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CKhalvashi

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

Thanks, Tombola. Just one more quick question before you have your nightcap. If they overpay you, can't they just underpay you next time?

Yes, but only with certain deductions.

HB is paid 4 weekly.

See my post above, HBO's post will be correct, but there is no harm in letting them know early, especially if you're going to see huge increase/decrease in earnings in one quarter.

CK

Tombola591

I don't know exactly what happens with an overpayment. But yes, I think you're right and they could just take it off your future benefit payments.

I think they discuss with you how you want to pay it back, i.e. in one lump sum or you pay in instalments (in which case, you'd still get some benefit but with the instalment amount deducted each time until it's paid off).

But you can't just not update them for months and months if your earnings have gone up for a sustained period. That could be viewed as deliberate overpayment. Don't panic btw, you can avoid this by just not leaving it for months if your income does rise (and stays up). But don't worry about not updating every week!

I wouldn't worry too much about all this. You don't need to contact them all the time - just make sure you keep an eye on how your income goes. There's no need to update them all the time and if your income doesn't really change much, you could probably leave it for a year (but maybe update after 4 to 6 months to cover yourself).

Just don't leave it too long if your income goes up and stays up for a longer period (not just one week).

Tombola591

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

Aaaaah, thanks for the sympathy. It's nice to know that a housing benefit officer understands that I don't want you breathing down my !!!!ing neck every 5 minutes.

It's ok though, I'd rather earn my own money thanks.

Right, so someone else has said that you can just tell them whenever you like, but not to leave it too long in case of overpayments. And you're saying that I have to do it the way you've described. I know you're one of "them" so one could maybe assume that you know what you're talking about, but I know from experience that opinions differ widely among those who work for the beast, with some being very uninformed (and talking like they know everything).

So, who should I believe?

Hi Francis

I hope I haven't misled you. Please do bear in mind that I really can't remember exactly how it worked for me. It was around 10 years ago and I didn't claim for long so I'm not sure how often I updated. Also, things might have changed since I was claiming.

But regardless of how often you need to update, don't stress about it! It shouldn't be too stressful or difficult. Once your claim is sorted out, the updating won't be a big deal - just send them the relevant paperwork as and when required. It's actually less stress for you because you'll have the peace of mind that you won't end up owing an overpayment of benefit - so you can just focus on your business and life rather than worrying about that.

I don't know if you can still go in person to the council offices but that's what I did. I just found it easier and quicker than posting things.

Just contact the council and start the claim. They'll let you know what you need to do.And hopefully you won't need to claim for too long - if things go well for you in your new business/self-employed situation.

Wishing you luck with your new venture!

neverdespairgirl

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

I just hate the idea of having to "report to my masters" even while trying to better myself. The thought of that makes me sick. And that's the main thing that I was concerned about, but from the sounds of it, it's alright, not too bad.

If you want to better yourself and not have to report your income to anyone apart from HMRC (which is in the "not optional" life catagory) then don't claim any benefits. No-one in your local benefits office will then take the slightest interest in your earnings at any stage!

Job done.

BusPass_2

Francis


It's easy peasy. If you don't like the rules don't play the game.


If you don't like Ryanair's rules fly with another airline. If you don't like the government's rules find another government OR
ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to let you have the government's cheque book and promise to hand him it back when you are finished with it.

tomtom256

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

Thanks, Tombola. Just one more quick question before you have your nightcap. If they overpay you, can't they just underpay you next time?

In theory, but they could also investigate you for fraud for any overpayments as well.

I thought you wanted to earn your own money?

Can't have it both ways! Oops just fed the troll.

Francis_Rossi

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

If you want to better yourself and not have to report your income to anyone apart from HMRC (which is in the "not optional" life catagory) then don't claim any benefits. No-one in your local benefits office will then take the slightest interest in your earnings at any stage!

Job done.

I didn't say that I don't want to stay in touch with the council. I said that I don't want to have to do it often. There's a huge difference. Maybe I should have said it in all caps for the benefit of those who don't read things carefully.

Francis_Rossi

BusPass wrote: »

Francis


It's easy peasy. If you don't like the rules don't play the game.


If you don't like Ryanair's rules fly with another airline. If you don't like the government's rules find another government OR
ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to let you have the government's cheque book and promise to hand him it back when you are finished with it.

I didn't say that I don't want to stay in touch with the council. I said that I don't want to have to do it often. There's a huge difference. Maybe I should have said it in all caps for the benefit of those who don't read things carefully.

NYM

The simple solution is to look on your local Authority web site and check out the advice for the Self Employed and Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction and what they want from you. ( I believe each area is slightly different )

mro

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

I didn't say that I don't want to stay in touch with the council. I said that I don't want to have to do it often. There's a huge difference. Maybe I should have said it in all caps for the benefit of those who don't read things carefully.

Why are you giving people a hard time ?

Why don't you check with the council, do your own researach & do your own legwork ?