I had my benefit stopped in August claiming I was living elsewhere and had a nightmare getting it sorted. At first they said they would just get a copy of the appication made elsewhere for housing benefit and if the signatures didnt match then money would be restarted, no word on that and in the period I got copy of tenancy agreement from my landlord, and a letter stating I never moved out, and a copy of recent bank statement to show I still live here and letter from bank stating my address was never changed, letter from DWP stating my claim began on X date at the current address. Still refused so was told to give copy of utility bill for July to show I was living here, but I am on pre pay meters and only bill is landline/internet which I provide but it was paid late due to being overcharged so was told it was unsuitable, I then provided 6 months of phone bills and still got nowhere. They then ask for copies of bank statements which I provide. Still nothing, I contact again to be told the phone bill is unsuitable because its not itemised so they want a itemised bill. More time passes and they claim now to not have recieved any bank statements or utility bills so I phone again and advisor sents me out a letter saying in the meantime claim can be reopened as the other claim is closed but wants to see bank statements and utility bills again. I do this one last time and wait a few weeks and it is reinstated but not for the disputed 3 months from May to August. I contact again today to be told I have to prove I wasnt getting the money and to do that have to hand in bank statements and utility bills for the period which I have already done a few times!!! I am getting nowhere and the staff talk down to me as if I am lying. I did also try getting MP involved but each time it takes a week to get back to me and they just tell me the same as the council So I am the victim of identity fraud and I am also autistic and suffer from severe depression which is why I am on benefits in the first place and I dont need this!

wondering if anyone has the answer to this - live in Housing Association property and have received Housing and Council Tax Benefit since 2009. Basically I am autistic (and theregore legally a 'vulnerable' person but I only got my formal NHS diagnosis last month at the age of 56) both my autism and my caring duties for some disabled family members mean that it is impossible/impractical for me to get regular full time work and my only option is self employment working from home making craft items. For reasons that are not relevant here I currently receive neither disability benefits for myself nor Carers Allowance.(this may change in the future) My work is essentially upcycling discarded fabrics (I make fancy versions of the old style rag rugs) there are little or no expenses. My autism causes me problems with organisatoin and prioritising and the up shot is that I could sit all day into the small hours cutting fabric and making rugs but forget about marketing the items! the upshot is that although I do intend to make a profit in time at the moment although I am putting in a lot of hours there is little to show in respect of income or expenditure. I have just received a letter from my council saying that I am not entitled to HB or CTB as I am not in 'Gainful Employment" which is a term used under the definition of self employment in the Act that governs Housing Benefit as they term 'gainful employment' as one that pays an income. I will of course appeal ths decision as I think their interpretation is wrong on a number of reasons but I have a question that I would like to thow out to everybody. Essentially the council are disputing that I am 'self employed' under the HB rules. HOWEVER I am not sure that this is relevant because all the websites I have found and all the legislation I have looked at refer to entitlement to Housing Benefit arising if a claimant is in receipt of certain qualifying benefits OR ON A LOW INCOME!!! IN respect of those not on the trigger benefits I do not see anywhere a requirement that the claimant actually has to be in employment/self employment - simply it seems to look at the claimants income and capital. As someone with and autistic spectrum disorder I can get anxious to the point of meltdown - do I really need to risk a complicated fight about their definition of 'Gainful Employment" or is the whole thing irrelevant as I wonder if HB/CTB entitlement arises simply by virtue of being poor (to use a crude but effective term) Have the council overlooked the big picture or have I overlooked something?

