Bedroom Tax Loophole Claim in Progress

cattermole

Perhaps Wolverhampton Homes can give you more advice and information?

http://www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/aboutus/news/406-bedroom-tax-latest-news

MidnightHour

yankee77 wrote: »

Hi Morglin

Can the council give me a deadline to get proof back or is this an obstruction? The council has given me to 4th March to get proof back and the place I have wrote to will get my request for details tomorrow by Recorded Post.

Thank You

No they can't give you a deadline, have you put in writing you want them to look at the claim again?

Contact them again and ask to speak to a manager, also contact the local CAB, THERE IS NO DEADLINE.

More info on the loophole here: http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/changes_to_housing_benefit/bedroom_tax_loophole

Some more info here, take notice of appeal process: http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2014/feb/06/bedroom-tax-loophole-guide-councils-housing-associations

yankee77

Hi Midnighthour

I wrote for first time to council and they wrote back this Friday asking me to get the details the proof of what benefit housing benefit proof from 96 to 2004 and in the letter she has typed reply within the time limit 4th March.

So I am awaiting the proof from Benefits Centre that I have wrote to in Wolverhampton, they will get that letter tomorrow. What panicked me was get all details back to my housing benefit by 4th March about 21 days time, there only being 28 days in this month.

I thought my council would have had all the proof but they got me to send for it. I now wait for the proof from Benefits Centre its called National Benefits Office.

So I am correct she cannot put a time limit on me getting proof in that is really good to know.

yankee77

Hi

In the Guardian link it says loophole will be closed 3rd March that doesn't mean I won't be able to get my money back does it?

MidnightHour

yankee77 wrote: »

Hi

In the Guardian link it says loophole will be closed 3rd March that doesn't mean I won't be able to get my money back does it?

It doesn't matter when or if they close the loophole the fact remains they shouldn't have deducted your housing benefit from 1st April 2013, provided you fill all the criteria.

If you get any more run around from them request a tribunal, put it in writing.

Morglin

Whether they manage to close the loophole or not, this previously deducted money is owed to you, and until the loophole is closed, you shouldn't be 'paying' the bedroom tax. (No deductions should be made, in other words)

It is their job to sort it out, so push them until they do.

Lin

ceecee1

You need to go back to the council. DWP records will not show that you have received HB continuously. Only council records can confirm this

yankee77

Hi

I did phone DWP but they told me they don't have the records but they gave me a phone number, and they told me to write to National Benefits Office Site B Wolverhampton where my past records would be held. In the letter I asked them to send copies to my council and also to myself as I need to show proof.

I feel a bit better knowing that the time limit date she has put 4th March from the council does not stand and that I will get this sorted. At first I felt all panicked thinking how am I going to get proof especially within that time limit. If they the council mess me about I am going to Mental Health CAB I have left my details about this situation when I phoned them on Friday.

outoffunds

Our council gives deadlines for receipt of information for housing benefit. It is usually four weeks and clearly states on their website and letters etc they send out that they will close a claim if the information was not received by the deadline. It is possible to ask for an extension but no guarantee it will be given.

yankee77

I have spoke to Welfare Rights the council cannot put a time limit on my getting the information because it is an Official Error.