HB problems. Need lots of support please.

Happychappy

helping_hand2014 wrote: »

hhhhmmmmmm was you not looking for a way to stop working and claim benefit at one time?

Happychappy 28-05-2007, 12:11 PM


Hi,

I am a 51 year old white english male, unfortunately hetrosexual, with no disabilities. I have a mortgage and small amount of savings over £16k.

I have no dependent children other then two 20 year olds at University who I pay out rent for, one is a student nurse with a £4000 per year bursary and is expected to live on that.

I have worked every day since I was 15 and now feel after 36 years of work, I want to spend my time in the garden, going to the pub and getting !!!!ed, with no worries about getting up 6 days a week to go to work.

What benefits can I claim ? A genuine request for info.

I have paid into the system for 36 years and Never drawn any benefit of any description? I feel isolated and marginalised. Am I being discriminated against or can I claim anything in order to fulfil my dreams of sitting at the Red Lion from morning till night like many other fine fellows ?

Absolutely definitely YES please, why can't I jump on the benefits fraudulent gravy train, unfortunately it's the losing of morals, integrity and not wanting to live of the backs of others which has stopped me, but thanks for reminding me of my dreams

[Deleted User]

I did it.
Can't believe it.
I am very scared.
Sent them an email asking for payments to stop immediately and saying that paperwork with the income update will follow shortly.

I might start another thread with other title.

tomtontom

Deleted_User wrote: »

I did it.
Can't believe it.
I am very scared.
Sent them an email asking for payments to stop immediately and saying that paperwork with the income update will follow shortly.

I might start another thread with other title.

Best to stick with one so people know the back story. You can edit the title if you select edit on your first post.

NYM

Deleted_User wrote: »

I did it.
Can't believe it.
I am very scared.
Sent them an email asking for payments to stop immediately and saying that paperwork with the income update will follow shortly.

I might start another thread with other title.

Well done !
It's easy for me to say don't be scared, but try to occupy yourself with getting all the necessary paperwork together. Things may not be half as bad as you think !

You've taken the first step to sorting out your problems...

Poppie68

You have done the scareist part, now you need to insure you are upfront and honest when they call you in. Makesure you provide all proof needed and don't hide anything, your husband is going to be the one in the main firing line though which is unfortunate if he hasn't been made aware of what was going on but it has to be dealt with. Don't automatically think the worst as by you coming forward may of saved you both from much stronger consequences.

Soleil_lune

I am confused as to how you went 3 years without your council re-assessing you. In the county I live in, the council asks everyone in yearly, to show their P60/proof of income/benefits/tax credits etc, and to see the last 3-6 months bank statements, to make sure you are on the correct amount.

My friend was having £300 of her £650 monthly rent paid, as her hubby was on a low-ish income and she was not working, and they had a 10 y.o. child. Several months on, her hubby earned about fifty to seventy quid extra a month, for about 4 - 6 months, because of overtime and bank holidays.

When she was reassessed a year after applying, it turned out that their HB payment should only have been £240 to £270 a month for the last 7-8 months, (because of the extra income,) so she ended up with an overpayment of about four hundred quid!

So they dropped the HB from £300 a month to £250, and then took ANOTHER £80 a month from it, to recoup the overpayment. Meaning her HB was now £170 a month. A drop of £130.

Yet by then, her hubby's overtime had ceased, so they struggled with the big drop. Some may say 'why would they not have saved for those 6+ months of getting extra income AND the higher housing benefit? But life is not quite like that is it?

Housing benefit did not stop while they assessed it: it carried on as it was, until they could reassess. Took about 10 days. They were very pleasant with her, and just said 'you must tell us in future, if there is a hike in income.'

Don't know what the level of your case is, but it's unlikely you will go to jail; especially as you have told them voluntarily. But be prepared for a BIG drop in your benefit, as they will drop the amount and then drop it some more, to recoup what you have been overpaid. You have no choice really. Not telling them, and letting them find out will probably result in the prosecution you fear.

Good luck. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

You will be OK though and stop apologising and trying to explain yourself. We all F- up sometimes.

[Deleted User]

Let me just say that I don't believe for one second that all the people who are committing fraud or are being overpaid will be found out and brought to justice. Not ALL of them. Just a few.

The reason why I voluntarily came forward is not only for the new job (10 hours a week) but because I want to make peace with my finances and I want to live without any worries.

It will be difficult times and I hope me and my H will come out stronger once it is done. Hope he will be more aware of house administration and I will be more organised.

I just want a clean start.

Soleil_lune

Like I said, no need to explain.

Good luck with your fresh start and clean slate.

dippy3103

Well done. You have made the first step.

dippy3103

Deleted_User wrote: »

My fears are prison (either me or my H) or a criminal record.
Or be named and shamed for everyone to see.

One more question:
When they call interviews, can my H and I go together and do we have any say on he date/time? We both have to sort time off and arrange childcare if necessary.

Prison is very unlikely

If you are invited to attend an interview they will send you an appointment but you can ring and rearrange to a mutually convenient time.

As for attending together that really does depend on things like whose name the claim is in etc