Bankruptcy Income Payment Order and loss of Housing Benefit

Chazpots

Just wanted to post the exchange of emails I had with the Secretary of States office on Friday...Sorry it's so long...but all I want is an explanation from them!!

I refer to my correspondence of 14 June 2008. I have attached a further copy for reference. Could you please advise when I can expect to receive a reply from you?

Thank you for your email. It will be a matter for the Department of Work and Pensions to arrange Mr Purnell’s response.

I have been in communication with DWP Ministerial Correspondence Unit. Most recently a letter sent to them on 14 June 2008. I have not received any acknowledgement or reply from DWP or Mr Purnell despite being over 6 weeks now. I emailed the Ministerial Correspondence Unit on Friday asking when I could expect a reply to my letters. I have not received a response.

I find this disappointing and would respectfully ask that Mr Purnell request that the DWP reply to me as a matter of urgency. Additionally, my MP has also written to Mr Purnell and as far as I am aware has not received a response also.

Thank you for your email. I am afraid that I can help no further. It is a matter for the DWP to respond to your and your local MP.

My letter was addressed to Mr Purnell - Would an acknowledgement not have been appropriate? Can Mr Purnell not chase up the DWP. Does Mr Purnell consider it acceptable for the DWP not to bother replying on his behalf?

Perhaps you could provide me with details on how to make a formal complaint about the treatment I have received. Whoever is responsible, 6 weeks is an unacceptable time to wait without a response.

Your own constituency MP can advise you on this.

So you are suggesting I contact my MP to ask why I haven't received a reply from Mr Purnell and the DWP? Additionally, my MP has to advise me on the complaints procedures within DWP? I'm confused.

I have advised you the best I can.

I'm not clear why Mr Purnell is exempt from sending acknowledgements to individuals when they write to him or chasing up responses on their behalf. Even the office of the Prime Minister acknowledges personal correspondence.

Not suprisingly...there was no reply to the last one! So there we have it...an official brush off!!!!:mad:

Chaz

Chazpots

Hello again,

For those of you that remember me and this thread, I thought I would post the outcome of my appeal.

Well I lost.

"The overpayment of HB is recoverable from the appelant. There has been no official error and the amount of the IPA paid monthly to the OR under the NT Coding is not deductable under Regulation 36 (3) Housing Benefit Reg 2006.

The Appelants IPA resulted in a change in personal circumstances and does not fall within Regulation 36(3)."

Oh dear!!! I'm not best pleased! Am now faced with the decision to let it go or appeal further on a point of law. Hum....Torn between trying to bring about a change in the law for others or letting it go for the sake of my family life!

Chaz

skylight

So - the money is either paid to HB for overpayments or to the OR for an IPA? Not both though????

Bummer. Not going to influence at all, I am sure you will do what is right for you.

peachyprice

Really sorry to hear that Chazpots, that really stinks. I can't believe they can get away with it.

Rylynn

I have just sat and read this from start to end, and I am shocked to say the least.

I have no idea how they can even come to these decisions, in effect it means you cannot claim housing benefit due to the OR (an official of the government is he/she not) making your tax code nil and HB people deciding your income has increased. Sorry this is total madness.

Did the OR in your case pay the arrears as they could be included in your BR? or were they incurred after the BR date? It just seemed odd and OR would pay this money back. However that does not help those who like you have said have a whole year of no Housing Benefit and therefore are suffering more hardship.

Time for some rule changes I think. I am not on housing benefit but that does not make me feel any better, it just makes me think that the very people it is there to help are being denied it due to this Nil tax code malarky.

So maybe the rules need to be anyone on housing benefit should not be given a NIL tax code then.

It really shows the whole system of benefits up, no surprise there.

About time this government looked a bit harder at the very people they SAY they are helping, those on benefits and struggling.

Maybe the press would take this up? about time someone did.

You have done amazingly to keep at this, but I can also see that your own family has to come above all else.

I honestly think the tax should be collected at the end of the year from the tax collector, not the individuals, then there would be NO increase in wages showing on anyones pay slips, it would also mean the individual would not be responsible for handing over this money, and that this NEW company employed would not be making mega bucks out of doing it for the OR, as lets face it this company dealing with it are making money out of doing it.. another thing that gets my back up!

RL

AnnesWitterings

Can anyone clarify the point is the Nil Tax Code only for the particular tax year in which you go BR??
OH is about to go BR on Nov 12th will his Nil Tax Code end in March end of 2008/2009 tax year and will he start paying tax again on April 5th in the new 2009/2010 tax year or will he still have a Nil Tax Code for 2009/2010?

Anne

Just added another question what happens to the Tax Money that the OR receives from BR person is it used to pay the creditors?/ the OR fees ???

Anne

deedee_3

His NT code will last till April 4th 2009 and cease on April 5th 2009 unless he changes jobs before then and then it will cease on the job change.

AnnesWitterings

Many thanks Deedee

Thank you for clarifying that point.....

Anne

richardijames

you are all missing ther point that if you choose or need to be made bankrupt and then are required to pay money to a creditor , you cannot expect that money to be disregarded !!
if that was the case then anyone paying a mortgage or loan could argue that the money they earn is not theirs because it goes to a third party !!

so think about that , everyone has to pay their way !!

skylight

So. A troll rakes up a really old thread and neglects to understand the point. Oh, deary me. There's a surprise.

!!!! off and crawl back under your bridge.