Benefit Payments

[FoxesDeb]

I'm posting this really hoping that nobody knows me IRL. 

 

I've recently had to declare to the benefits people that my 17 year old son has left full-time education, and because I should have done it in September all my benefits have been stopped completely. I work full time but my salary alone nowhere near covers my bills as a single parent with 3 children. I can't cover my bills this month, never mind go shopping, and I'm really not sure if there's anything I can do. My salary was topped up by child tax credits, housing benefit and child benefit, all of which have stopped. 

 

I would have let them know sooner but I was not being paid due to being off sick, and I never imagined that they would stop everything. 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

14 minutes ago, FoxesDeb said:

I'm posting this really hoping that nobody knows me IRL. 

 

I've recently had to declare to the benefits people that my 17 year old son has left full-time education, and because I should have done it in September all my benefits have been stopped completely. I work full time but my salary alone nowhere near covers my bills as a single parent with 3 children. I can't cover my bills this month, never mind go shopping, and I'm really not sure if there's anything I can do. My salary was topped up by child tax credits, housing benefit and child benefit, all of which have stopped. 

 

I would have let them know sooner but I was not being paid due to being off sick, and I never imagined that they would stop everything. 

 

 

 

 

Speak to the jobcentre about a crisis loan and the council regarding a short term discretionary housing payment.

 

If you owe money contact your banks and ask to have interest payments waived for a couple of months.

 

Try to get a food Bank referral - I'm not sure exactly who can do this but ask the jobcentre when you ask about the loan.

 

Go see the citizens advice Bureau.

Edited 9 February 2018 by Guest

[FoxesDeb]

1 minute ago, toddybad said:

Speak to the jobcentre about a crisis loan and the council regarding a short term discretionary housing payment.

Thank you, I will try both but I'm not sure that the job centre will be interested, as I work full time and earn what the government have decided is a decent salary, even though it's not actually enough to live on

[Guest]

1 minute ago, FoxesDeb said:

Thank you, I will try both but I'm not sure that the job centre will be interested, as I work full time and earn what the government have decided is a decent salary, even though it's not actually enough to live on

I just added some extra bits on the end of the first post.

You can only ask. 

You can also ask gas/electric too in the back of my mind I have an idea they might be able to offer short term relief.

 

[Buce]

43 minutes ago, FoxesDeb said:

I'm posting this really hoping that nobody knows me IRL. 

 

I've recently had to declare to the benefits people that my 17 year old son has left full-time education, and because I should have done it in September all my benefits have been stopped completely. I work full time but my salary alone nowhere near covers my bills as a single parent with 3 children. I can't cover my bills this month, never mind go shopping, and I'm really not sure if there's anything I can do. My salary was topped up by child tax credits, housing benefit and child benefit, all of which have stopped. 

 

I would have let them know sooner but I was not being paid due to being off sick, and I never imagined that they would stop everything. 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you earn too much to claim Working Tax Credit? If you were previously entitled to Housing Benefit, you still should be. Ditto Council Tax Relief.

 

Get on the phone to Citizens Advice asap.

[FoxesDeb]

Just now, Buce said:

 

Do you earn too much to claim Working Tax Credit? If you were previously entitled to Housing Benefit, you still should be. Ditto Council Tax Relief.

 

Get on the phone to Citizens Advice asap.

Yes Buce, too much for WTC. And yes was entitled to a small amount of HB, but that has also stopped overnight because it is based on the CTC. No council tax relief. CAB is closed for the weekend, really feel like I've gone about 15 steps backwards. 

[Buce]

1 minute ago, FoxesDeb said:

Yes Buce, too much for WTC. And yes was entitled to a small amount of HB, but that has also stopped overnight because it is based on the CTC. No council tax relief. CAB is closed for the weekend, really feel like I've gone about 15 steps backwards. 

 

I assume your other two kids are younger? If so, there's no reason you shouldn't still get CTC for them - as far as I know it's not dependent on the receipt of other benefits, just income related. They may have stopped it because of overpayment but I'm pretty sure you can have that taken off next year's award because it's based on the previous tax year, I think. Sorry, I have no personal experience so I can't say definitively.

 

My advice is call CAB first thing on Monday.

