Housing Benefit Review
I get esa, pip and hb. My last review resulted in them suspending my hb as I couldn't prove that my cash withdrawls were for daily living. They accused me of having another account to live on, I didn't. Any benefits have always been paid into the only account I had at that time.
Fast forward to this review and I also have a current account that will show where some of my money goes. I still use cash, and they still requested a letter from me to say it is for daily living expenses.
They also queried the "bank credits" which actually correspond to my benefit amount. They got the two months statements, but I had to put that in writing as well. Soon that account is changing to a card account so I get monthly statements which will then say esa or pip I suppose. But they are still going to question the withdrawal of any cash.
The LA write and reduce my hb when the esa goes up automatically as a recent change. So they already know what I get.
Despite reading that you can spend the money how you like. This doesn't appear to be the case if you still use cash. I shouldn't imo have to write and explain that the cash is for daily living.
I am waiting for them to make a decision.
Comments
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Wow I don't know but that's shocking
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They said in the last review that my room was too big and they deducted £15 of my hb. I didn't think the size of the room was an issue, I have one ROOM in a shared house.
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Wow if you was sleeping in a bath they'd still say it's a room ? With water on tap keep you hydrated I just like all of us I want to escape this system
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The reviews are normal, but I couldn't find anything in regards to the size of the actual room. I am a single person who should receive the single rate for my area.
I don't for some reason.
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Could you post a screenshot or photo of exactly what they said about that? (Cover or crop out any personal details).
I don't see why you shouldn't be getting up-to the shared rate of LHA in a shared property.
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It's not. Regardless of the size of the room or the size of the property, a single person should get the single person rate. The only things deducted are what is never included such as bills and services.
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Hello @whistles, are you under 35? I'm wondering if they have changed you from the one bedroom rate to the shared rate?
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I am over that age.
They have gradually been dropping the hb each year. Checking it fully I am still £12 under the recommended amount you can get for my LA based on the shared accommodation figure.
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Is your rent less than the one bedroom figure once you remove any included bills or charges?
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It's £47 more.
I have found the comment where they deducted £3.50 because my accommodation is too big. That makes no sense to me as a single person.
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The valuation office agency decided where I live is to big. However I am entitled to a room in a house.
My HB is below both the one bedroom rate and the shared accommodation rate.
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Have you been in the property since before 2008 @whistles?
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Yes why?
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I should add that this photo is just to show what they said in the previous review. It's too late to appeal this decision and subsequent ones due it being longer than twelve months.
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Those that have claimed HB since before 2008 without any breaks in their claim have their rent calculated differently. The Local Housing Allowance doesn't apply to you. This only applies to those that have been claiming HB since 2008 or have had a break in their claim. (moved house for example)
For you, your rent is restricted to a maximum rate set by a rent officer.
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Oh right.
You learn something new everyday as they say.
Perhaps this is the reason they are being so awkward.
Wouldn't it have been fairer if everyone got moved to the LHA system? I have had to make up the short fall.
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LHA doesn't apply to those renting from social/council housing. It only applies to those privately renting.
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It's because when the rules changes in 2008 it only applied to new claims, or those moving house and had a break in the HB claim.
When you claim UC, this will be a break in your claim so LHA rules will apply for UC housing element.
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Interestingly those who remain on the old system tend to have far more generous awards as they use actual rent, but can make some deductions if they believe the rent to be unreasonable.
Most claimants still on the pre-LHA system have housing benefit awards that are far higher than the LHA. I am interested to know why yours is below. It can happen but it is rare.
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Thank you, @poppy123456. That’s exactly why I asked about 2008—great explanation!
How long have you been waiting for their decision on cash withdrawals, @whistles?
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