Unannounced visit - Investigation Officer from Council

Housing_Benefit_Officer

ab.da54 wrote: »

Can you clarify something for me, please.

I thought the only time someone in receipt of DLA care with non dependents, would be disregarded for council tax payment was if at least one room in the house was only for their specific needs, for example, a wet room.

No - someone who received DLA care can have 100 non deps in their household and they can each be earning £1 million per year - there will be no non dep deductions from their housing benefit or council tax support.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Rahmandanel wrote: »

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

Council Tax Benefit was scrapped and replaced by Local Council Tax Support - depending on the local scheme all working age claimants are expected to pay something. About one in five councils still give 100% benefit.

If the claimant gets DLA care then the non deps are disregarded so no non dep deduction is taken.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Sounds like the O/Ps relative has moved to India and is still claiming British social security benefits and the O/P is living rent and council tax free in their relatives house - and he has now been caught out.

wildwestfan

It is odd that the OP is educated to degree level but neither his wife or 16 year old sister can read or write. This must lessen their employability.

I think this whole thread is a wind up. Interesting that someone is sick enough for DLA but can jet off for 5 months at a moments notice.

Dunroamin

Rahmandanel wrote: »

Not Pakistan but India.

Dad, Mum, Grandma, Wife from India.

Children are 6 months and 3 years.

Sister is 16.

I'm 25 working and educated to degree level.

There is nothing fishy!

Your 16 year old sister is illiterate?

tomtom256

wildwestfan wrote: »

It is odd that the OP is educated to degree level but neither his wife or 16 year old sister can read or write. This must lessen their employability.

I think this whole thread is a wind up. Interesting that someone is sick enough for DLA but can jet off for 5 months at a moments notice.

This happens quite frequently with a lot of claimants.

RuthnJasper

pinkladyof66 wrote: »

i am puzzled who made the unannounced visit on the title it says investigation officer yet now i read it is the police ! who has knocked the door surely the police are not interested in benefit fraud. I am finding it strange that going from the opening post to where poster says they have no idea as to why they should get a visit to now his father was abroad seems to me as if all the facts have not been laid here. ... no doubt there is more to this story...

I think Rahmandanel mentioned the Police as an example - it's a Council Investigator who visited unannounced.

Rahmandanel - if you haven't been colluding in - or are unaware of - any deliberate deception then there's nothing to worry about. As long as you are upfront and honest then it'll be OK.

I hope you'll be able to get a definitive answer from the Council tomorrow. Let us know how you get on. Incidentally, have you considered applying for Lasting Power of Attorney for your father? That way you might be better able to manage his affairs and avoid worry like this in future - here's a link to some information: https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview.

[Deleted User]

Rahmandanel wrote: »

Oh please!

Let me dumb this down for you.

Original post - I wasn't aware of the 13 rule.

During this Thread - Somebody mentions 13 week rule.

BINGO!!! - They want to speak to my father about his 5 month visit.

I agree - Family are illiterate.

I agree - Ignorance is no excuse.

I agree - Government should not give tax money without doing checks.

I agree - More checks should be done.

This was a genuine mistake which we want to sort out.

If it means paying the overpayment then be it!

Nothing Fishy like suggested.

Let me give you an example...

Last year my neighbour's MOT ran out and he totally forget about it. He remembered 2 months later and renewed it.
Was he being fishy?

no but he was therefore driving with no MOT and no insurance as a lack of the first invalidates the second

TSx

woodbine wrote: »

no but he was therefore driving with no MOT and no insurance as a lack of the first invalidates the second

A common misconception... not having a current MOT does not automatically invalidate your car insurance.

Saversue

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.'

I get DLA HR Care and Mobility - but no form of Income Related Benefit and have to pay FULL Council Tax.
Why should your large family have to pay nothing and take so much?

Also I asked you a number of questions relevant to the original post and you have chosen to ignore all of them - being very selective as to what you reply to does little to enhance your claims.

Please explain why you are the only one who is literate, does your 16 year old sister not go to school and don't you think the other members of your family should learn, if they wish to live in this Country and take benefits?