Housing Benefit Suspended *Solved*

d122y

sniggings wrote: »

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.

I've had plenty of problems with them.. I'll give you a quick run down :j

I had a PCSO knocking my door, saying that she's doing a door to door about complaints of local teenagers.
politely I declined and asked if she would leave my door, She demanded that I give her my details.. Name, DOB etc as it was the law.
I've studied law myself prior to my Illness.
I informed her that unless she had suspicion of a crime (a PCSO can only request these in my area under certain circumstances, Breach of the Peace etc)
Then it wasn't a lawful request and I wouldn't fulfil it.
She left..
I later found out by my local HA officer, that the said PCSO she knows personally - Sent her a personal email asking for my details (no warrant, no suspicion of crime etc)
Anyway - The Housing Officer gave her all my details, breaching various Data protection acts
I kicked up a massive fuss and made formal complaints to both parties with results...

Complained a number of times about Dumping of rubbish by HA workers that hasn't been moved and chased them down constantly about it.

I pay a charge each month on top of my rent which is towards cleaning and maintenance of the outside.
It's never been cleaned since I've moved here (2yrs) and it's disgusting.
I've kicked up a fuss about that and been fobbed off many times.

myself and neighbours had environmental health out about the pigeon problems caused by one resident. They acknowledged this issue, sent letters out and yet the HA haven't acted on it regardless of telling us they would.
I've chased them endless amounts of times.

My flat isn't up to regulations, I have a bathroom which is over 10yrs old and wasn't changed when I moved in (now before the benefits hit squad jump on this, engage your brain) . It's not even fit for washing in.
I still have the old gas boiler system that was fitted when the property was built in the 60s, with a possibility of parts being changed over the years.
I've chased this endless amount of times and been fobbed off every time (we've got no money blah blah, when we get funding you maybe entitled to it but there are people waiting)

My windows are falling out, they're not interested.
I can't even sit by them - I can feel a constant chilling breeze in this weather.

I've had 7 chest infections since moving into this place.. I've never had a single one prior to me moving here. It's madness. The place is in a really nice leafy village.
My street is far from it.

I don't want to come across as one of those nosey neighbours, I'm totally not.. I'm guilty of playing my jungle music at mid day on Saturday.
But when rent is being paid to these people and they're just taking the money and taking the attitude "they're on benefits f*ck them, second class citizens" I'm going to make a stand.. Because I'm on benefits doesn't mean I should live in a S*hit hole.

Also, just because I claim benefits doesn't make me less educated than you either.
It's just a series of unfortunate events that lead me here..

sniggings

d122y wrote: »

I've had plenty of problems with them.. I'll give you a quick run down :j

I had a PCSO knocking my door, saying that she's doing a door to door about complaints of local teenagers.
politely I declined and asked if she would leave my door, She demanded that I give her my details.. Name, DOB etc as it was the law.
I've studied law myself prior to my Illness.
I informed her that unless she had suspicion of a crime (a PCSO can only request these in my area under certain cricumstances, Breach of the Peace etc)
Then it wasn't a lawful request and I wouldn't fulfil it.
She left..
I later found out by my local HA officer, that the said PCSO she knows personally - Sent her a personal email asking for my details (no warrant, no suspicion of crime etc)
Anyway - The Housing Officer gave her all my details, breaching various Data protection acts
I kicked up a massive fuss and made formal complaints to both parties with results...

Complained a number of times about Dumping of rubbish by HA workers that hasn't been moved and chased them down constantly about it.

I pay a charge each month on top of my rent which is towards cleaning and maintenance of the outside.
It's never been cleaned since i've moved here (2yrs) and it's disgusting.
I've kicked up a fuss about that and been fobbed off many times.

myself and neighbours had environmental health out about the pigeon problems caused by one resident. They acknowledged this issue, sent letters out and yet the HA haven't acted on it regardless of telling us they would.
I've chased them endless amounts of times.

