Unannounced visit - Investigation Officer from Council

Housing_Benefit_Officer

wildwestfan wrote: »

Is it possible then to pay no council tax if someone in the house claims DLA?

If the claimant gets DLA care then all the non deps are disregarded so there are no non dep deductions.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

When tax payers money is being handed out to pay someone's rent and council tax of course the claimant should be visited to check the details they have declared are corrects and accurate.

It always surprises me when people are so shocked when a council official or a DWP official wants to verify that the details they have declared are the same as their current circumstances.

Should someone fill in a couple of forms and receive tens of thousands of taxpayers cash every year with no checks whatsoever?

There should be more visits.

Rahmandanel

princessdon wrote: »

Your extra child isn't an issue (unless it severely under occupies you, given living rooms can be used this is doubtful).

I'd guess your dads absence was reported and they want to see he still lives there.

In your OP you said you knew there was no reason for the visit, yet you now say, you know there is. Which is it? We can't advise without facts. There are ways around things, but half arsed guesses are not the way to go. You are anonymous, it's best to take factual advice without any true personal issues than drip feed,

I total understand what you are saying.

At the time when I posted I wasn't sure about the rules. Only when I was reading about the rules later (and when someone mentioned the 13 week rule) the whole think clicked with me. With everyone's input on here I come to the conclusion that my dad's stay abroad is the issue. I'm going to ring the council and ask them to visit ASAP so I can get this sorted. Honestly at first I was clueless about the rules.

Rahmandanel

tomtom256 wrote: »

I am a little confused as to why no one was in, out of all the people allegedly resident in the property when the initial visit took place.

I am also unsure why no one has telephoned the council once you saw the letter through the door.

If you had nothing to hide would you not have called straight away!

I have read over the thread but can not seem to find the dates your father was overseas. Do you have the exact dates or timescale? (may have missed it).

Has he got a sick note to advise of the illness and a recommendation not to fly during the illness? Without this you will be liable for any potential overpayment.

Does he also have proof of the death in the family? Again this will help with any overpayment.

Hi

Nobody was in because I was at work and family was out shopping.

The letter was posted on Friday at 11am. Family didn't get back until around 4pm. Also I am the only one who can read or write and by the time I got back from work it was 7pm and Council was closed hence why it has been left so late.

I can't remember the exact dates but I think dad was abroad for about 5 months.

He doesn't have a sick note as dad didn't know he was breaking the rules. He can always request a sick note form the doctor.

Yes he has death certificate.

Rahmandanel

wildwestfan wrote: »

Is it possible then to pay no council tax if someone in the house claims DLA?

I believe this was the rule but I have been told yesterday that this rule has now changed and 20% needs to be paid.

Rahmandanel

Saversue wrote: »

I can't follow the exact cC as you seem to keep changing them.

Don't understand why the household doesn't pay any Council Tax - with you working, wouldn't that count as income or is your income so low that you are also claiming benefits ?
What does your Dad claim DLA for and how old is he? Has he ever worked ?
What is the total Family Income?
Where did he travel to and where did the money come from to pay for this visit?
As other OP says, with so many people, it seems strange one one was in the house.

You keep saying you are honest, but have failed to inform of your Dad's absence or your new child. As your family are claiming benefits and you are responsible for the mail, why haven't you found out about the rules?

Hi

Let me clarify that i'm not changing the circumstances.... i'm giving information as I am being made aware.

For example I didn't know about the 13 week... so when somebody mentioned it.... it clicked with me and then I wrote about my dad being aware. I'm not lying or changing anything.

I'm not going to give you numbers but my income is below average. But it is so much that I don't get Working Tax Credit.

Our household doesn't pay Council Tax because my father who owns the property is disabled. I though this was strange too and I went to check with our council and I was told the same. Now it is up to you if you want to believe me or not! But I hear the rules have now been changed and even disabled people have to pay 20%.

The money for his ticket came from me.

Does forgetting to inform the council of a couple of things make one dishonest?

I've read the rules yesterday and it seems like one needs to tell he council even he farts!

Rahmandanel

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

When tax payers money is being handed out to pay someone's rent and council tax of course the claimant should be visited to check the details they have declared are corrects and accurate.

It always surprises me when people are so shocked when a council official or a DWP official wants to verify that the details they have declared are the same as their current circumstances.

Should someone fill in a couple of forms and receive tens of thousands of taxpayers cash every year with no checks whatsoever?

There should be more visits.

I agree 100%.

I'm a tax payer and people getting my money without checks annoys me.

I agree there should be MORE checks.

But unannounced visit like the police.... it's a bit over the top. I'm a professional and write polite letters if I want to arrange a meeting and I think the council should do the same.

Rahmandanel

Saversue wrote: »

I can't follow the exact circumstances as you seem to keep changing them.

Don't understand why the household doesn't pay any Council Tax - with you working, wouldn't that count as income or is your income so low that you are also claiming benefits ?
What does your Dad claim DLA for and how old is he? Has he ever worked ?
What is the total Family Income?
Where did he travel to and where did the money come from to pay for this visit?
As other OP says, with so many people, it seems strange one one was in the house.

You keep saying you are honest, but have failed to inform of your Dad's absence or your new child. As your family are claiming benefits and you are responsible for the mail, why haven't you found out about the rules?

Here is what somebody has wrote about why people who claim DLA don't pay Council Tax.


'If the claimant gets DLA care then all the non deps are disregarded so there are no non dep deductions.'

pmlindyloo

Rahmandanel wrote: »

Here is what somebody has wrote about why people who claim DLA don't pay Council Tax.


'If the claimant gets DLA care then all the non deps are disregarded so there are no non dep deductions.'

Just to confirm the people who are in receipt of the care component of DLA do not have non dependent deductions made for housing benefit or council tax.

Just one link but many more.

http://www.islington.gov.uk/advice/benefits/counciltaxandhousingbenefits/Pages/non-dependants.aspx

However, this fact is largely irrelevant as regards the OP's father's situation.

It seems to be about not notifying the relevant departments of the fact that he was abroad for such a long time.

MidnightHour

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Just to confirm the people who are in receipt of the care component of DLA do not have non dependent deductions made for housing benefit or council tax.

Just one link but many more.

http://www.islington.gov.uk/advice/benefits/counciltaxandhousingbenefits/Pages/non-dependants.aspx

However, this fact is largely irrelevant as regards the OP's father's situation.

It seems to be about not notifying the relevant departments of the fact that he was abroad for such a long time.

I learn something new here everyday Thank you.