Housing benefit query - expenses??

esmy

Hi all, I would welcome any advice ..

I have been trying to assist DD regarding an apparent overpayment of housing benefit and we are struggling to work out why/how the overpayment occurred. On the paperwork provided by the council, there is a figure for 'expenses' which appears to be an amount allowed against her income. This figure dropped significantly from September of last year and the only change we can think of is that her daughter became eligible for the 15 hours paid childcare, hence DDs contribution to her childminder reduced. Is this likely to cause the expenses figure to reduce? (She is employed and claims WTC/CTC)

Thanks in advance

sheramber

Yes, she is paying less so her expenses are less

Alice_Holt

Possibly . An element of child care costs can be set off against the amount of wages earned to reduce the income figures used in the HB calculation.
E.g - http://www.tameside.gov.uk/benefits/childcare

Did your daughter tell the council that her child care costs had reduced?
Did her Tax Credits change in this period? Did she notify the council of all income changes?

To be sure I would clarify "expenses" with the council, and ask for a full breakdown of how the overpayment came about.

esmy

[QUOTE

Did your daughter tell the council that her child care costs had reduced?
Did her Tax Credits change in this period? Did she notify the council of all income changes?

To be sure I would clarify "expenses" with the council, and ask for a full breakdown of how the overpayment came about.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this. Her tax credit payments have varied throughout the period that housing benefit are looking at and no two payments have been for the same amount - they appear to have reduced in November 15 by about £90pm - her wage has stayed the same. I'm not sure what she has told HB about the changes in childcare - she says she tells them everything but I suspect this is related to tax credits.

Despite housing benefits sending some 30 pages of documents covering the period and assorted emails/letters none so far have explained how the overpayment has come about. Benefit has been suspended, just in time for June's rent, so she's gone into debt to pay it. She has also had a Council Tax bill for the full years amount for the property??

She has an appointment next week so hopefully things will become clearer.

Alice_Holt

It may be helpful before the appointment to schedule her income for the period under dispute.
If she has her wages, tax credits etc detailed then she may be able to compare them with the income figures the council have used to calculate HB. (Also itemise the child care costs).

It would also be useful to take proof that she has informed the council of the tax credit amounts.

esmy

Thanks Alice Holt. Unfortunately she's in a panic about it at the moment but I'll try to make sure she's prepared for the appointment