council tax benefit, I suddenly owe £800.

keaton

Each year I update council tax with updated pay slips from my partner around April, so that I get the correct amount nt of council tax benefit, this year as usual I did it, and got the benefit calculation in the post a few weeks later.

Today though I receive a letter from council tax stating I owe just over £800 as hmrc have been in touch to update there records and that I am no longer eligible for council tax benefit, and haven't been since since April. I rang council tax and told them I updated my details back then, they say they never received the pasyslips and it was not updated. And that over £400 is due on the 1st of November and again in december, something I cannot pay.

I told them this and was told to pay what I can and that at some point I would get a court summons, but if I ring up straight away I will not have to go to court but they will give me a longer payment schedule, they say that's the only way they can do this.

Sorry for the long post but is there any way I can appeal this as I did send in the updated stuff , its now my word against there's I suppose.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

fluffymovie

Hi

I am a bit confused - are they saying that HMRC told them your updated earnings (through the new Right Time Information link - see this circular which is for benefit staff but might explain the system a little https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/357989/a15-_2014.pdf )
or that your Tax Credits changed and you weren't entitled?

As with any decision, you should have received notification letters setting out the calculation. If not, then I would ring them now and ask for these - they will set out your right of appeal which you must do. You have 1 calendar month to ask them to look again (a reconsideration) or you can apply to appeal to the Valuation Office directly.

LolStevo

Council benefit offices seem to lose or not receive a lot of information!


You cant pay what you cant have! have you checked your entitlement on entitledto.com? That gives a rough idea if you are entitled?


I had a nightmare with them once I started work after having my children, firstly they never received my payslips, then they never received the copy of them then they never received a letter from my childcare provider. This went on for 10 months them telling me I wasn't entitled to hb or ct reduction so my ct is messed up and now have an AOE! In the end I had a random payment of £900 and told u were entitled to hb but no longer qualify even though my wage is lower!


Iv given up!

chocdonuty

I think the council benefit has changed fairly recently, I only work 17 hours per week but now pay full council tax, whereas before I had council tax benefit to cover some of it.
Handing in payslips yearly isn't the best idea as things can change during a year, I take mine in every couple of months so I'm always up to date.