I have searched the forum for this topic and from what I have seen have become very worried. I have realised that I have been getting paid more Hb for a couple of years than I should have. I always informed tax credits of my income and i automatically got a change of financial circumstances letter from Local council which unfortunatley didn't read thoroughly.i thought the Hmrc and council offices linked now anyway (my naivety)as received these notices. It appears by my layman's reckoning i am over paid by about 20 per week maybe less in previous years which will obviously accumulate over couple years. Of course fully appreciate i have been overpaid and will need to repay. Worried sick it may be classed as fraud and of prosecution. Also they randomly paid me an extra 100 in my hb a week ago which alerted me too look at notice. Again think this was due to tax cr messing a payment as my16 yr old staying in ft education and said something about system recalculate s on 1 Sep. But they have now righted my tax cr. Just scared I will end up in court. I today went in council office told them all above supplied them with p60 s pay slips etc. They said they don't appear have anything since 2011 on my record though sure must have as have record me coning in. And also they said very surprised I'd not been asked to provide up date pay slips. Anyway i have found evidence of pay back to 2011 popping that in. Supplied back to 2013 today. I'm working out on worse case scenario its over 2000 !! Just no idea how this will go. Is all i can do is wait. Thanks for any help

hey. in august i received a letter stating i was + £2000 over payed in housing benefits. i phoned my housing officer up she stated that it was cos i didnt provided my payslips even though i did for the first 3 month and then got told i didn't have to any more. so instead of putting my pay slip in i said i would pay it all back in monthly installments which they agreed to. my partner got a job 4 month after i did and had his jsa got cut off so in turn we stupidly thought that the housing benefit had been stopped as well because he was the main claimer. we did not pay our rent for a couple of month because we was trying to get on our feet and making sure we had gas elec and food in thinking later we would catch up with our rent when we was sorted now we he has received a letter saying he is to go to a interview under cation. i am seriously stressing out over this i am an over thinker and am thinking of all the nightmares that could happen. please could some one help?

Hi, and welcome to the CAG Benefit Forum. Here's a brief guide to the sorts of information posters here will be looking for to help give you prompt and accurate answers to any questions you may have. You may not know, or be unsure about, some of the things listed. That's OK, but the more information you can give the better. Not every question will be relevant to everyone, of course - this is just a general guide. Take care to post nothing that will allow you to be identified in the "real world". Which benefit are you claiming? For example, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credits etc. If you're unsure, please let us know the basic reason why you're claiming: are you out of work, sick, looking after someone full time etc. If you know whether your benefit is contributory or income based please tell us, as the rules for each type can be very different. If you're not currently claiming a benefit but are enquiring about what might be available in your circumstances, many of the questions listed here will still be relevant. Please also see the questions in the section below. If your query relates to non-receipt of a payment you expected, when did you expect the payment? If you have contacted the DWP or other paying agency regarding this, what explanation (if any) did they give? If your benefit has stopped because of an adverse outcome decision, have you requested a reconsideration or appeal? Examples of adverse outcome decisions: You are claiming ESA because you are sick. The DWP has determined that you are fit for work. You are claiming JSA because you are looking for work. The Jobcentre has decided that you are not doing enough to find work. You make a claim for a Personal Independence Payment because you have a disability that means you need extra assistance in getting around. The DWP has rejected your claim for benefit because it says your needs do not qualify; or the DWP has made you an award at a lower rate but you believe you should qualify for a higher one. Where do you live? We don't need your street address or hometown or anything like that. At the very least, please tell us whether you are in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, as there are some small differences in the way benefits are processed. This is especially relevant if you are in Northern Ireland. If your question relates to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, it might be helpful if you felt able to say which council area you live in, but if you'd rather not, we fully understand. If you currently live outside the UK and are enquiring about benefits available to non-residents or to returning expats, please let us know. If you are not a UK citizen, please tell us your status. For example, are you a citizen of another EU country? Do you have Indefinite Leave to Remain? Or some other immigration status? Do you have a partner? This means someone (of the same or opposite sex) to whom you are married, or with whom you live as if you were married. If you do have a partner, does he or she work or have any other source of income? If you are worried about a fraud or compliance matter, have you been asked to attend an Interview Under Caution (IUC)? If this is the case you will have been informed in writing, and the letter should clearly state that it relates to an IUC. Finally, please tell us any steps you've already taken to resolve the problem: phone calls, letters you've written and so on. This will help make sure we don't advise you to do things you've already done. ------------- If you are enquiring about what benefits may be available, here are some additional questions: How old are you? Do you currently work? If so, how many hours per week? Have you worked and paid National Insurance Contributions (sometimes called "stamp") in the last few years? Do you own the place you live? If you rent, do you rent from the council, a housing association, or a private landlord? Is your landlord a close relative? Are you fit for work and looking for work? Are you unable to work because of illness or disability? Do you have savings over £6000? Over £16,000? Do you have any disabilities? Do you have any children? If so, how old are they? Are you a lone parent? Do you care for anyone for more than 35 hours per week? Does anyone care for you for more than 35 hours per week? Again, if you're unable or unwilling to answer all of these questions, that's fine. Just tell us as much as you can.

