Housing Benefit worries

cifpower

I am currently in receipt of IB, IS, DLA LRM and MRC. Moved out of my last property due to a serious breakdown in relations with my flatmate which was making my mental health worse.

My new property is £425 a month which works out as £98.08 a week. I was awarded £62 a week Housing Benefit. This leaves a shortfall of £36.08 a week or £156.35 a month.

I appealed the decision thinking it was too low but it stayed the same. They also invited me to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment which I have. That will not be decided for a few weeks.

This morning I received a letter saying my claim has been sent to The Appeals Service where an independent tribunal will look at it. I never asked for this and now I am worried! What does this entail and does anyone have any idea what will happen when I get there?

I telephoned Housing Rights this morning but they don't deal with Housing Benefit (bizzarely) but they advised me to got to CAB. They have a drop in this afternoon from 1430.

Morglin

Then, do that.

If you need any further help, then SHELTER are great with housing advice:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/home/index.cfm

Lin

cifpower

Morglin wrote: »

Then, do that.

If you need any further help, then SHELTER are great with housing advice:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/home/index.cfm

Lin

I phoned the Northern Ireland team this morning and was told by an advisor that they don't deal with HB - just housing.

cifpower

Back from CAB and I think I understand.

My property is a new development but the people who set the reference rents, the Valuation and Lands Agency, will not review my property. They will only do so if a row of houses are developed and not just a building with 6 flats in it. As a result, the HB team have appealed to The Appeals Board but this may take a few months.

2 bedroom council houses have a rent of around £60 a week in my area which is why I only receive £62 a week for my flat. Bizarrely, if I took a 1 bedroom flat I would have got more HB even though the rent was higher.

I applied for a Discretionary Payment and the HB manager told the CAB adviser that the lowest amount they are awarding is £7.50 a week and the highest is £10 a week. It will be a few weeks, however, for a decision to be made.

The CAB just called it a waiting game.

puligan

Hi
I get £15pw and have just applied for an increase as my rent has just gone up from £450 to £525 and HB give me £300.

When you get Disc HB it is usually for 3-6 months but don't panic, just reapply afew weeks before it expires.

cifpower

puligan wrote: »

Hi
I get £15pw and have just applied for an increase as my rent has just gone up from £450 to £525 and HB give me £300.

When you get Disc HB it is usually for 3-6 months but don't panic, just reapply afew weeks before it expires.

Was told that renewals are set at £5 per week here