[Charl91]

I went to the CAB once. They were pretty useless. Just a bloke using google.

[Izzy]

1 hour ago, FoxesDeb said:

I'm posting this really hoping that nobody knows me IRL. 

 

I've recently had to declare to the benefits people that my 17 year old son has left full-time education, and because I should have done it in September all my benefits have been stopped completely. I work full time but my salary alone nowhere near covers my bills as a single parent with 3 children. I can't cover my bills this month, never mind go shopping, and I'm really not sure if there's anything I can do. My salary was topped up by child tax credits, housing benefit and child benefit, all of which have stopped. 

 

I would have let them know sooner but I was not being paid due to being off sick, and I never imagined that they would stop everything. 

 

Sorry to hear that Deb 

 

As others have said, Citizens Advice would be my first point of call. My Dad did some voluntary work for them in Leicester after he retired but he left not long ago. I hope you get the help and support you need.

 

I'm not sure if you've seen this yet but may be worth having a look at the Governments Money Advice Service before you go to the CAB. It looks like they've got a 'web chat' function so you may be able to speak with someone before Monday. Best of luck...

 

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

[oxford blue]

There is insufficient info in your post to understand exactly why your benefits have stopped. With regard to HB, if your son still lives with you the amount of rent (local Housing Allowance) on which your HB is based will be unchanged (ie the bedroom requirement remains the same). The letter you will have received from the HB section will have calculations on showing why it has stopped. It can only be because your "applicable amount" has decreased as the calculation will be based on 2 children, and not 3. (I assume payments have not just been suspended - if so, contact them on Monday.) 

There is a benefits calculator here:

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

 

For your child tax credits to have stopped, you can only have been receiving the family element, as explained here:

https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-overpayments/repay-your-tax-credits

 

There is no reason for child benefit to have sopped. For an overpayment, you will be asked to pay it back ina lump sum, but if not deductions will be made. It should not be stopped. Further info is here:

https://www.gov.uk/repay-child-benefit-overpayments

 

If your income is such that you are no longer entitled to HB  or tax credits then you need to gt some budgeting advice as a priority. The CAB are the best organisation to provide this. You can find some online help here:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/budgeting/

As a general rule, your rent should be as much a priority as possible. If you start falling behind with your rent, your landlord is likely to issue a s21 notice. Your local authority will have a advisory service on aspects of this. From 3.4.18, a s21 will mean you are threatened with homelessness (currently only 28 days before expiry) and you will be owed a "prevention" duty.

 

It might be you will need to look for somewhere that is cheaper to rent, which I know is easier said than done. 

 

 

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, oxford blue said:

There is insufficient info in your post to understand exactly why your benefits have stopped. With regard to HB, if your son still lives with you the amount of rent (local Housing Allowance) on which your HB is based will be unchanged (ie the bedroom requirement remains the same). The letter you will have received from the HB section will have calculations on showing why it has stopped. It can only be because your "applicable amount" has decreased as the calculation will be based on 2 children, and not 3. (I assume payments have not just been suspended - if so, contact them on Monday.) 

There is a benefits calculator here:

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

 

For your child tax credits to have stopped, you can only have been receiving the family element, as explained here:

https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-overpayments/repay-your-tax-credits

 

There is no reason for child benefit to have sopped. For an overpayment, you will be asked to pay it back ina lump sum, but if not deductions will be made. It should not be stopped. Further info is here:

https://www.gov.uk/repay-child-benefit-overpayments

 

If your income is such that you are no longer entitled to HB  or tax credits then you need to gt some budgeting advice as a priority. The CAB are the best organisation to provide this. You can find some online help here:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/budgeting/

As a general rule, your rent should be as much a priority as possible. If you start falling behind with your rent, your landlord is likely to issue a s21 notice. Your local authority will have a advisory service on aspects of this. From 3.4.18, a s21 will mean you are threatened with homelessness (currently only 28 days before expiry) and you will be owed a "prevention" duty.

 

It might be you will need to look for somewhere that is cheaper to rent, which I know is easier said than done. 

 

 

If she no longer receives child benefit then her housing benefit will have reduced as her son will no longer be considered a dependant.