My flat isn't up to regulations, I have a bathroom which is over 10yrs old and wasn't changed when I moved in. It's not even fit for washing in.
I still have the old gas boiler system that was fitted when the property was built in the 60s, with a possible of parts changed over the years.
I've chased this endless amount of times and been fobbed off every time

My windows are falling out, they're not intrested.
I can't even sit by them - I can feel a constant chilling breeze in this weather.

I don't want to come across as one of those nosey neighbours, I'm totally not.. I'm guilty of playing my jungle music at mid day on Saturday.
But when rent is being paid to these people and they're just taking the money and taking the attitude "they're on benefits f*ck them, second class citizens" I'm going to make a stand.. Because i'm on benefits doesn't mean I should live in a S*hit hole.

well done, there should be more people like you, then these people wouldn't think they can get away with it.

You want to think about putting in a compliant about them stopping your benefit without them letting you have the right of reply, as far as I know they are meant to ask you first if stopping your benefit would cause you hardship (daft I know as of cause it would) , but just to stop it on the say so of someone is not right.

See if you can get them to own up who made the report and complain about them too, to me that is a sacking offence.

d122y

They didn't technically stop it.. Just put it on "hold". I'm sure it's a loop hole or some sort they're using.

How would I go about complaining? I made a comment earlier to one of them and was told "we have to act on this" kinda putting me in the frame of mind that what they was doing, was fine?

Thinking about it - every person I know who's on benefits, I could potentially cause them some sort of discomfort by just dropping an anonymous email to the council and say they're working?

Or because it's the HA, they have more weight in being believed..

Thinking about it all.. I'm kinda confused. You can look at this from two sides.. I picture The Benefit Hit squad saying "YOU SHOULD BE CHECKED" and "ITS RIGHT THEY DID THAT"

Yeah, at the expense of that precious tax money you seem to bang on about.

Someone has exploited the system to cause distress to a person..
They have no reason to believe I'm working, I'm not..
Their's nothing I could have said or done to give them this idea.

FRESTER

I'm pleased you got this sorted.
I have had similar situations in the past and it is a huge worry.

sniggings

d122y wrote: »

They didn't technically stop it.. Just put it on "hold". I'm sure it's a loop hole or some sort they're using.

How would I go about complaining? I made a comment earlier to one of them and was told "we have to act on this" kinda putting me in the frame of mind that what they was doing, was fine?

Thinking about it - every person I know who's on benefits, I could potentially cause them some sort of discomfort by just dropping an anonymous email to the council and say they're working?

Or because it's the HA, they have more weight in being believed..

Thinking about it all.. I'm kinda confused. You can look at from two sides.. The Benefit Hit squad saying "YOU SHOULD BE CHECKED" and "ITS RIGHT THEY DID THAT"

Yeah, at the expense of that precious tax money you seem to bang on about.

Someone has exploited the system to cause distress to a person.

yeah it won't be easy to complain and make it stick, as these people close ranks but I am surprised they told you who made the complaint, would have been good if they had let a name slip.

You could always ask for a copy of all the info they hold on you, some charge for this but some/all government bodies don't, you never know the name might be on screen, but even if no name, if they have told you it was the housing association, that would be enough, I'm sure they have a complaints department, do housing association have an ombudsman?

In fact you could even complain to the police, as to me that is harassment, but I guess it's how far you want to take it.

Worth getting these things on paper tho, as it sounds like they have it in for you, so the more paper work you have on your side, the better it will be to fight any other claim they make about you, trust me they will be gathering all the paper work they can on you and will use it if they can to get you out.

NYM

My flat isn't up to regulations, I have a bathroom which is over 10yrs old and wasn't changed when I moved in. It's not even fit for washing in.

What's wrong with it ?

I still have the old gas boiler system that was fitted when the property was built in the 60s, with a possible of parts changed over the years.
I've chased this endless amount of times and been fobbed off every time

Ask for a copy of an up-to-date Gas Safety record. All landlords have to provide it to the tenant upon request.
Landlords must also maintain gas appliances, so check the date when yours were last serviced as well.


It doesn't matter how old the boiler or appliance is, it's whether it's safe. If it is, you get to continue using it.