Could someone help with this. I have been living in this property through the council for a month now. I claim income support. HB claim went through fine and they started paying my rent. Today though out of the blue I get a letter from them saying my HB has been stopped because I am no longer in receipt of income support. It's false though. I still claim both carers allowance and income support. Nothing has changed at all. The day after they said my suspension of HB started, I received my 2 weekly payment of IS to my bank account. They now want 2 months worth of bank statements (Why? They have my August bank statement already from when I made the HB claim), they want me to fill in a form titled "Use this form to claim housing benefit if your income support has stopped" (My IS hasn't stopped so if I did fill that form in, I would be lying to them) and proof of all income since I moved into this property. What can I do? Send them a screen print of the IS and CA when it next gets paid into my account? They have put me in the royal crap with rent because I am now in arrears. Thanks

Hi I am on jobseekers allowance at the moment, but would really like to get of it If I was to find a part time job or even a job one day a week or do Avon or something would I be able to sign of jobseekers allowance but still get housing benefit or would I now be put on universal credit and still have to go the jobcentre I am in Warrington and they do have universal credit in this area if that makes a difference

Hello My friend as recently had child tax credit ended leaving her with just income suport. Can anyone please tell me if there are any other benefits she is entitled to? Thanks for your time. Dan

I currently receive ESA. My mortgage lender has been granted possession of my home in 56 days time. I have been offered social accommodation by the council. If I were to rent out my home before it's repossessed would I be able to claim Housing Benefit for the council accommodation, as well as the ESA I am currently receiving? I have been on the turn2us.org.uk benefits calculator and input my details including the Equity I have in my home plus projected income from rental and the results show I will still be eligible for ESA and Housing Benefit. Does that sound right?

I left my Job on the 07/08/2015 and claimed JSA along with housing benefit and council tax support. I received a letter two days ago from the benefits office saying that as I left my job voluntarily they would not be paying me any money until November. I then decided to sign off JSA as I am starting a new job in three weeks time anyway. I visited the council offices to inform them that I still needed to claim housing/council tax benefit as I was/am not working. My wages were paid in two weeks after I finished work. They called this ' residual income' and said that as I had income I would have to pay rent. I have not earnt any money since the day I finished work. I was paid afterwards for the work that I did up until and including the 7th august. So surely I have no income. I never even received any payment from JSA. Should I be entitled to housing and council tax benefit? Thank you.

