Unannounced visit - Investigation Officer from Council

Rahmandanel

princessdon wrote: »

Does anyone else use the address? Ie a child who moved out applying for credit at that address? Does he have savings or own a home elsewhere? Has he been on a long holiday overseas?

If there is nothing you can think of then tell him not to worry

princessdon

The address is used by dad, mum, grandma, my sister, me, wife and 2 kids.

I am the only working occupant and the council are aware of this. In 2010 I went to the council to give them a list of people who live in the house and to tell them I am working. They put all the details on the system. I asked if council tax needs to be paid because I am employed and I was told because my dad is disabled no council tax needs to be paid. I got to say since then I have had another child who I haven't told them about.

Dad doesn't have any other homes or savings.

In Jan 2013 my dad's nephew died and my dad in an emergency went abroad for his funeral. My dad spend about 5 months abroad. As he went in an emergency on the day when his nephew died he didn't get the chance to tell the council. Too be honest in this stressful period we have totally forgot to inform the council and only realised when we received the letter.

I hope the officer has a heart and understand if the above is the problem.

Rahmandanel

MidnightHour wrote: »

He does get housing benefit though?

Some councils do visit, it's to make sure people are living in the property they are claiming benefit for, they usually write to tell you they will be making a visit.

Perhaps they did write to your dad and he lost/never received it.

It's nothing to worry about but make sure he is there for the next visit.

Unfortunately I get the job of reading all the post in the house and I haven't received any letter from the council saying somebody will be visiting.

princessdon

You will have some questions as pension credit for example is only permitted for 13 weeks abroad.
Pretty sure housing benefit etc is the same.
Does anyone claim carers for him?

Rahmandanel

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Our local council sends out officers about every three years. They just go over the forms and check that you are receiving the correct amount of benefit. I asked why I had a visit last year, and was told that it actually works out cheaper to send an officer and get everything sorted out in one visit, than to wait for people to send back forms, resend forms because the original ones have been lost, chase up copies of benefit awards, deal with appeals when there have been mistakes made on the forms by clients, etc.

The only thing that leaps out from your post is that you say your dad doesn't pay council tax. The rules changed earlier this year, and many people who didn't have to pay before now have to pay up to 20%. I'm on income support as carer for my disabled son, and now pay 20% council tax, having been exempt previously.

Also, pension credit doesn't necessarily exclude you from paying council tax. It depends on which type of pension credit it is.

I hope it's just a visit to check over paperwork/benefits.

I'm going to give her a call on Monday and ask her what the purpose of her visit!

Thanks for you reply.

Rahmandanel

princessdon wrote: »

You will have some questions as pension credit for example is only permitted for 13 weeks abroad.
Pretty sure housing benefit etc is the same.
Does anyone claim carers for him?

Too be honest my dad can't read or write. He applied for benefits with the help of our local councillor. Dad doesn't know anything about the rules. Once we received the letter I checked out the rules and read about the 13 week rule. My dad went abroad in an emergency and was ill abroad. I just hope they understand.

Thanks

Rahmandanel

princessdon wrote: »

You will have some questions as pension credit for example is only permitted for 13 weeks abroad.
Pretty sure housing benefit etc is the same.
Does anyone claim carers for him?

also nobody is claiming carers for him.

[Deleted User]

why do i get this feeling that theres more to this than meets the eye?

jacques_chirac

Rahmandanel wrote: »

I hope it's just a visit to check over paperwork/benefits.

I'm going to give her a call on Monday and ask her what the purpose of her visit!

Thanks for you reply.

But you will be declaring the extended period of absence when they visit?

jetplane

They will need to establish the facts to determine whether he was entitled to any benefit while abroad. If they have not been notified then they do not know how long for and the reasons. For example if he was not entitled to DLA or AA for some of the time then his council tax would be affected.

If you haven't told them then they will have to visit him at home and they probably want to check that he has returned.

princessdon

woodbine wrote: »

why do i get this feeling that theres more to this than meets the eye?

And of course I guessed randomly based on a few lines of text the issue.

Op I asked that question based on your use of language, they monitor and have access to none EU travel - I think I'm right that this isn't EU. Chances are they will know about his absence, hence the visit, but it may not mean a huge overpayment (I don't know) given others live there. But you'd be foolish to try and hide it if I can glean from a few lines, they will probably know all his entry and exit dates.