HB Terminated because I don't have a bank account!???

Lucindi

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone knew a way I could deal with massive housing benefit problems.

I moved house on 18th of November last year into a housing association. Until the 19th of March (yes, last week) the change in my claim and even my change of address was still pending in the system.

Apparently they sent me a letter informing me that my claim had been suspended but due to the pending change of address I never received said letter. The letter informed me that I had to provide 3 months worth of bank statements as I had stopped claiming JSA at the sime time as I moved. (this was for a personal reason - not due to gaining employment.)I called on numerous occassions to ask what was going on, as my housing association had informed me they hadn't received rent. On these calls I was told my application was pending BUT NOT that my claim had been suspended?

I found out in February that it had been suspended and they told me they were waiting for my bank statements. I don't have a bank account so told them that this was impossible. They told me to put my situation in writing, which I did and they said there was nothing else they needed.

Now I have received a letter to inform me that not only has my claim been terminated but that they also overpaid me for 1 month before I moved?!???

Now I am in 5 months arrears with rent and going to be made homeless. Does anyone have any idea what I can do to appeal this?

How do I prove that I can't provide bank statements as I don't have a bank account?!

tomterm8

Lucindi wrote: »

Hello all,
...
How do I prove that I can't provide bank statements as I don't have a bank account?!

If I were you I'd probably write a letter to your MP asking for help on this.

Maybe the citizens advice bureau too, and your councilor.

Legally speaking, a simple statement of truth or affidavit ought to be enough, since these are both documents that a court would accept as evidence in the event of a trial with significant legal penalties if you falsify them. http://cms.bwbllp.com/Files/Publications/guide_to_statements.pdf

tomtontom

Have you explained to them what income you are living off?

pmlindyloo

Are you saying that you deal only with cash?

How was your Job seekers Allowance paid?

tomterm8

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Are you saying that you deal only with cash?

How was your Job seekers Allowance paid?

You can get Job Seekers Allowance paid into someone else's account, or the simple payment scheme if you don't have a bank account. Not everyone can get them.

BigAunty

I can't answer your question but I do want to flag up that in the future, there is a proposal that social housing tenants will receive their housing benefit directly instead of the landlord. You will need to get a bank account if Universal Credit does get rolled out in the next few years. Direct payments of HB to social housing tenants are being piloted now. More info here

http://www.housing.org.uk/policy/welfare-reform/universal-credit/direct-payments-to-tenants

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/228925/direct-payment-demo-figures-may-2013.pdf

Even if you have credit/debt issues, you should be able to get a basic bank account.

MidnightHour

Halifax do a basic bank account, i believe most banks do and have to offer them nowadays.

Lucindi

I haven't been able to get a bank account until now as this is the first time i've had a proof of address.
My JSA was paid into someone else's account and unfortunately that person passed away in December so I have no access to his statements either?
I explained to the people at the office that I had been being supported by friends through the bereavement. Not in writing though as they never asked?

MidnightHour

You need to get the form to appeal, from what you have said you should win, and any benefit be back dated.

You should be able to get proof of any earnings/ non earnings through tax man.

Lucindi

That's a great idea. Does anyone know how you get this proof from the taxman by any chance??

pmlindyloo

You should set up a bank account/post office account now and apply for JSA. You can do a rapid reclaim as detailed here:

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/how-to-claim

This will at least get the ball rolling as far as the future. Income based JSA will give you automatic entitlement to HB and CT support.

You need to appeal your HB decision.

I can understand why they have stopped your HB as they do need proof/evidence of income and savings.

You are probably going to encounter problems with your JSA claim too so am wondering if you got the sworn affidavit or statement of proof this might help for both. Why don't you telephone the council housing benefit department/Job Centre Plus first and ask if this would help? You may need to speak to a supervisor/manager in the department as this is an unusual situation. Also Job Cnetre Plus might come up with some ideas which you could use for HB.

CAB/MP, as already suggested, would also be my recommendation.