Housing Benefit Slow at processing change of circumstances and rent arrears

Moonlady
Moonlady Online Community Member Posts: 70 Contributor
in Benefits and income
Is there a legal timescale that HB have to sort out and act on information via change of circumstances at all ?

I changed over from my partner having IS to myself having IR ESA and CB ESA

I am at the point of owing 7 weeks rent at London prices 

I have phoned HB again today and they have escalated and marked it urgent, basically like LAST week (same was said ) but nothing is getting processed and in payment

I have explained that at 8 weeks they can serve a section 8 but nothing is getting done

I can not think of anything else I can do speed the process up. Our local council is not the best to say the least


Thanks

Comments

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,423 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Hi @Moonlady so sorry to hear that they're kicking their heels over this, I understand the frustration! 
    I'm afraid HB isn't my area of expertise, but hopefully someone will see this soon and be able to offer some top advice. 
     Though, have you tried writing to your local MP?  They can sometimes speed things up for you. 
  • Moonlady
    Moonlady Online Community Member Posts: 70 Contributor
    Albus_Scope said:
    Hi @Moonlady so sorry to hear that they're kicking their heels over this, I understand the frustration! 
    I'm afraid HB isn't my area of expertise, but hopefully someone will see this soon and be able to offer some top advice. 
     Though, have you tried writing to your local MP?  They can sometimes speed things up for you. 
    Many thanks for your reply

    It is so frustrating, I do not really want to contact my landlord at this stage as we are probably due a section 13 rent increase and I do not want it sooner than I can hold off for
    I think I will have to source at least one weeks at 300 pounds (London prices) and then bite the bullet and explain

    I may do that about the MP, I will google who it is. I think I will draft a letter over the weekend and send it after Tuesday and Wednesday

    Thanks for the advice
  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 11,423 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    No problem @Moonlady I totally understand not wanting to speak to the landlord, just in case! Best of luck with your MP. Will you stop in and let us know how you get on? 

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