Just had a near death experience......Housing benefit

greybuffalo

You remember last year,they upped the minimum hours a family had to work,from 16 to 24......
Well,I upped the hours and forgot to inform the Council,as I mistakenly thought through GCHQ & the super snooping/spying,they shared all the info with the child benefit & Tax credit people.
Anyway,the beginning of last month,they asked to see bank statements.
So our earned income increased from £430 to £630 due to the increased hours.
So a few weeks ago we where informed we had been overpaid on the Housing benefit,
It was that £200 extra we earned,we now owe that to the council (£2400),which they are now deducting £63 a month off our housing benefit.
Also before we where getting a subsidy of £55 on our council tax, we were only paying £33pm,now its gone up to the full £88 pm and they took out of our bank account the £55 x 12 months £700 + (lucky our overdraught could absorb that)
We are a couple with a child under 16,which leaves us up s**t creek.
Does that sound right :question:

lemontart

do not think they are supposed to take in one go

pmlindyloo

This sounds very unusual.

When there is a council tax overpayment there is a process that is followed by the local council.

For example:

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_tax/recovery_process_and_faqs.aspx

It would help if you could tell us exactly what action was taken. Did you receive any letters? Was a liability order granted? Were bailiffs involved? Did you make arrangements to pay this?

greybuffalo

They did mention,that I could appeal if the payment was unsuitable,but I only noticed that afterwards,but
The point I was making that,every extra I earned was taken away with the other hand and we landed up way worse off

sammyjammy

Why did you not query the fact that your housing benefit didn't reduce when your hours and pay went up?

greybuffalo

tHATS A POINT,BUT TO LOSE £200 WHEN YOU MAKE AN EXTRA £200...well and then having to pay full council tax on top of that........its hard:eek:

pmlindyloo

Why don't you put your details into the benefit calculator here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

to check what you are entitled to?

£$*()&"$(*$&

I currently live with my mother, my father sadly died a few weeks ago and after phoning the "Tell me once" service their housing and council tax benefits has been cancelled and my mother has to go through the process of claiming again (yes, at a time we could do without this).


My question is how much information about my savings do I have to disclose? Someone told us that ISA's don't have to be disclosed, is this right? Does anyone know where I can find the official word?

pmlindyloo

librarian16 wrote: »

I currently live with my mother, my father sadly died a few weeks ago and after phoning the "Tell me once" service their housing and council tax benefits has been cancelled and my mother has to go through the process of claiming again (yes, at a time we could do without this).


My question is how much information about my savings do I have to disclose? Someone told us that ISA's don't have to be disclosed, is this right? Does anyone know where I can find the official word?

I am sorry for your loss.

As you are living with your mum you are classed as a non dependant.

Your mum's HB and CT reduction will be reduced because you are living with her and presumed to be contributing towards the household expenses.

There are set amounts deducted according to what you earn. Your savings are irrelevant and do not have to be declared.

There are some exceptions where non dependant deductions are not made.

Have a read of this for more information:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500180/housing_benefit/4285/adults_non-dependants_who_live_with_you_may_affect_your_housing_benefit_and_council_tax_support

The HB non dependent deductions are national. CT deductions may vary from council to council so you need to find out what they are in your local authority. Google your local authority + HB and CT and non dependants.

Nada666

greybuffalo wrote: »

tHATS A POINT,BUT TO LOSE £200 WHEN YOU MAKE AN EXTRA £200...well and then having to pay full council tax on top of that........its hard:eek:

Why would you expect anything else?

If this is a surprise to you then it suggests you were sticking to working only 16 hours for quite a long time. At no point (when it wasn't obligatory) did you mange to find an extra shift or two or opportunity to work longer? Bit suspicious, that. If you live by the minimising work/maximising benefits sword don't be surprised when you fumble and it nicks you.

ampersand

librarian16 wrote: »

I currently live with my mother, my father sadly died a few weeks ago and after phoning the "Tell me once" service their housing and council tax benefits has been cancelled and my mother has to go through the process of claiming again (yes, at a time we could do without this).


My question is how much information about my savings do I have to disclose? Someone told us that ISA's don't have to be disclosed, is this right? Does anyone know where I can find the official word?

#
librarian - you need to start a separate thread for your own enquiy - keeps things straight for you and op.