 

Edit: Sorry, re-read and realised you'd accounted for this.

Edited 9 February 2018 by Guest

[FoxesDeb]

1 hour ago, oxford blue said:

There is insufficient info in your post to understand exactly why your benefits have stopped. With regard to HB, if your son still lives with you the amount of rent (local Housing Allowance) on which your HB is based will be unchanged (ie the bedroom requirement remains the same). The letter you will have received from the HB section will have calculations on showing why it has stopped. It can only be because your "applicable amount" has decreased as the calculation will be based on 2 children, and not 3. (I assume payments have not just been suspended - if so, contact them on Monday.) 

There is a benefits calculator here:

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

 

For your child tax credits to have stopped, you can only have been receiving the family element, as explained here:

https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-overpayments/repay-your-tax-credits

 

There is no reason for child benefit to have sopped. For an overpayment, you will be asked to pay it back ina lump sum, but if not deductions will be made. It should not be stopped. Further info is here:

https://www.gov.uk/repay-child-benefit-overpayments

 

If your income is such that you are no longer entitled to HB  or tax credits then you need to gt some budgeting advice as a priority. The CAB are the best organisation to provide this. You can find some online help here:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/budgeting/

As a general rule, your rent should be as much a priority as possible. If you start falling behind with your rent, your landlord is likely to issue a s21 notice. Your local authority will have a advisory service on aspects of this. From 3.4.18, a s21 will mean you are threatened with homelessness (currently only 28 days before expiry) and you will be owed a "prevention" duty.

 

It might be you will need to look for somewhere that is cheaper to rent, which I know is easier said than done. 

 

 

HB has been suspended while they look into my already existing claim, which has been paid for the last three years, there has been an over payment because my eldest son left school in September. I have no idea when or if it will be restarted. They have said that he is no longer a dependent, even though he is not contributing to my household income, the fact that he is no longer in full time education is enough for the HB and child tax credits people to no longer count him. CTC have been stopped also due to over payment, and Child Benefit the same. I will receive no further payments from either until April 6th. Whilst I am not in any way disputing any over payment, I can't believe that it has all been stopped literally overnight. But it's ultimately my fault because I didn't make them aware sooner. 

[DJ Barry Hammond]

 

@FoxesDeb

 

Couple of things I’d suggest that’s not been mentioned...

 

• if you you were off sick from work for a while and your employer wasn’t paying you, you might be eligible for satutory sick pay. See the linksfor more details; 
• https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay  
• https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-citizens-advice-works/media/press-releases/employers-tricking-people-out-of-sick-pay-says-citizens-advice/
• Dealing with a government department on the phone can be a horrible experience, especially the benefits office - but when I was in that situation I did come across some understanding staff who were able to assist, including making a part payment earlier that would have been the case normally. If you’re honest and upfront about you situation, i’d Be suprised if the department couldn’t work something out.
• If that doesn’t work or you’re still in difficulties it could also be well worth going to see your local MP because they have the power directly intervene / prioritise cases within departments. They will normally hold a weekly surgery sometime around the weekend as they return from Westminster. Most have détail sur online where you can book an appointment.

I also wonder if your payment has been stopped because they’re attempting to move you over to Universal Credit? 

 

And you probably know this, but for completeness, write down some details of every conversation you have with a government department - name of the person, time & date of call, key things that were said.

 

Little tip on that - if you make a point of asking the call handler to repeat their name right at the start they will know you’ve written down at your end and should be on best behaviour / less arsy throughout. And that goes for any company, not just government agencies. 

Edited 9 February 2018 by DJ Barry Hammond

[DJ Barry Hammond]

This could also be useful to know Deb...

Apply for an extension

You could get Child Benefit for 20 weeks (called an ‘extension’) if your child leaves approved education or training and either:

• registers with their local careers service, Connexions (or a similar organisation in Northern Ireland, the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein)
• signed up to join the armed forces

Apply for the extension online, by phone or post.

To qualify your child must:

• be 16 or 17
• work less than 24 hours a week
• not get certain benefits (eg Income Support)

You must have been entitled to Child Benefit immediately before they left the approved education or training and apply for it within 3 months of them leaving.

