Council Tax Benefit

Jo_F

Hi all, just a quick one.

As a result of my abysmal level of income, I am the year in receipt of Council Tax Benefit.

This week I have received a letter telling me that they want to send a Visiting Officer round tomorrow to check that I am getting the correct level of benefit. (and I need to dig out all the proof of income, savings and such like).

Now I am not trying to hide anything, but I am not happy with the thought of people just making themselves appointments to come to my house (added to that the dog does his nut if there is someone even at the door that he doesn't know).

Do I have to let them in, or can I phone and say not convenient and send them the paperwork to back up my claim? Do they have any rights/legislation to back up the visit?

any help appreciated, thank you

moneysaver12

Im on housing benfit and last year i took the paper work in to the office in town, and they sent it off, this year i had someone come to my house, and i didn't like it espcially as i forgot and was in my dressing gown and i felt looked down on too, so next year i will be telling them that i want to go to the office and bring the paper work in, i would call them and ask if you can take the paper work in to a office, i understand what you mean about them coming to your house, its not nice

dmg24

I had a Compliance Officer turn up at my door, and he was one of the most horrid people I had ever met (as well as stinking of cigarettes - it was so bad he might as well have been smoking in front of me). They sent him even though they had been made aware by my doctor that I was agoraphobic.

Since then, I have contacted the council and told them that if they send someone out again I shall refuse entry. I have never withheld information from them, and was given the distinct impression that he thought that I had.

If you don't want them there, give them a call and tell them that you are more than happy to send in the information, or visit their offices, but that you do not want someone coming out to your house. If this is not acceptable to them, ask them what statutory power they have to enter your home (I don't honestly know if they have that power or not, but I doubt that they do).

Let us know how you get on x

dmg24

Just to add, I felt that the Officer's 'casual chat' was probing into my private life. I was not surprised when, a few days letter, I received a letter from them asking me to sign a form to say that I was still living on my own (I was). When I asked about it, they insisted it was nothing to do with the visit, but the timing was a bit too much of a coincidence for me.

Coupon-mad

dmg24 wrote: »

Just to add, I felt that the Officer's 'casual chat' was probing into my private life. I was not surprised when, a few days letter, I received a letter from them asking me to sign a form to say that I was still living on my own (I was). When I asked about it, they insisted it was nothing to do with the visit, but the timing was a bit too much of a coincidence for me.[/quote]


I agree, it sounds like he was really snooping for evidence that anyone else lives at the house & wasn't sure, so they sent you the form so they can use it in evidence later if you are found to be co-habiting....it's just like 'Big Brother is watching you' isn't it?

Jo_F

I phoned to tell them it wasn't convenient and all they could say was that I had to rechedule another visit, I asked why my sending them all the info wasn't good enough and they told me that 'it is now Government legislation that we have to visit all claimants in their home'

dmg24

Jo_F wrote: »

I phoned to tell them it wasn't convenient and all they could say was that I had to rechedule another visit, I asked why my sending them all the info wasn't good enough and they told me that 'it is now Government legislation that we have to visit all claimants in their home'

Can you ask them exactly what the legislation is? x

minimadtrix

The visit is a 'Good Practice Guide' developed by the DWP. It is designed to stop fraudulent and incorrect claim, because some people don't declare their true financial circumstances - either deliberately or by mistake.

So you have a visit for one of 2 reasons:-

1. To stamp out fraudulent claims
2. To make sure you're getting the right amount of benefit.

It makes sure that those that are entitled to the benefit get what they deserve.

One of the reasons for the home visit it to confirm you are resident where you are getting the benefit for.

At the end of the day, if you want the benefit, you've got to accept that if they want to come round and check your details, you'll have to let them. If you don't, your benefit will stop!!

jdeerfc1

Jo_F wrote: »

Hi all, just a quick one.

As a result of my abysmal level of income, I am the year in receipt of Council Tax Benefit.

This week I have received a letter telling me that they want to send a Visiting Officer round tomorrow to check that I am getting the correct level of benefit. (and I need to dig out all the proof of income, savings and such like).

Now I am not trying to hide anything, but I am not happy with the thought of people just making themselves appointments to come to my house (added to that the dog does his nut if there is someone even at the door that he doesn't know).

Do I have to let them in, or can I phone and say not convenient and send them the paperwork to back up my claim? Do they have any rights/legislation to back up the visit?

any help appreciated, thank you

You are lucky the man just turned up and demanded all the relevant paper work( If i couldnt give him all the information there and then,i would have to produce it at the neighbourhood office within 7 days ) well as i am disabled and most of my paper work was up stairs, i was up and down on my stairlift for a couple of hours, the most arrogant person that i have ever had the misfurtune to meet. i questioned why i had not been informed he was coming he said that they just pick people at random and dont have to make prior arangments, how frightening this would be to some elderly people

minimadtrix

Yep, they can do that as well jdeerfc1 - it's called an unnotified visit. However, if it was not convenient for you, you can tell them so and they have to leave you a letter so that you can make a more suitable appointment.

dmg24

minimadtrix wrote: »

The visit is a 'Good Practice Guide' developed by the DWP. It is designed to stop fraudulent and incorrect claim, because some people don't declare their true financial circumstances - either deliberately or by mistake.

So you have a visit for one of 2 reasons:-

1. To stamp out fraudulent claims
2. To make sure you're getting the right amount of benefit.

It makes sure that those that are entitled to the benefit get what they deserve.

One of the reasons for the home visit it to confirm you are resident where you are getting the benefit for.

At the end of the day, if you want the benefit, you've got to accept that if they want to come round and check your details, you'll have to let them. If you don't, your benefit will stop!!

All because it is part of a 'Good Practice Guide', that does not make it a legal requirement. Is there actual statute that makes the home visit a requirement?

jdeerfc1, sounds like you live near me! x