Help please...... a few things re benefits.....

missk249

I have been getting £9 per week decucted from my Income Support for council tax overpayment. In april this is going up to £12.05 a week, and as I am only recieving £75 a week benefit, I feel this is way too much. I have read on the interenet somewhere (cant remember where tho) that it is only £3 a week Max they can take if you are on Income Support and have no other income. is this correct and what should I do?

Situation is even worse now that I have to live on my own and pay all bills, council tax, debts etc, after everything is paid out, I have nothing left to buy clothes or food, or heat the house! To make things worse, I was refused DLA after appeal as I am "NOT ILL and TOO HEAVY to not be eating and taking care of myself" (Oh and I shouldnt have crutches as no one with a bad back gets crutches!!!!! and my GP is the biggest liar in the world according to the appeal pannel) yeah right, but wont go into that now as I am depressed enough as it is. ( I suffer from depression, dysthymia and back pain, asthma and eczema)

So, basically, is there any other help at all I can get (heard a community care grant mentioned, and as I now live on my own, because my mother died, can I apply for this to live independantly?) or anything else I can do to help this situation. I am now even worse after the result of losing the DLA appeal and feel as if I cant go on.

So many people who put on their illnesses are getting benefit, yet many of us genuine sufferers are struggling and begging to be given help we need, I am at my wits end with it all.

So thanks for listening to me rattling on and getting this off my chest, and I do hope some of you can help me.

dmg24

Hi missk249,

£9 is the standard amount for a deduction from benefits (edit: EE is right, it is £3 for CTB and £9 for HB). Were you definitely overpaid?

A Community Care Grant does not appear to be suitable for your situation. There is more information on the different types of funding available from the Social Fund here, but I can't see that any would be applicable.

I'm sorry that you are having such a bad time at the moment, I really hope things get better for you soon. The Depression Support Thread is well worth a read, or a post if you feel up to it, you'll always find a friendly ear there x

Eager_Elephant

Hi missk49

Deductions for non-payment of Council Tax are £3.00 per week (before 31/3/08) and then rises every year.

Deductions for overpaid Housing Benefit are currently £9.00 per week or more if it was caused by a fraudulent claim.

Altenatively deductions for Crisis Loans, overpaid IS (or other benefits) are whatever rate they feel like.

You need to contact the Deductions department and find out exactly what is being taken, if it is Council Tax deductions this is non negotiable but the rest are, you need to send in an income and expenditure and a letter and they should reduce it for you.

HTH

EE

missk249

thanks, I was technically overpaid, as I did not renew my claim, I was unemployed, and didnt inform them and renew the claim. This was for Council Tax, not Housing, so I am confused as to why I am paying £9 a week. I really do not know what to do anymore, but will contact them again and send in the income and expenditure form again to them and see if it helps.

allen35

Hi Miss K

Sorry to hear about all your problems at present.

I feel you need an appointment down at your local CAB to sort out all your issues.
DMG is right regarding the CCG but if you need help to buy certain items that would ease exceptional pressure on the family there would be a case if say a washing m/c broke down or mattress too old, an upright chair for your back, flooring to replace old carpets(asthma). Easing exceptional pressure is not explained in the law so you could try.

Re-apply for DLA and by the sound of it your GP is supportive so maybe ask him to fill in the other info or write a letter to send with your application pack, do you see anyone for depression or go to pain management for pain. Is asthma severe and do you see anyone, these would all be supportive, if you can get help before you send off claim, there possibly would be no need to appeal. The main thing is though getting the answers right and 99% of posters would tell you to seek help from a CAB or alike.

Your council tax, in my area is paid back through IS @ a rate of £2.90 pw but again seek help as you may have a claim based on mental health problems to get your claim backdated 12 months with good reason but i surmise this problem goes back a few years but take everything to the Citizens Advice Centre or phone them and ask for outreach visit if too stressful. try calling for a claim pack tomorrow(08457 123456) and your new claim will go from the date you request it but get HELP!! filling it out.

Good luck and take care.

destiny_star2006

i am paying back hb overpayment and the minimum for me is £3 per week and this was told to me via the hb office when i rang and said i just could not afford to pay and she said well the least we can take from you is 3 per week so im not sure why others are getting the 9 per week minimum

Eager_Elephant

If you have a HB overpayment it can be taken back in 2 different ways.

Firstly if you are still receiving HB then this amount will be reduced by the guideline amount which is £9.00 (up until 31/3/08) but if you are facing financial hardship this can be reduced

or

The second way is to have it taken directly from benefits in payment via DWP.

Again the same rate applies but you can ask for lower payments if in financial difficulty.

EE

allen35

Nice one Elephant i thought local authority reduced HB by £9 full stop unless a letter claiming hardship that would cause for example arrears and risk of eviction. I am unaware you can ask for arrears to be passed onto DWP and then negotiate to £3

Eager_Elephant

Maybe I should add that HB Overpayments are normally only taken from other DWP benefits if say you have left the area or don't receive HB but still get say IB or DLA.etc.

Most HBOP departments are happy to reduce the amount of 'clawback', just send in a nice letter.

EE