I think Ive been getting too much housing benefit

beautiful_ravens

HI all
I have no idea, but because of my self employed estimates perhaps, or maybe my husbands wages, I feel Ive been getting too much H benefit.
Now that Ive been getting it for some time, Im scared to say anything incase it all gets worked out & looked at again and I have to pay thousands back [I dont have thousands.]
Dont know what to do. What would happen if I just cancelled my housing benefit?

tommix

'Horse, Gate, Bolted'

Long as you're up front with them you should be OK..Better you inform them of the situation rather than they find out.:)

pmlindyloo

beautiful_ravens wrote: »

HI all
I have no idea, but because of my self employed estimates perhaps, or maybe my husbands wages, I feel Ive been getting too much H benefit.
Now that Ive been getting it for some time, Im scared to say anything incase it all gets worked out & looked at again and I have to pay thousands back [I dont have thousands.]
Dont know what to do. What would happen if I just cancelled my housing benefit?

How has the council been dealing with your self employment income? Have they been asking for income and expenditure figures on a regular basis?

Have you recently done your tax return and now know exactly what your income was for 2013/2014?

You could take this in and ask them to do look at your claim again.

Even if you do owe money they will likely deduct it from any future payments of HB or make a payment arrangement.

If you have not given all the correct figures about your partner's income then this needs to be corrected too.

Have you run your figures through a benefit calculator? https://www.turn2us.co.uk

jacques_chirac

If your husband still lets out his flat that needs to be declared also.

beautiful_ravens

pmlindyloo wrote: »

How has the council been dealing with your self employment income? Have they been asking for income and expenditure figures on a regular basis?

Ive sent my info maybe once or twice in 2 years, that is all theyve asked for.

Have you recently done your tax return and now know exactly what your income was for 2013/2014?

I did a tax return for 2012-13 in Jan, but not 13-14

You could take this in and ask them to do look at your claim again.

Even if you do owe money they will likely deduct it from any future payments of HB or make a payment arrangement.

If you have not given all the correct figures about your partner's income then this needs to be corrected too.

His wages went up some time after the original claim but I admit I just waited for the yearly request to 'send us stuff' which hasnt happened this year.

Have you run your figures through a benefit calculator?

I dont know this years figures but they will be a loss at any rate, like last years.

www.turn2us.co.uk

The bit I dont get is how much HB you would get if you earned your estimated wage vs how much you'd get if you made a loss. My tax credits have all gone wrong too, they now want money back. Again, something to do with my estimated earnings vs my actual. I can hardly understand the info in the letter.
Id dont even know what my tax code is or if I actually did my self assessment correctly. Such a mess. I am trying to find an accountant as I can't sort all of this out myself.

pmlindyloo

I think your priority is to get your self assessment tax return done and then you will have all the facts and figures.

I highly recommend getting an accountant. They are (in my opinion) worth their fee. Ask around for recommendations or just do a google for your area or look in your local paper.

Why don't you go to your local council and speak to someone about it? Ask them what evidence they need and then you will at least know what you have to do. They will probably suspend your HB while you collect all the evidence together.

Best to get this sorted as they will no doubt catch up with you.

Caz3121

On your award letter there should be a list of items that you should be informing them of when they happen -

If you have any change in your circumstances that may affect the amount of benefit you receive, you should notify the housing benefit benefit department immediately. If you don't, you could end up being paid too much benefit and having to pay it back.

includes - Changes related to employment and education
You must inform the council If you (or someone living with you):
becomes a student
gets a job or change job
changes hours or gets a pay rise.

Probably worth pulling all your paperwork together and going in to see them. Closing your case will not make an overpayment go away so you would be best to get the amount calculated and make a repayment arrangement

beautiful_ravens

Ok, well Ive phoned the council, told them the amount might be wrong and got them to suspend payments while I get something sorted to send them. And Ive tried to phone a bunch of local accountants who weren't in, so I emailed them all.

Shelldean

If nothing else your husband's pay rise will have affected your claim. When we claimed and OH wages changed I notified the benefit straightaway.