Strange HB visit

Blindsided_2

Hello

Hoping someone can shed some light on this.

Just moved into a new property, my HB claim has just been approved so I haven't recieved any payment as of yet.
About 30 mins ago I had a knock on the door from 2 people from my local council ( only showed me ID when prompted, although that's another story) they said they were doing a verification check.
I queried this as in all my time at my previous property I never had a visit at all.
They asked for 2 forms of ID and I filled out a form to state that I paid the amount of rent I claim and was who I claimed to be.

She then said I would be paid HB if they deemed I was eligible.

She had a copy of my claim form with her and the other gentleman sat doing not an awful lot (apart from watching tv)

Maybe I'm behind the times but I thought you would be informed of a visit, we were in the middle of having our tea but they insisted on coming in.

Is this normal. I tried to call my local authority to ask but they we're closed.

TIA

tomtom256

Probably an unnotified resdiency visit, to chek that you had moved in and that you are who you say you are.

PlymouthMaid

I worked for HB for a few months once as a temporary visiting officer and we had to do random sample visits and did not arrange these ahead. I don't think you need to worry about this although they should have shown their ID without you asking to see it., Usually we would visit alone but sometimes had a colleague with us for either training or safety reasons. We would check through the claim and check up to date pay slips etc. to 'verify' the claim. It often picked up wage increases or changes to the household which had not been reported and so it prevents overpayments escalating for too long. Hope this helps.

Blindsided_2

Thanks, just threw me a bit, as I have been receiving some HB for about 10years and never had a visit, although this is my first private tenancy, so maybe things are done differently.

I have to say I was made to feel very uncomfortable. When I asked why they were there she asked why I was concerned with that!.?
I wasn't concerned but when 2 people show up into your home and so for ID it's normal for me to ask why:rotfl:

I shall call the council tomorrow and ask if this is normal or if there is a problem with my claim. There is nothing on their website about unannounced visits for HB claims

PasturesNew

Re ID - let's face it, even if they had shown it to you you'd have never known if it were legit anyway.

Blindsided_2

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

I worked for HB for a few months once as a temporary visiting officer and we had to do random sample visits and did not arrange these ahead. I don't think you need to worry about this although they should have shown their ID without you asking to see it., Usually we would visit alone but sometimes had a colleague with us for either training or safety reasons. We would check through the claim and check up to date pay slips etc. to 'verify' the claim. It often picked up wage increases or changes to the household which had not been reported and so it prevents overpayments escalating for too long. Hope this helps.

Thanks

Just find it strange they a visiting before I have even had any payment from them. They only just verified the documents I sent out. Although they only wanted ID this time.

Blindsided_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

Re ID - let's face it, even if they had shown it to you you'd have never known if it were legit anyway.

Well, the quick flash of ID I did get, it could have been a tesco club card for all I know :rotfl:

fed_up_and_stressed

Sadly I can see the point of the HB dept coming for an unannouced visit. At the end of the day it's not difficult for a landlord /or claimant to potentially submit a potentially fraudulent claim . Tenancy agreements can be easily purchase / downloaded from the internet and where monies are now generally paid direct to claimants there is a potential for fraud.

Twisted_Cherry

Yes it's normal for them to visit unannounced. I had a visit several years back when I worked part time. Even more ironic was I actually worked for HB!

Blindsided_2

fed_up_and_stressed wrote: »

Sadly I can see the point of the HB dept coming for an unannouced visit. At the end of the day it's not difficult for a landlord /or claimant to potentially submit a potentially fraudulent claim . Tenancy agreements can be easily purchase / downloaded from the internet and where monies are now generally paid direct to claimants there is a potential for fraud.

Yes I agree, but I still think that not telling me why they were visiting only adds stress. If it is simply to verify I am there, all good. If it is to investigate fraud then tell me and I can show proof I live alone or whatever it may be. Cloak and dagger tars everyone with the same brush.

As it is all I have is a receipt that they saw my id and that my tenancy has been established.

bloolagoon

Blindsided wrote: »

Yes I agree, but I still think that not telling me why they were visiting only adds stress. If it is simply to verify I am there, all good. If it is to investigate fraud then tell me and I can show proof I live alone or whatever it may be. Cloak and dagger tars everyone with the same brush.

As it is all I have is a receipt that they saw my id and that my tenancy has been established.

Did you move into your ex's house or did you find a new place?