordxn wrote: »

My mother has suffered with depression and mental illness for a long time now, she may seem normal on the outside, but life with her can be very difficult. I'm no Doctor, but my mother simply isn't "normal" or fit for work. I would love to see her get a job, but this is a lady who doesn't know how to use a computer or mobile phone. She would only be good for cooking, caring and cleaning - she has tried to get a job within all 3 of those categories, none of them have been successful.

I don't have proof of when I moved, but I could ask my friend to write a letter, would that not suffice?

Then why is she claiming JSA?

I can't believe she has not had any paperwork from the council in nineteen years, or that she has not updated them of a change in circumstance in that time.

Given the reactive nature of you providing the paperwork, I doubt a letter would suffice. Where are you registered as living with your bank/ doctor etc?

Jordxn

Dunroamin wrote: »

She's been on IS/JSA for 19 years?:eek:

Yes, crazy right? She's not !!!!!!, she's just not the average "normal" person like you and I may be.