Housing Benefit suspended for a change of circumstance that hasn't changed

oliveoil99

Checked my bank this morning to make sure HB payment had been paid in over the holiday and it hadn't. Rang up to be told it had been suspended due to a change of circumstance they have been informed I will be receiving my state-pension on the 6th July so this caused the change. I said this is not for over another 2 months they said they don't have the software to stop this happening and I will have to reapply again and will take 10 working days. They said they will speak to my landlord to explain the situation if I like. Now I'm really worried this has happened without a change of circumstance what will happen when I do get my state-pension in July will HB stop again?

pmlindyloo

oliveoil99 wrote: »

Checked my bank this morning to make sure HB payment had been paid in over the holiday and it hadn't. Rang up to be told it had been suspended due to a change of circumstance they have been informed I will be receiving my state-pension on the 6th July so this caused the change. I said this is not for over another 2 months they said they don't have the software to stop this happening and I will have to reapply again and will take 10 working days. They said they will speak to my landlord to explain the situation if I like. Now I'm really worried this has happened without a change of circumstance what will happen when I do get my state-pension in July will HB stop again?

I am mystified as to why this has happened in advance.

Perhaps housingbenefitofficer (member of the forum) will be able to explain.

You could try ringing again and asking to speak to a manager/supervisor.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

This is ridiculous. Get them to desuspend the claim and set a diary date to request proof income, capital and household 28 days before the change of circumstances.

Ask to speak to a manager. If your circumstances will remain the same until July ask them to pay your claim based on those circumstances until they change.

Each council will handle administration differently but the aim of Housing Benefit is contribute towards Housing Costs not putting people at risk of rent arrears, homelessness and financial poverty.

fluffymovie

Absolutely agree with HBO - we are only legally entitled to suspend a payment of HB if we have a doubt over your entitlement. At the current time, there is no doubt and so they are not acting in accordance with legislation.

At my LA, mention of taking the matter to a Cllr usually fixes it although I am interested how they have notification this far in advance of a change?

oliveoil99

I have had a call back from HB and the gentleman was lovely said he was very concerned as he knew I was very upset on the phone said my housing benefit, council support should be reinstated in the next 3 days said this should never have happened said because a notification had come through as change of income i.e. state pension my claim had been closed even though it's for 2 months time when I would notified the change of circumstances.
I don't understand why the pension service would know I was on HB/CS to inform them or is this now done automatically. I have no contingency live week to week so this is a big worry for me as the rent is now due so will have to inform LL the rent will be late which will be the first time in over 6yrs a few sleepless nights until this gets sorted. Just shows a blip likes this shows how vunerable your finances are.

anmarj

Do you currently get any benefits? Ie pension credit? If the dwp know you applied for housing then an indicator is set, so then when a change is actioned a report goes to the housing dept at your local authority automatically.

oliveoil99

anmarj wrote: »

Do you currently get any benefits? Ie pension credit? If the dwp know you applied for housing then an indicator is set, so then when a change is actioned a report goes to the housing dept at your local authority automatically.

I just applied over the phone for my state-pension and have received the awards notice starting 6th July 2014 apart from that my circumstancs are just the same.