panic over housing benefit visit !

mardatha

We have claimed HB for 6 -7 months as my husband was on SSP and is on now on pension credit. Today we got a letter fr the local council saying they were conducting a review of our claim and a housing visitor was coming out next week. Is this usual practice or do they think we're up to something?
:eek:

mardatha

Please Somebody Answer Before My Husband Cracks Up !

alwaysonthego_2

I think it is normal part of their review procedure just to check that everything is normal, if you haven't got anything to hide then there is no need to worry.

Legally, I don't think you have to let them in your home but I really wouldn't panic

Kazzajr

I recently had a HB review it just involves the person filling out a renewal claim form and recording any changes or noting no changes if this is the case. As previously mentioned it is nothing to worry about although I spent the day before the visit going round my house making sure it was tidy however this was not necessary since she didn't even go into any other rooms.

seven-day-weekend

My son had two visits while he was on Council Tax Benefit, it was just to make sure his circumstances hadn't changed (and I think to check that he actually lived where he said he did).

Perfectly standard and nothing to worry about. I think they have to visit once a year.

heatherw_01

This is normal procedure, if you have nothing to hide then there is no need to worry

[Deleted User]

This is quite routine,they supposably have to do this to all claimants at least once a year,but in practice lack of staff makes that unlikely,I assume the letter gave you a list of things they will want to see(bank statements etc)make sure you have everything they have asked for,and has already been said if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to worry about.

mardatha

phew! ok ty

yvonneem_2

Hi there, I had a review whilst claiming housing benefit and like yourself I thought they were hunting for something. The only thing she did do was take close up photographs of my bank statements going back I think 4 months. Nothing to worry about so long as you don't have too much in. Ha .
You'll be ok I'm sure

Tribulation

When I claimed council tax benefit they wanted to see my bank statements and as I had recently sold 15 old CD's on ebay, and these showed up on my bank statement, I also had to show them that I wasn't a regular seller and was just selling a few old things I no longer used. But it was no real problem.

According to the guy, I was his 4th that day and the preceding 3 all had more income/savings than they were declaring.

mardatha

I dont have any bank statements, need to get them. I will wait until am asked. TY all x