Thanks everyone, I think your best wishes for me worked today The bailiffs didn't turn up to the hearing, but a solicitor from the council did. She asked to speak with me prior to the hearing so we had a chat and I gave her a copy of my 'statement' to read. She seemed quite shocked when I told her the debt stands at 7K as, from their point of view, I now only owe 4K having paid over 3K off the loan already. It also became apparent that the bailiffs DIDN'T pass my income and expenditure form to the council (they're adamant I didn't send them one even though I did) and apparently the payments being made had not been AGREED WITH THE COUNCIL either. All in all, it seems as the bailiffs have basically done everything in their power to ensure that the car was taken to be sold towards the debt (or should that be towards their own fees??!!!) The lady from the council was absolutely lovely though - I explained that I'm not trying to wriggle out of paying for the debt, that I've literally not been in a strong enough position (financially, emotionally, health wise) to deal with it but that I'm finally starting to climb out of the 'hole' I've been in and I think she genuinely understood this and realised I was being honest with her. At the hearing, the judge was absolutely lovely. He acknowledged that I'd had some very unfortunate circumstances in the past couple of years and also acknowledged that I was doing my best to sort things out. The upshot was that he adjourned the hearing - allowing the stay of the writ to remain in place. He asked the lady from the council and myself to speak with each other to come to an agreeable solution within the next 28 days so I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that this may yet have a good outcome We've agreed that I'll complete an inc/exp form directly from the council and make an offer to pay the debt which will hopefully see the car returned and the debt being paid again. I think this is what it means anyway........ as the bailiffs will sell the car for such a miniscule amount that it won't even take a decent chunk out of the debt. All in all though, I'm feeling a lot more positive than I have done for the last few weeks - and I want to thank you all for the support that you've given me. I honestly would have just let this go without question if I hadn't have had CAG to turn to. Thank God this site exists! Hedgey xxxxxx

It's perfectly normal in this situation. The purpose of the visit is for them to establish how long their relationship has been a "partnership" and to perform a check of their benefit entitlement with the change of circumstances; now they are a couple, the amount they can claim may increase or decrease, depending on their pooled income and capital. Your mother declared him living there from the start so she hasn't done anything wrong, she's been completely upfront about the matter from the beginning, long before they decided they wanted to be a couple.

Yes. They have fourteen days to make a decision. If they have not made a decision within that timeframe, and have the information they reasonably require from the claimant, they should make payment on account. This is outlined in regulation 93 of the Housing benefit regulations 2006.

OFT GUIDANCE S77-78.doc Been a long time since I attached a document BD, hope this has worked!