[DB11]

I guess at least you're lucky that you're not being investigated for fraud

[Trav Le Bleu]

22 minutes ago, DB11 said:

I guess at least you're lucky that you're not being investigated for fraud

Trust a ref!

 

This might a sound a bit harsh, but your son could get some employment or unemployment benefit if not at least? Not going to sort your problems out, but will ease them. I guess many of us older foxes will be familiar with the idea that once you leave school you need to start paying your way.

[StanSP]

 

14 hours ago, toddybad said:

Speak to the jobcentre about a crisis loan and the council regarding a short term discretionary housing payment.

 

If you owe money contact your banks and ask to have interest payments waived for a couple of months.

 

Try to get a food Bank referral - I'm not sure exactly who can do this but ask the jobcentre when you ask about the loan.

 

Go see the citizens advice Bureau.

pretty much what I'd have said too. CAB will be able to help you with a DHP as well - usually most councils have a pot of money for a DHP and if there's money left in that pot towards the end of the financial year, they're usually a bit more lenient in giving it out (they have to prove that they've budgeted correctly for the financial year so they'd much rather use it all up as opposed to have anything left over). 

 

CAB should also be able to help with renegotiating any debt/loan payments with any of your debtors if you're really in a financial struggle so that you can afford the 'essential' debts (rent and Council Tax; anything else is important but seen as non-essential). 

 

9 hours ago, DJ Barry Hammond said:

 

@FoxesDeb

 

Couple of things I’d suggest that’s not been mentioned...

 

• if you you were off sick from work for a while and your employer wasn’t paying you, you might be eligible for satutory sick pay. See the linksfor more details; 
• https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay  
• https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-citizens-advice-works/media/press-releases/employers-tricking-people-out-of-sick-pay-says-citizens-advice/
• Dealing with a government department on the phone can be a horrible experience, especially the benefits office - but when I was in that situation I did come across some understanding staff who were able to assist, including making a part payment earlier that would have been the case normally. If you’re honest and upfront about you situation, i’d Be suprised if the department couldn’t work something out.
• If that doesn’t work or you’re still in difficulties it could also be well worth going to see your local MP because they have the power directly intervene / prioritise cases within departments. They will normally hold a weekly surgery sometime around the weekend as they return from Westminster. Most have détail sur online where you can book an appointment.

I also wonder if your payment has been stopped because they’re attempting to move you over to Universal Credit? 

 

And you probably know this, but for completeness, write down some details of every conversation you have with a government department - name of the person, time & date of call, key things that were said.

 

Little tip on that - if you make a point of asking the call handler to repeat their name right at the start they will know you’ve written down at your end and should be on best behaviour / less arsy throughout. And that goes for any company, not just government agencies. 

they can't move you over unless the HB has completely stopped.

 

HB wil always communicate with the customer (through phone or letter) that the benefit is being suspended or ended. If it's being suspended, they usually require more information about the claim or change of circumstance and they just need proof of the change. And there's usually a deadline for the claimant to get info back in to HB. If info is handed in within this deadline then the HB claim is processed and if all okay, they'll re-instate and backdate to whenever necessary. The change of circumstance in this case is @FoxesDeb going on sick (so less income) and son leaving FTE.

 

If it has ended totally, then Deb will be told to claim UC. When a claim for UC is made, all benefits stop for 5-6 weeks before the first payment is sent. Depending on if Deb owes any money to his landlord, payments may be able to be made directly to the landlord and have an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) added on to the rent amount. The APA is usually requested via the landlord to UC and it is UC who decide the amount based on any arrears on the account. It sounds like Deb may be eligible for an advanced payment from UC to help out in the mean-time but UC will claw this back over 6-12 months I think. 

 

9 hours ago, DB11 said:

I guess at least you're lucky that you're not being investigated for fraud

why would he be investigated for fraud?

 

Sounds like Deb hasn't tried to deceive the HB system and just failed to notify them of any changes. There's 'better' ways to go about committing fraud to financially benefit from it, not get in to more stress and trouble from it . 

 

 

[Buce]

4 minutes ago, StanSP said:

 

pretty much what I'd have said too. CAB will be able to help you with a DHP as well - usually most councils have a pot of money for a DHP and if there's money left in that pot towards the end of the financial year, they're usually a bit more lenient in giving it out (they have to prove that they've budgeted correctly for the financial year so they'd much rather use it all up as opposed to have anything left over). 

