How to cancel housing benefits

Malachi666

I have been putting off the inevitable since middle of May due to listening to too many stories. I inherited the house I was renting and it was finalised in middle of May. I should have cancelled my housing benefit at that time but I got too worries as some people said I would lose tax credits etc etc.

I need to so this asap as I am still am receiving housing benefits but feel at a lose at what to say.

I feel the truth is the best option. Can I simply say I inherited the house in May and offer to pay back what they have paid me since then???

jacques_chirac

Yes, the truth is the best option. At the very least they will ask you to repay the monies owed, but given the long time frame involved they may apply a sanction against you, which could range from an administrative penalty to prosecution (the latter being unlikely unless large amounts are involved).

Malachi666

Thanks for replying even though more scared now. The amount owing from May would be less than a thousand as I get around 220 a month for HB. Do you suggest I write or go in person?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Go in person and speak to someone - if you have any solicitors letters bring those. Unlikely you will be prosecuted.

Malachi666

Thank you for replies. To be honest, I am ashamed to go in person. I have just done my calculations and can pay back what they paid me since May. Can I be a coward and do a letter with a cheque for the full amount and explain that I simply forgot until now and apologise etc and am returning what they overpaid me?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Malachi666 wrote: »

Thank you for replies. To be honest, I am ashamed to go in person. I have just done my calculations and can pay back what they paid me since May. Can I be a coward and do a letter with a cheque for the full amount and explain that I simply forgot until now and apologise etc and am returning what they overpaid me?

The longer you leave things the bigger the debt - how you notify them is up to you.

paddedjohn

Notify them by any means that you are comfortable with and they will send you a demand for any overpayment which you can return ASAP by cheque. All sorted.

Voyager2002

Personally I would write. Keep the letter brief; perhaps say that you were shocked by the bereavement and as a result failed to report the change of circumstances at the time. Give them the date on which you last paid rent and the period of time that this rent covered (they need this information to calculate the overpayment). Most importantly: ask them to confirm the amount of any overpayment and offer to repay this.

I do not believe that they will prosecute in this situation.