Housing benefit

jamie.carrington

Hi guys, new to the site and need some advice.

I was unemployed for sometime but 3 months ago i found a full time career, i now work 40 hours a week but earn a measly 11000 a year. my partner and i live together with our 2 children aged 6 and 3 in a tiny one bedroom flat in london, we re-applied for housing benefit and notified all the correct parties of my new found employment. success our housing benefit claim was accepted and we were even told we could apply for tax credits because of my low income, all were applied for and accepted successfuly, we recieved countless letters confirming the claims were now in place, telling us how much we would be getting and when, and what we would have to pay to top up our rent, great! no, a month later we recieve countless more letters, one contradicting the other, we were entitled to housing benefit, then the claim stopped we were no longer entitled, then another letter telling us we are still getting housing benefit but no council tax reduction, then another telling us we can have neither, now i have been told this morning that we may no longer be entitled to tax credits either.

has anybody else experienced this ? what do i do ? am i entitled to anything or not ? the stress is driving me mad, i have just cleared my rent arrears after struggling for 5 years to keep it up, left us with bare minimal to pay it, only to be told that i am now in arrears again because the housing benefit was stopped prior to us being made aware.

really hope someone can help us out here, i have no idea what to do...

sorry the message is so long just need help lol

thanks
Jamie.

Morglin

Housing Benefit departments are notoriously inept.

Put all your details into the calculator at: "Turn2us site", and it's usually spot on.

Then, once you know, you can argue it with the relevant departments.

Lin

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Probably 4 weeks Extended Payment Benefit

Probably still qualified with wages but then disqualified when Tax Credits awarded.

You will need to post details from your benefit notifications of income used.

McKneff

You haven't mentioned how much your partner earns..... some benefits take household income into account.

19lottie82

jamie.carrington wrote: »

I was unemployed for sometime but 3 months ago i found a full time career, i now work 40 hours a week but earn a measly 11000 a year.

That's only £5.28 an hour....... less than NMW?

jamie.carrington

19lottie82 wrote: »

That's only £5.28 an hour....... less than NMW?

sorry thats 11000 a year after tax and ni deductions. in response to previous no partner does not work as she is a full time mum,

thanks for all the advice guys

tomtontom

jamie.carrington wrote: »

sorry thats 11000 a year after tax and ni deductions. in response to previous no partner does not work as she is a full time mum,

thanks for all the advice guys

Given how much you are struggling perhaps she should look for work? It seems unrealistic to expect to survive on your income alone.