[Help] Council Tax + Housing Benefit

jacques_chirac

Jordxn wrote: »

She hasn't missed an appointment at the job centre because she has to go to one every two weeks and she has a card reminding her of that. She doesn't forget that because she goes to the job centre all the time to use the machines and look for a job. She doesn't forget that because she buys 3 different local newspapers to look for jobs. I've looked at all of her letters from the council, they haven't sent many this year until recently. She's not incapable to the point where she can't do anything, but it's a case of her ignoring the problem at hand and not being able to cope or deal with it. She doesn't really understand the process and procedures. She didn't know to update the council and she probably didn't get anyone to explain the letters to her either. I have explained what I can to her now, but it's too late...so I think I'll just need to pay the bill. I wish she told me about it earlier,.

If she can understand the JCP instructions, it will be very difficult to argue she did not understand those from the council. The change in circumstances notification is always very clear (and usually in bold), something like this:

It may be considered as fraud if you knowingly continue to receive housing benefit or council tax support when your entitlement may have changed.

Your suggestion that she has ignored the problem/ buried her head in the sand seems more likely, and is quite common behaviour from someone that is depressed.

You are doing the right thing now. Work out how much you can afford to repay each week and contact the council with an offer. Then see what more can be done to help your mum going forward.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Jordxn wrote: »

I live 20-30 miles away.

...and how far away is your employment from your friends - and how far away is it from your Mothers?

Jordxn

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

...and how far away is your employment from your friends - and how far away is it from your Mothers?

It's minutes from my workplace (less than 1 mile) and it's still 20-30 miles away form my Mother's property.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Jordxn wrote: »

It's minutes from my workplace (less than 1 mile) and it's still 20-30 miles away form my Mother's property.

Do your bank statements show any daily travel costs (i.e. bus/train etc).

How do you travel to your Mother's? And are the costs for this travel shown on your bank statements?

Jordxn

jacques_chirac wrote: »

If she can understand the JCP instructions, it will be very difficult to argue she did not understand those from the council. The change in circumstances notification is always very clear (and usually in bold), something like this:

It may be considered as fraud if you knowingly continue to receive housing benefit or council tax support when your entitlement may have changed.

Your suggestion that she has ignored the problem/ buried her head in the sand seems more likely, and is quite common behaviour from someone that is depressed.

You are doing the right thing now. Work out how much you can afford to repay each week and contact the council with an offer. Then see what more can be done to help your mum going forward.

Thank you very much, I really appreciate the help and advice.

I sent my sister's university letter off to the council, would my Mum still receive a rent/council tax discount if I were to move back home?

If I move back home, but I'm the only person working in the household, what would the rent be do you know? or would she still receive any housing benefit/council tax reductions?

I just want to try and get my head around it and understand, it's pretty difficult for me as I'm new to all of this stuff.

Jordxn

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Do your bank statements show any daily travel costs (i.e. bus/train etc).

How do you travel to your Mother's? And are the costs for this travel shown on your bank statements?

I purchase my monthly travel pass from the bus driver for £105 and he gives me a laminated ticket - I only keep hold of them for a month and then throw them away.

princessdon

I have a few nephews your age at uni, they kept address at home, yet have proof of where they live.

Never ordered from eBay, amazon on line delivered to your friends address. Mobile phone contract would be a big one etc.

Dunroamin

Jordxn wrote: »

I purchase my monthly travel pass from the bus driver for £105 and he gives me a laminated ticket - I only keep hold of them for a month and then throw them away.

You're paying £105 pcm for a journey of less than a mile?

Jordxn

princessdon wrote: »

I have a few nephews your age at uni, they kept address at home, yet have proof of where they live.

Never ordered from eBay, amazon on line delivered to your friends address. Mobile phone contract would be a big one etc.

I'm not at university, it's my sister who is at university. I'm working. I've ordered stuff from Amazon/eBay and it has been sent to the address where I'm staying, but I've kept all of my important stuff registered at the Mum's address...stuff like bank/phone bills etc..

Jordxn

Dunroamin wrote: »

You're paying £105 pcm for a journey of less than a mile?

No, that's a travel pass to go around the whole of the county, so to return home when I need to, to go to different towns and see my friends...to travel within the same town where I currently work and live. It's for all of that...it's cheaper than paying for seperate tickets and it's cheaper than running a car.