Hello everyone I am new here the time has come for me and my girlfriend to apply for a mortgage for our first home together. We have a meeting booked with a mortgage broker next week, and he asked us to get credit reports ready for the meeting, my girlfriends came back fine, but I've found a CCJ was issued on mine from 2011! After a lot of phone calls I've found out that this CCJ, for £94, was from an over-payment of housing benefit when I was unemployed for 2 weeks in 2010. Wigan Council paid me for 4 weeks when I was only due 2 weeks. Because I was in financial hardship at the time I ended up moving out of the council house I lived at and moved in with my dad to get back on my feet. This CCJ was issued way after I left that property and for such a small amount its infuriating it could hamper my plans to buy a house. I've done some research and I want to attempt to get it set aside. Wigan Council have been very unhelpful currently, I sent them an email asking about what had happened 2 because up until this point I have been completely ignorant of this - I've never had a problem getting credit (credit cards, DFS finance, phone contracts etc) so I have, probably naively, never felt the need to check my credit report. The rest of my report is immaculate, no late payments, no defaults etc. Because it was so long ago, and I was 20 at the time, I don't have any paperwork from leaving, proof I told Wigan Council I've left, even any paperwork from when I signed on for 2 weeks. I'm hoping I can get this by sending an SAR to Wigan Council and them giving me the info, but god knows how long that takes. From little bits I've read online my only possible defence I can fathom is the following: I did not reside at the property when the court papers were sent. I did not recognise Wigan Council as a creditor as the over payment was in error. If I legally owe the money, I have no issue paying it back. And that's about it. I wasn't out of the country, my dog didn't eat it, I have no decent excuses just the truth which is I had no idea this was happening! Do I have a leg to stand on? I'm aware ignorance isn't a defence really but without meaning to be dramatic I am scared this is going to ruin my chances of getting a mortgage for 18 months until it disappears and all for a measly £94. Any help or points in the right direction would be much appreciated! P.S. sorry if this is in the wrong forum!

as the above says. I'm posting this on behalf of my neighbour who has just got back from tameside magistrates regarding her housing benefit, in 2014 I helped her fill out the form HBCT1 and that was sent off, nothing was heard for several months, then after those months passed, still nothing, so I contacted them on her behalf, needless to say she had to fill out another HBCT1 form and was awarded housing benefit. New Charter had said that she owes them a total of £3000 she was taken to court today and ordered to pay £70 every monday, Bearing in mind that she gets £62 carers allowance and her income support. so out of her benefits she has to pay £270 every month. Because she had already applied but there was no acknowledgement from the revenues sector, is there any way to claim a backdate for that period that they say she owes them... Any help and advice would sincerely be appreciated.

Hi Looking for some advice for a friend. Mother earns £60,000 per year and father around £30,000. 2 children. Now parents going through divorce. Can father who has joint custody now claim child benefit and tax credits as he below the threshold for both benefits. Thanks

Hi Before I speak to my local council tomorrow I wondered if you could help me with a question. I received a housing benefit review letter with two form. As a sole trader I have to fill in my expenditure form-no problem. The other form is an A/B/C form. Part of the form is asking me to send in 5 weeks pay slips or 1 month payslip. I don't have either as I am self employed and don't have pay slips. Thanks

Step son now staying with us had to have mental health team intervention about 12 weeks ago claims to have had benefit forms filled in by MIND who he was referred to, and which he posted himself, had no acknowledgement of claim or anything from dwp. I unfortunately don't believe him ( I hope im wrong) but going on his past ie. going to job centre and refusing to go on courses hence no JSA. My question basically is do the DWP acknowledge claims and does it normally take this long for a claim to be considered when a "fitness to work" note is provided. Ive read a lot of the posts this am but not been able to find one which covers this guidance and help would be appreciated.

i have just received a letter say i owe the council near 3 Grand for over payed housing benefit. me and my partner moved to Scotland was homeless and had no job. last year i got in to work placement through job center and then got a job. i informed the council of everything and they said i didn't need to pay rent because i was working my bf benefits got stopped. my partner got agency work that lasted a couple of weeks and then they phoned up giving him some more. the council phoned up asking questions and i answered and she was like i will report it on system everything ill be fine you wont have to pay. i thought that was strange but though she knows best cos sh works for council. now i have this bill i don't know what to do and ive been reading forms about how they will do me with fraud i am so scared i am only 22 first every house and i do know what to do. i have suffer from bad depression any how and this is sending me over the edge.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone can give me any idea about my current situation. I am 39 years old and have just got a job after previously being on ESA, I live with both my parents who are both in their 60's they are both retired and my mother gets her state pension and also they get pension credits and claim housing benefit and council tax benefit for the house they rent. My question is this, this is only a 12 week temporary job and obviosuly regardless of that my parents will have to notify the council about the change of circumstances about me getting a job. Does anybody know how much their housing benefit will change? they already deduct £20 per week off their housing benefit because I live with them, even though I am not on the tenancy agreement it is just my mum and dad that are. Will I be expected to contribute a lot of money towards the rent now I am working? Even though the house is rented by my parents only? The job is full time and I make £295 a week. Thanks if anyone can help