StormyWeather_2

d122y wrote: »

Complained a number of times about Dumping of rubbish by HA workers that hasn't been moved and chased them down constantly about it.

I pay a charge each month on top of my rent which is towards cleaning and maintenance of the outside.
It's never been cleaned since I've moved here (2yrs) and it's disgusting.
I've kicked up a fuss about that and been fobbed off many times.

myself and neighbours had environmental health out about the pigeon problems caused by one resident. They acknowledged this issue, sent letters out and yet the HA haven't acted on it regardless of telling us they would.
I've chased them endless amounts of times.

There must be some legal process you can follow regarding paying a service charge and that service not being provided.

Are all your neighbours unhappy about them not doing the cleaning and maintenance? Maybe you could send a group letter along the lines of, if they don't do what they're supposed to do then you'll all withhold the payments and employ someone privately to clean up.

d122y

I've been told that all the housing association properties in my area should have been updated to combi-boilers.
Some of my neighbours have them.

As for my bathroom - It has poor drainage which I've asked for it to be looked at.
The bath has a crack in it... Ample amounts of cement over the back of the sink splashed everywhere.
The toilet sits on a rotten wooden bloc and the system is falling apart and doesn't flush correctly.
The board that hides the pipes to the bath is badly damaged.
All there from when I moved in.

They fitted a new kitchen when I moved in, When talking to neighbours - they informed me that when they moved in Both Kitchen & Bathrooms are done as standard if over a certain age.


I would fix these issues myself if I was able to, but it's not my property and I would be charged through the nose in correcting them.

I've even offered to pay for a new bathroom myself - but was advised that if i did so, I would be charged to correct it when i moved out.
Same when I mentioned about the broken door I have.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

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.

Of course having your claim suspended and if you did nothing then your rent would go into arrears. If you then fell more than 8 weeks in arrears then your landlord could ask for the money to be paid direct to them again - probably at the same time as withdrawing any allegation of fraud - not that I am suggesting this would be an underhand tactic used by some landlords...

NYM

d122y wrote: »

I've been told that all the housing association properties in my area should have been updated to combi-boilers.
Some of my neighbours have them.

There will be a programme of works. Maybe yours has been 'missed' off, but you only need to check with the HA.

d122y wrote: »

As for my bathroom - It has poor drainage which I've asked for it to be looked at.
The bath has a crack in it... Ample amounts of cement over the back of the sink splashed everywhere.
The toilet sits on a rotten wooden bloc and the system is falling apart and doesn't flush correctly.
The board that hides the pipes to the bath is badly damaged.
All there from when I moved in.

Have you checked the drainage yourself ? Is it possible that the drain is clogged up with soap scum/hair ?

d122y wrote: »

They fitted a new kitchen when I moved in, When talking to neighbours - they informed me that when they moved in Both Kitchen & Bathrooms are done as standard if over a certain age.

That may have been the case a few years ago. I imagine that most social Landlords are desperately trying to save some money. If it isn't absolutely necessary, they may leave it. You will need to contact them to find out if yours is included in their planned improvement programme.

d122y wrote: »

I would fix these issues myself if I was able to, but it's not my property and I would be charged through the nose in correcting them.

I've even offered to pay for a new bathroom myself - but was advised that if i did so, I would be charged to correct it when i moved out.....

You would if you didn't get their written permission. You may even be able to get them to pay for some of the costs.

Please read the following link.

You will need your landlord's agreement in writing before you start making any improvements to your home. Contact them to give them details of the work you plan to do, and their procedure for getting their permission.

Your landlord should not refuse permission unless there is good reason. If it does refuse to give you permission, it will write to you and tell you why. If you disagree with its decision you can appeal in writing.

Depending on what work you want to do to your home, you may also need planning permission and building regulations approval.

You will be responsible for repairing and maintaining any home improvement work that you do.

The council has the right to inspect the improvement work and to insist on certain ways the work should be done.

If you do not get written permission before you start work, you may have to return the property to its original condition and pay for that work.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/disrepair_in_rented_accommodation/repairs_in_social_housing/making_improvements_to_your_council_or_housing_association_home