[Help] Council Tax + Housing Benefit

jacques_chirac

Jordxn wrote: »

Thank you for your reply, sorry if It appears that I'm angry - it's just very stressful to hear that they expect my Mum to pay this amount of money. She tries her bloody hardest to get a job, she never has a holiday, she never has any money, she doesn't go on luxury days out to get away from it all. She has nothing, yet they expect her to pay so much money.

I have looked at Housing Benefit Officer's post and it's the perfect explanation to my problem, but I haven't changed anything.

I haven't changed my address for anything. I don't vote on the electoral roll or changed the address. I haven't changed my doctor. I haven't changed the address of where my bills go to. I haven't paid my friend by bank transfer, I just give him cash every month. My friend hasn't notified his mortgage company and my friend doesn't receive a council tax discount. I register everything to my mum's address as I go there once a week to pick my letters up and see her. It's only until I looked at her council letters that I knew she is having a problem with them. She doesn't know what to do or where she stands, she doesn't read all the mumbo jumbo terms and conditions, because this isn't what my Mum is capable of doing. I will seek help from her doctor and whoever else, but what can I do? should I just pay the amount? or what? should I move back home and just pay the rent? They want £90 a week as far I know.

I would expect you to pay a good proportion of what she owes. You know she is unable to manage her affairs yet until this happened you did nothing to check everything was ok.

Jordxn

pineapple123 wrote: »

If you have no way of getting any evidence that you live somewhere else then I think there is very little you can do to get this overpayment squashed.
It is unfortunate for your mother and yourself that no one informed anyone of your change of address.

I think your mother will have to pay up but because she is on benefits she would be paying only what she could afford back each week however she will find money tight as it is both your fault (hindsight if only) then you should also shoulder some of the repayment as well.

We live and learn and this is an expensive lesson however well done for getting a job in the first place.

Yeah, I've really !!!!ed up for the both of us, I should of looked into this before moving and starting my employment. I'm only young so there's one life lesson to be aware of. It's such a substantial amount, so of course I'll foot for the bill too...but it has caused my Mum a lot of stress, stress that she already goes through suffering from depression...so she doesn't need all these harsh letters from the council.

I don't get why so many people think that just because you claim JSA you don't want to work. It's simply not the case and if most of the people here lost their job tomorrow, they would want to claim JSA until they find a new one. I work hard and I pay over £200 a month for tax on my income, so don't start preaching to me because my Mum hasn't been able to get a job...she has tried her best and that's all she can do. I hate the snobby people on their high horse trying to act like they are something high and mighty because they can afford to pay all the bills, good for you, but just remember, not everyone is in the same boat as you.

princessdon

Whether you are living elsewhere or not, you don't appear to be able to prove it, do its pay up time.

You can try a letter from a friend - but doubt they will accept that without proof, all proof is that you live with your mother.

They should agree to a more realistic amount to pay back weekly though.

If she has as many problems as you say, then it's doubtful they will try to prosecute her for fraud, so that is one weight lifted, but I can't see any evidence you moved out, so the figures owed will stay.

Jordxn

jacques_chirac wrote: »

I would expect you to pay a good proportion of what she owes. You know she is unable to manage her affairs yet until this happened you did nothing to check everything was ok.

I can't do anything If I don't know about it. I talk to my Mum all the time, she never told me about any of this, but it has only come to light within the past few months. I purchased half of the furniture and electrials for my Mum's household, please don't talk to me like I've done nothing for my Mum. She can only afford to pay the bills (gas, water, electric) and get food. I just said I will foot for the bill so I don't know why you are making such a rude and demeaning reply to me.

Jordxn

princessdon wrote: »

Whether you are living elsewhere or not, you don't appear to be able to prove it, do its pay up time.

You can try a letter from a friend - but doubt they will accept that without proof, all proof is that you live with your mother.

They should agree to a more realistic amount to pay back weekly though.

If she has as many problems as you say, then it's doubtful they will try to prosecute her for fraud, so that is one weight lifted, but I can't see any evidence you moved out, so the figures owed will stay.

Thank you for the advice. I'm going to obtain a full medical report and speak to someone about it. I don't think it's fair that they are trying to get my Mum to work when she isn't fit for it.

I'll pay the bill and probably just move back home and pay an extra £40 a week for rent. The property where my Mum lives in Band B for council tax, do you know if that is just a standard £1,150 bill for the whole year?

If I move back home, will they still help with any housing benefit? I earn £17,000 a year? I will be the only person in the household working. If not, it doesn't matter, but If any help is available then I'd like to know.

Jobseeeker

jacques_chirac wrote: »

I would expect you to pay a good proportion of what she owes. You know she is unable to manage her affairs yet until this happened you did nothing to check everything was ok.

I think you are being a bit harsh. The OP is 19 first job, first flat, would have no knowledge of benefits or even bills.

jacques_chirac

Jordxn wrote: »

I can't do anything If I don't know about it. I talk to my Mum all the time, she never told me about any of this, but it has only come to light within the past few months. I purchased half of the furniture and electrials for my Mum's household, please don't talk to me like I've done nothing for my Mum. She can only afford to pay the bills (gas, water, electric) and get food. I just said I will foot for the bill so I don't know why you are making such a rude and demeaning reply to me.

Nothing in my reply was rude, but the fact is you need to be more proactive in making sure she is ok. You know she claims benefits, so it is a good idea to check every so often that everything is ok with her claims. You have seen what will happen if you do not do this.

My parents are still relatively healthy, but I am more internet savvy than them. Hence they gave me access to their online banking and email accounts so I could keep an eye on things. It takes me ten minutes a week to check that no dodgy payments have gone out, and that they are not receiving any scam emails. That is what I mean by being proactive, spotting issues before they escalate.

princessdon

Jordxn wrote: »

I can't do anything If I don't know about it. I talk to my Mum all the time, she never told me about any of this, but it has only come to light within the past few months. I purchased half of the furniture and electrials for my Mum's household, please don't talk to me like I've done nothing for my Mum. She can only afford to pay the bills (gas, water, electric) and get food. I just said I will foot for the bill so I don't know why you are making such a rude and demeaning reply to me.

See that is more evidence you live there, buying goods etc.

Many people live at one address but have digs/rooms closer to work, it doesn't affect where you legally live for benefit reasons.

Go to CAB with her. Get a benefits review and ask for a more suitable payment plan.

Or try to fight it, which could mean a formal investigation and more stress, plus she'd owe money for bedroom tax and council tax anyway etc.

As you are earning close to £1800 pm (based on you paying £200 pm tax), then the £200 you are paying your mate, leaves some funds to help her pay it back.

Jordxn

Dovah_diva wrote: »

No, I think your Mum has committed benefit fraud. 19 years of claiming benefits is clearly not enough. Fact is, neither you nor she can prove she hasn't. So she is going to have to pay the money back.

Advise is change all your details asap and get your Mum some legal advice. If you're paying so little in rent you can afford to pay for it for her - and help out with her overpayment.

How has she committed benefit fraud? My Mum isn't some master fraudster who wants to claim benefits she's not entitled to. She just wants a roof over her head. She doesn't understand any of this stuff, she obviously got help with it all 19 years ago...and we were all children back then so it was probably easier, but a lot has changed now clearly and she hasn't been able to stay up-to-date with it all.

jacques_chirac

Jobseeeker wrote: »

I think you are being a bit harsh. The OP is 19 first job, first flat, would have no knowledge of benefits or even bills.

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?