Dear Caggers, My friend has been claiming ESA (support group) and DLA for a few years now, after a severe stroke...... He lives with his mother (who is a pensioner) and cares for him. They had a random visit from a "multi benefit review officer" with no prior arrangement, however, my friends mother refused entry and they have to telephone to arrange a re-visit with both my friend and his mother in attendance. Obviously, to have an unannounced visit causes great anxiety. Could anyone clarify what this is for? Is it to do with ATOS medicals? My friend has never claimed carer's allowance as he thought he was not entitled to as its his mother and this is exempt......

Hi all. I'm new here but I'm hoping that I can get a little information as it seems a bit of a grey area. I recently had my benefit stopped for housing and council tax benefit as after being requested for my company accounts for last year I did so and have been told that because the profits are above £16,000 (the threshold), I am not entitled to any benefit. Is this right? I ask because this money isn't mine, it's the company of which I am a director of. Hoping for some facts please as I'm still building my business hence the profit that was retained in there. Many thanks in advance. Dom

Bravest to benefit from bank fines: Victoria and George Cross holders will get £10k a year

Hi, It’s been nearly five years since we asked PayPlan to help us with our debt difficulties. And In that time our debt has gone from nearly £29,000 down to just £5,000. We are paying £340 per month. Now, the child benefits/Tax we have been receiving will be reduced with our eldest finishing college. There will be a loss of about £65 per week, but we don’t expect to regain the full amount from our son due to his indecisiveness about his future. With our reveiw due in August, we are unsure what to say about the his income. Would the creditors expect an income figure for him? or just a token board and lodge amount? The debts in question have nothing to do with him. To date he is still looking, but nothing yet. Hope this is clear.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33347511 WTF?? Does that even make sense? Now there's me thinking It's actually about being too ill to work. Oh great. Looks like they're repeating this news as a precursor to next weeks budget, god help us all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33353318 I have a better idea - how about we start actually controlling private rent levels, which is what is driving the increase in housing benefit. But no, let the well off keep the money and penalise the poor instead.

Received a letter today asking me to attend an interview under caution next week. I'm unemployed but my wife works part time 24 hours a week we claim tax credits and get help with housing and council tax ,then the new law came in where you had to work 30+ hours I can't find work so wife took about prt time job. She started just covering the odd shift around March as this wasn't permanent and wasn't going to be till September when the person doing the job went to uni. when the job became hers in September I waited 2 weeks then wrote a letter to benefits inclosing 2 pay slips. That was the end of it, nearly 2 years later benefits write to us asking to provide pay slips, so we send the stuff off they wanted. I then receive a letter about overpayment on housing and council benefits also wanted to no wife's start date on 2nd job ,thought this was strange. I rang them up and they informed me they didn't no my wife had a 2nd job, I told them I sent a letter to inform them and 2 pay slips,they said they never received anything. I got the date my wife started 2 hd job sent that plus the p65 week later received more letters saying we owed over 3k, spoke again on the phone due to them not knowing about the 2nd job we owed this money. They asked if I wanted to appeal it I said it was a waste of time as its my word against there's regarding the letter, I no for a fact I sent it, so they misplaced it or lost in post I was also told cause I'm not appealing it won't go any further. i was told the pay back plan and been paying this since, now 8 months later called in for interview Anyone offer any advice for me as I'm bricking them,the only thing I'm at fault with is not declaring the work she did before the job came permament.

Hi, I wonder if anyone can tell me, after an IUC do you get a letter to say that they are going to prosecute? and can you appeal their decision to prosecute? Many thanks in advance