Housing Benefit Suspended *Solved*

sniggings

sounds like a mistake to me, or they have sent out letters asking for info and it's either been lost in the post or ignored.

I doubt a review would start with a letter being sent out to say your benefit is being stopped.

Robbie64

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

If you claim benefits then expect you household and financial circumstances to be periodically checked. When large quantities of taxpayers money are being paid to cover housing costs and council tax liabilities then it is own right and proper and to be expected that the recipient is periodically reviewed to ensure the right person is receiving the right benefit at the right time - and they are not on the fiddle.

In the old days - before Labour scrapped reviews - you would have had to complete Housing Benefit review form every 60 weeks. Some were reviewed every 13 weeks or 26 weeks or 40 weeks or 52 weeks depending on the risk of fraud and overpayment. Now, thanks to the last Labour Government, there is no end date for a Housing Benefit claim. So some people haven't been reviewed for 5 or 6 years.

People are expected to notify the benefits department of any changes to household and financial circumstances as and when they happen.

No-one disputes that reviews shouldn't take place but it's not on to frighten the life out of someone by stopping their benefit without something happening beforehand. Look at the anxiety it has caused the thread starter.

Not everyone is familiar with how the benefit system works and someone with an inclination towards worrying could start panicking if they start to worry about how they can make the next rent payment when their Housing Benefit has been stopped.

sniggings

Robbie64 wrote: »

No-one disputes that reviews shouldn't take place but it's not on to frighten the life out of someone by stopping their benefit without something happening beforehand. Look at the anxiety it has caused the thread starter.

Not everyone is familiar with how the benefit system works and someone with an inclination towards worrying could start panicking if they start to worry about how they can make the next rent payment when their Housing Benefit has been stopped.

exactly, I have no idea if the guy that calls him/herslf housing officer is one, but they should know it's against the rules to stop benefit without notice if it will cause hardship, and a review would not normally mean a benefit is stopped before the review is carried out, so either Housing officer doesn't know their job, or they are a nasty piece of work as their "advice" always seems to be very patchy, leaving out important facts that could help a claimant, and filled with personnel comment, which given their user name should come into it.

candlelight2012

Is there a reason why you have aked for the HB to now be paid to you instead of the LandLord?

sniggings

candlelight2012 wrote: »

Is there a reason why you have aked for the HB to now be paid to you instead of the LandLord?

probably because any over payment is still payable by the claimant, and housing benefit in my experience can be over paid, and you find out about it months later.

sniggings

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Spending money for Christmas.

I doubt it.

DaveTheMus

d122y wrote: »

I'm really confused as to why this has landed on my door and for what possible reason?

This is because we require a full update of your current circumstances

:beer:

d122y

candlelight2012 wrote: »

Is there a reason why you have aked for the HB to now be paid to you instead of the LandLord?

I want to be more independent and manage my finances, It's just a way i'm coping and trying to get back to normal.

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Spending money for Christmas.

Can't quite work out if that's an attempted at humour or not?
I'm not that much of a c**t. Roof over my head VS Xmas presents? hmmmm
My money is managed perfectly fine, i don't need to rob from peter to pay paul and I find that comment quite offensive.

d122y

It seems as if the Housing Association informed the council that they suspect I maybe working.

I'm not....

I've been informed the suspension will be lifted today and it's back to normal.
I can't say I've enjoyed having the letter arrive on Saturday morning, rendering me totally helpless until the Monday leaving me to stew.

The lady at the council offices made a smart remark about me being up at the crack of dawn and going there as soon as they open.
I had to politely inform her how this was serious to me.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Much appreciated


I think the answer to this question is - If you have done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to worry about.

sniggings

d122y wrote: »

It seems as if the Housing Association informed the council that they suspect I maybe working.

I'm not....

I've been informed the suspension will be lifted today and it's back to normal.
I can't say I've enjoyed having the letter arrive on Saturday morning, rendering me totally helpless until the Monday leaving me to stew.

The lady at the council offices made a smart remark about me being up at the crack of dawn and going there as soon as they open.
I had to politely inform her how this was serious to me.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Much appreciated


I think the answer to this question is - If you have done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to worry about.

seems she believes Osbourne's statement that all people on benefits sleep in all day, cheeky mare.

Hope you told her you had now done your days work and were going to put your feet up :rotfl:

What made the housing association do that?

Glad you have it sorted tho.