Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Got a letter through this morning saying that my mums housing benefit/council tax claim has been suspended as they need to know if she is still in receipt of child benefit for me (im 20 lol). They also want to know what i have been doing for the last four years ie, employment or education. My mum is getting really panicky about it (nearly christmas struggling for money as it is). The thing i want to know is has this happened to anyone else and what was the outcome. Also any idea what can happen in this scenario. Any help appreciated.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Surely they know that your mum isn't in receipt of child benefit for you. She will have put the relevant information on her claim form which she filled out this year. I would go into the council offices on Broadway first thing Monday morning with the letter and ask for advice. Seems a bit odd this letter arriving just after the Child Benefit fiasco.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Make absolutely certain that you go and sort this out, I have seen people get behind with the rent by default because the council/benefits people got things wrong between them, left the tenants owing amounts they couldn't possibly afford, they were worn out and confused by the end of it, and nearly got evicted, keep an eye on it speedy, seriously, some of these people have a good wage and are nice and cosy in thier semi's, they do not have your best interest at heart these days! Only thier own cushy wellbeing.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Can I just add that at times the left hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand is doing at the council offices. Just make sure your mum gets down to the offices.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Yeah we are going to go down to the office and have a word (my mum will be all nicey nice, i wont lol). The strange thing is they say they have no records of any of my employment or education, the letter was from LCC who strangely enough had me working for them about 6 months ago! Suppose it just goes to show how unorganised they are. Will let you know what happens.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

It really does sound like your mum shouldn't have got the letter. Just try to hold your temper, at the end of the day it sounds like a mix up. Know that is easier said than done sometimes especially when you can't contact them but it is the best advice I can give you. You will get it sorted try not to worry to much!!

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Dont worry i can control my temper, im just better at getting what i want than my mum is in these sort of cases, she will just believe everything they say and nod along, where as i ask questions to find out who messed up how and why.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

I know what you mean but sometimes as I said before each department is not always aware of what the other one is doing.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Why is your mum on housing benefit if you dont mind me asking?

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

thats a bit cheeky yolanda, thats personal info your asking for

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

it is your mums responsibilitey to keep the housing benerfit upto date with any change of cercumstances if she doesnt then she will be liable to pay back any overpayment

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Didnt mean to sound cheeky, what i was wondering if she was like i was then mebbe i was able to help her, that was all

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

You are better off keeping your cool with them other wise you will get nothing because that,s what,s they are like.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Speedy you haven't said whether you still live at home with your mum. What the issue could be is if she has been receiving full housing benefit and you have been living there and part of the time you have been working she should have notified them of this change in circumstances. As an adult non dependant living in the home would mean a deduction in her housing benefit....

sorry if this isn't what you want to hear but it may help you be prepared for when you go to the offices... any questions, just ask :)

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Is that what they are really like?
I thought there was a set of rules that determined what you were entitled to. If you are entitled, then you get it, if not then you don't.

If what HR suggests is the case then your mum may have be claiming illegally. I really do hope that is not the case. Have you seen the TV advert where they say you can be in a recorded interview under caution.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

All sorted out now. All they needed to know was if i was working or not. So all i need to do is take in a letter from the jobcentre to show im not working at the moment. And then when i am back in work just take them a wage slip so they know how much to deduct. Thanks for all your help and have to agree they are really nice in that place.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Glad you got it sorted out Speedy. :)

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

I have to say i was impressed with how quick we got dealt with at the office, got told that you have to wait in there for hours, but we were only there 10mins. Very good service shame other places aint as good as there.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

glad things worked out for you speedy.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

how come u not working at sayers anymore?

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Long story really that one. But the short version is i wasnt enjoying the job any more, so decided to leave as i was offered a warehouse job which was more hours for better money (was told the job was temp till end of january but ended up being just 2days). So at moment just weighing up my options, lots out there i fancy just need to decide what i want.

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

So the horror stories implied above turned out to be just stories then :)

Re: Housing benefit claim suspended?
 

Yeah. I was really impressed with how quick we got seen. Even supermarkets aint that quick.