Bedroom Tax Loophole Claim in Progress

iluvmarmite

Although they are closing the loophole, they can't close it retrospectively, and has been said, this means all those who qualify will still get what they have paid back.

yankee77

Hi Iluvmarmite

The council cannot put a time limit on my claim to it can they, from when they wrote back saying reply by 4th March within the time limit. This is what the Welfare Rights told me, but someone on here said they can close my claim if not replied with info by they time limit date they have given.

Morglin

Councils have been told that they need to track down affected tenants.

Put a claim in, and if you have trouble with them, contact your local councillor or MP.

This is official error by the government, and affected tenants are entitled to refunds - it is as simple as that.

Lin

MidnightHour

As said several times already there is no time limit in this.

Furthermore the DWP have asked councils to identify people who this has affected and repay them, if the council asked me to provide proof i would tell them to go whistle dixie, it's up to them to sort it out not you.

Contact your MP if you get anymore slaver, that's what he/she is paid for.

Sir_Pac

Just a quick question, how would one word the letter to apply for exemption based on this loophole, and who should you send the letter to to get the ball rolling.

Thanks in advance

lld01

yankee77 wrote: »

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.

Just so you know, this address is for the DWP mail opening centre. No records are held there. Mail is opened there, then either electronically scanned or physically sent on to the relevant office (depending on the area/benefit). It'll take a few days for that to happen.

The DWP are unlikely to hold any records of your housing benefit award, but should hopefully hold records of other benefits you claimed at the time.

yankee77

Template letter

http://speye.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/continuous-hb-since-before-1-jan-1996-are-you-exempt-from-the-bedroom-tax/

send to the council where they do the housing benefit, your local council, also get in touch with your housing. You need to have been claiming housing benefit since 1996 continuously and also have been in the same property since 1996 as well. My council have requested me to get the details the proof from 1996 to 2004 as they do not have the details from that time period due to having to get rid of details after so many years, data protection, so I wrote to the main DWP Base for my area where they have all records, not the normal DWP Centre jobcentres.

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My question: I know with the loophole there is no time limit that someone a year or whenever from the loophole they can claim, but can my council give me a time limit to get the details back to them or they will throw my case out and I would have to appeal it.

The place where I sent the letter requesting details they got this morning so hopefully it will all be back in time. If I have any hassle then I am straight onto Welfare Rights

Morglin

Yes, do that or contact your MP or councillor, as the nearer we get to any elections, the more 'helpful' they tend to be!

Lin

fluffymovie

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270200/hb-bulletin-u1-2014.pdf

This gives you the circular we were sent. It does state that the LA has to be satisfied with the evidence.

In my council, we have been lucky and have records back to 1993 when council tax began. It sounds like yours aren't taking the same view.

I would strongly urge you to contact your councillor and mp as suggested

yankee77

Hi Fluffymovie

I am now awaiting proof from where they have the files in Wolverhampton. Council have given me 4th March to reply with proof to them. Would it still be advisable to contact my local mp or councillor; what would I say and how would they be able to help?

So maybe I should send a letter to local MP and explain process at the moment, and that woman at council has given me a deadline date.