Newly BR, no IPA given (phew) but now my benefits have increased due to COVID :-/

15 Posts

Hi everyone
Well I finally took the plunge and was declared BR last week. I had my OR Interview on Monday and no IPA was given which I was very relieved about. My income is made up of a full time salary which is topped up by benefits. However, yesterday less than 24 hours after my interview I got a letter saying due to COVID my housing benefit has been 'temporarily' increased. I am certain that this increase will mean I will now have to enter into an IPA which is what I desperately wanted to avoid. I called the council to ask how long this increase will be for and they didn't know. I don't want to sound ungrateful, on the contrary I am EXTREMELY grateful for all the benefits I get (child/working tax credits & Housing benefit as a single parent) but I was so relieved when I put the phone down and now I feel stressed all over again :-( The increase is roughly £40 per week which is quite substantial really so I am guessing this will go into an IPA for as long as the increase remains. I'm not sure how short an IPA can be if this increase is only for a few months?
No idea if anyone can help, think I just need some reassurance, been up for most of the night fretting!
Thank you
Holly
Well I finally took the plunge and was declared BR last week. I had my OR Interview on Monday and no IPA was given which I was very relieved about. My income is made up of a full time salary which is topped up by benefits. However, yesterday less than 24 hours after my interview I got a letter saying due to COVID my housing benefit has been 'temporarily' increased. I am certain that this increase will mean I will now have to enter into an IPA which is what I desperately wanted to avoid. I called the council to ask how long this increase will be for and they didn't know. I don't want to sound ungrateful, on the contrary I am EXTREMELY grateful for all the benefits I get (child/working tax credits & Housing benefit as a single parent) but I was so relieved when I put the phone down and now I feel stressed all over again :-( The increase is roughly £40 per week which is quite substantial really so I am guessing this will go into an IPA for as long as the increase remains. I'm not sure how short an IPA can be if this increase is only for a few months?
No idea if anyone can help, think I just need some reassurance, been up for most of the night fretting!
Thank you
Holly
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