Housing Benefit credit question

Pink_Princess_5

I have today received my rent statement and it shows me being in credit £500.

Am I entitled to ask for this money back ? I'm feeling the pinch just after Christmas so it would really come in handy.

Thanks

PP

dmg24

You won't be in credit with HB, as you don't pay them anything.

Do you mean that you are in credit on your rent? If so, are you definitely in credit or is the way that the accounts are presented (i.e. you pay a month in advance)? No harm in a phone call ... x

Pink_Princess_5

It says HB and then £500 lump sum credit

Scarlett1

Is this a council property ? you cant claim for a credit for money that you havnt paid out for in the first place, maybe give housing benefit a ring and ask them why you have a large credit on the statement, they might intend to balance it out by paying less next month.

dmg24

Yep, the only time you can claim any excess is if you are in a Local Housing Allowance pilot area.

Pink_Princess_5

yes, its a council property.

I have only just starting claiming

thanks all so far xx

Fran

Unless this is rent that you paid while waiting for your HBen to come through?

Pink_Princess_5

Fran wrote: »

Unless this is rent that you paid while waiting for your HBen to come through?

so if my housing benefit is backdated, will i be allowed to ask for it back then ?

thanks

seven-day-weekend

Maybe it means that £500 has been credited to your account (i.e., it's the Housing Benefit?).

tanith

If you paid rent for weeks covered by your backdated HB then I imagine the money can be refunded but best to just ring and ask ...

Fran

Pink_Princess wrote: »

so if my housing benefit is backdated, will i be allowed to ask for it back then ?

thanks

I don't see why not if it's been paid twice for the same weeks.