Does anyone know about the change in law??

wendywitch

I've just received my new notification about my housing benefit and noticed that from October 2008 they weren't counting my CSA when they worked out my benefit.
I phoned the housing benefit department and was basically told that a new law was coming in and they would no longer be counting the CSA when working out the benefit.
Does anyone know anything about this and if so when does it actually come into affect??
I'm having on-going problems with the housing benefit people and any information would be very helpful.

jai_2

Because of the governments policy to end child poverty.... the last budget announced that child benefit would no longer be counted in HB calculations from October 2009. Have not come across anything to suggest CSA would be treated the same. Maybe your local CAB could check the calculations for you, they would know if the local authority is correct in this

jai_2

This might help.........http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7291843.stm

wendywitch

Thanks jai, that shows not including child benefit. I wonder why I was told about the csa. I hope it's not a mistake, it would be a great help plus I really don't need another housing benefit muck up.
Last year when they were working out my benefit they FORGOT to included my csa payments that I told them about and because I didn't read my notification properly and notice they presented me with a bill of over £700 last month!
When I said it was their fault they paid too much I got told they "were only human and made mistakes", I said the same about myself but was told it was still my fault.
Basically it's ok for them to mess up but not for me to?? Who's the professional?? I wash plates for a living not work with peoples money!!

jai_2

Local Authorities are not the best at getting benefits correct to say the least. Its always worth pointing out their error to them in writing. and Keep a copy yourself Its a small safeguard but one that you may have to rely on in the future should a dispute arise

beckybloomwood

I did read somewhere recently that child maintenance is going to be disregarded in full from October 2008 but I've just done a quick search online and can't find anything. I'm sure there'll be more facts available nearer the time.

elizabethsmum2008

i found this on the crewe & nantwich Borough Council benefits calculator

Any maintenance received from a former partner or an absent parent ? Until the end of October 2008, this includes support/maintenance payments for a child unless you (or your partner) are aged 60 or over.

hope that helps