Scared to claim - don't want flatmates or landlord to find out

ARCOrbit

I'm desperate for some help and advice.

I've been too scared to make a benefit claim because I don't want my landlord to find out but I'm running out of money and don't know what to do.

I live with 2 flatmates. It's a 3-bedroom house and we each have our own bedroom. We're not related and not even friends (we all moved in at separate times).

I've had a health problem for the past 2 years. I haven't been able to work in this time but had some savings (my last job was fairly well-paid).

I'm having treatment for my health problem and my doctor thinks I should be okay to work in the next 2 months. They've given me a sickness note covering 2 months.

I don't know much about ESA but have heard stories of people claiming JSA or ESA having to give details of their flatmates to the benefits office.

I don't know my flatmates very well (we all keep ourselves to ourselves and mostly stay in our bedrooms when we're all in). We don't even get on that well!

So I don't want them to know if I claim benefits. And I don't think they will agree to give their details in any case.

What do I do? Do I have to give their details if I claim benefits. I could give their names but would need to know that they wouldn't find out I've done this.

I don't know what I'll do otherwise. I don't really have any family or friends who can afford to help me.

Also, I've heard terrible stories about ESA. If I'm only claiming it short-term, would I still need to have an assessment? If so, do I get any money whilst waiting for them to give me an assessment?

Finally, from what I understand the council can't contact a landlord without the tenant's permission. So in theory my landlord shouldn't find out if I claim housing benefit. But what if the council ignores this? Even if they say it was a mistake and apologise later, the damage will be done to me.

confuseddaughter_2

ARCOrbit wrote: »

I'm desperate for some help and advice.

I've been too scared to make a benefit claim because I don't want my landlord to find out but I'm running out of money and don't know what to do.

I live with 2 flatmates. It's a 3-bedroom house and we each have our own bedroom. We're not related and not even friends (we all moved in at separate times).

I've had a health problem for the past 2 years. I haven't been able to work in this time but had some savings (my last job was fairly well-paid).

I'm having treatment for my health problem and my doctor thinks I should be okay to work in the next 2 months. They've given me a sickness note covering 2 months.

I don't know much about ESA but have heard stories of people claiming JSA or ESA having to give details of their flatmates to the benefits office.

I don't know my flatmates very well (we all keep ourselves to ourselves and mostly stay in our bedrooms when we're all in). We don't even get on that well!

So I don't want them to know if I claim benefits. And I don't think they will agree to give their details in any case.

What do I do? Do I have to give their details if I claim benefits. I could give their names but would need to know that they wouldn't find out I've done this.

I don't know what I'll do otherwise. I don't really have any family or friends who can afford to help me.

Also, I've heard terrible stories about ESA. If I'm only claiming it short-term, would I still need to have an assessment? If so, do I get any money whilst waiting for them to give me an assessment?

Finally, from what I understand the council can't contact a landlord without the tenant's permission. So in theory my landlord shouldn't find out if I claim housing benefit. But what if the council ignores this? Even if they say it was a mistake and apologise later, the damage will be done to me.

It is most unlikely that you would have the assessment within the first 2 months. You could claim and after 2 months drop off it before they reach the assessment stage.

Indie_Kid

You only need to give details of your flatmates if you're in a relationship with any of them.

ARCOrbit

Thank you so much for your replies. I feel a bit more reassured about things.

I know I'm probably stressing too much and if I had to tell my flatmates, I would - but because we don't really hang out with each-other, I'm embarassed to tell them.

Mrs_Ryan

I'm on ESA and they've never asked me about my partner if I remember rightly. They know I have one but they haven't asked me about him.

dippy3103

ARCOrbit wrote: »

Thank you so much for your replies. I feel a bit more reassured about things.

I know I'm probably stressing too much and if I had to tell my flatmates, I would - but because we don't really hang out with each-other, I'm embarassed to tell them.

Why so embarrassed? The reason we have a safety net is it can happen to anyone of us at anytime. You will probably have paid far far more than you will ever claim.

Honestly, I have worked in benefits for years and years and there are people from every walk of life that require a short term hand.

Wishing you a speedy return to full health.

dibdabable

Unless you tell them there's no need for anyone to know what you are claiming. You won't be asked to give details about people living in the same house as you as you're each responsible for renting etc. Your money will be paid directly to your account so again no one will know.
So don't delay you've already been living off your own savings and now quite rightly you are looking for help when you need it, so no need to be scared or ashamed. Good luck.

confuseddaughter_2

dippy3103 wrote: »

Why so embarrassed? The reason we have a safety net is it can happen to anyone of us at anytime. You will probably have paid far far more than you will ever claim.

Honestly, I have worked in benefits for years and years and there are people from every walk of life that require a short term hand.

Wishing you a speedy return to full health.

Unfortunately there are many that will not apply for benefits for one reason or another. Be it perceived shame, pride or simple ignorance. There are many that are living in abject poverty because they do not claim what they are rightfully entitled to. Hence the reason why Mr Osbourne rubs his little hands together every month when the unclaimed money is given back to him to spend on a 'more worthy cause'. There are literally millions every year that go back to the government's bank.
The problem as I see it is that claiming a benefit today is seen as something 'dirty' and 'shameful'. You won't find the government putting out adverts to persuade people to claim what is due to them.
Some just simply slip into poverty and nobody cares as long as they do it quietly and out of the public gaze.
However there are those that will take what they can when they can however they can. Who is right, who is wrong?


This government's legacy, if it has one, is that they have turned the safety net into the 'poor house' - and nobody wanted to go there in the past, they would sooner starve.

skintmacflint

You can always rely on Andy to hijack what was a helpful thread for a genuine person with his typical twisted bitter outlook.

ARCOrbit

Thank you again to everyone who's replied. I appreciate all your advice.

I don't know if I'm being silly but just can't help feeling ashamed. I think particularly with my flatmates because we're not friends living together - we don't know each-other that well (we all moved in at different times when spare rooms came up).

I suppose I'm also worried that if my flatmates find out, one of them will tell the landlord and I don't know if he'll want someone on benefits living here. The lease is due for renewal soon and I don't want to risk him refusing to renew my tenancy.

Hopefully they won't find out. I'm probably being paranoid but keep worrying that the benefits people will write to one or both of my flatmates if I put their names on the form. I suppose if that happens, I'll just have to explain to my flatmates that my health issues should only be temporary.

I'm also panicking because I keep hearing all these nightmare stories about sickness benefits in the media - and am scared to fill in the form in case I fill it in wrong, i.e. don't explain things properly and they turn down my claim. I have a doctor's note and proof of hospital appointments so guess things should be okay? It's just I keep hearing how they try their best to turn people down and/or lose forms, have admin problems, etc, etc.

Morglin

For ESA, you only need give details of yourself and what your illness is.

Assessments are taking ages, at the moment, and you will be paid the assessment rate, while you wait, subject to sending in fit notes.

Hounding Benefit do not notify your landlord, and you don't have to, legally, any more, but they will need to see your tenancy agreement.

Neither departments are allowed yo discuss your case with your flat mates, or your landlord.

So, go ahead and claim.

If you are not cure about the claim form, then make an appointment at the CAB, or google up 'welfare rights' for your area.

Send as much medical evidence back with the form as you can.

Lin