 

CAB should also be able to help with renegotiating any debt/loan payments with any of your debtors if you're really in a financial struggle so that you can afford the 'essential' debts (rent and Council Tax; anything else is important but seen as non-essential). 

 

they can't move you over unless the HB has completely stopped.

 

HB wil always communicate with the customer (through phone or letter) that the benefit is being suspended or ended. If it's being suspended, they usually require more information about the claim or change of circumstance and they just need proof of the change. And there's usually a deadline for the claimant to get info back in to HB. If info is handed in within this deadline then the HB claim is processed and if all okay, they'll re-instate and backdate to whenever necessary. The change of circumstance in this case is @FoxesDeb going on sick (so less income) and son leaving FTE.

 

If it has ended totally, then Deb will be told to claim UC. When a claim for UC is made, all benefits stop for 5-6 weeks before the first payment is sent. Depending on if Deb owes any money to his landlord, payments may be able to be made directly to the landlord and have an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) added on to the rent amount. The APA is usually requested via the landlord to UC and it is UC who decide the amount based on any arrears on the account. It sounds like Deb may be eligible for an advanced payment from UC to help out in the mean-time but UC will claw this back over 6-12 months I think. 

 

why would he be investigated for fraud?

 

Sounds like Deb hasn't tried to deceive the HB system and just failed to notify them of any changes. There's 'better' ways to go about committing fraud to financially benefit from it, not get in to more stress and trouble from it . 

 

 

 

Pretty sure 'he' is a she, Stan.

[StanSP]

18 minutes ago, Buce said:

 

Pretty sure 'he' is a she, Stan.

ah fvck i've misgendered.

 

when will the police come for me?

[Guest]

It's time for the universal wage to be implemented and people who work to actually be better off than those who don't. so wrong that the OP is working yet can't afford to live.

[Bellend Sebastian]

44 minutes ago, StanSP said:

ah fvck i've misgendered.

 

when will the police come for me?

Why won't you open the door? Me and the rest of the PC Brigade are getting soaked out here

[StanSP]

28 minutes ago, FIF said:

It's time for the universal wage to be implemented and people who work to actually be better off than those who don't. so wrong that the OP is working yet can't afford to live.

 

The benefits were stopped because HB weren't informed in September of the change of circumstances. Sounds genuine that Deb didn't mention to HB at that time.

 

Deb can ask for reinstatement and a backdate to September (this is unlikely it'll be backdated all that way as Councils have become stricter on this).

Deb can also appeal and ask for a tribunal if necessary if he can prove to the Council that it was a genuine mistake of him not informing them back then that his son had left full-time education. 

 

And if I read correctly, Deb isn't working at the moment due to being off sick and not getting sick pay. As the income has dropped (to just CTC and CB) she should be entitled to high or full Housing Benefit. 

 

They stop the benefits to stop you being over-charged over time because they would just deduct that money off any future payments. I've worked with customers who haven't realised (through their own fault or not) that they were getting more benefits that they're entitled to and rack up £3000+ worth of overpayments. This is then taken back off their future HB entitlement and they're left with £0.50/w entitlement for years. Obviously if it's the Council's fault then that'll be determined in the tribunal. 

 

I'd encourage Deb to be forthcoming with HB to eliminate all doubt that it was done on purpose - be open with giving in any documents required and ensure it's done on time from now on so that it can be processed quickly. And still go to CAB to get the DHP - as long as the council can see financial hardship and struggle she's gone through (CAB can help with getting the story to have full effect), it's likely they'll help out with the finances back to September with the rent and maybe any future help til the end of the financial year). 

[ozleicester]

Feel for you Deb, what a society we have that some one can be working and still unable to take care of their family.

 

I unfortunately have nothing to offer, but my best wishes and hopes that things will improve for you.

[Buce]

•  

[Izzy]

20 minutes ago, Buce said:

•  

To be fair to Deb, she did admit that it’s ultimately her fault for not informing them earlier. Not sure the Tories are necessarily to blame on this occasion.