11 replies to this topic

[inthesticks]

Hi

Another lurker feeling guilty!

I have lots of reasons why I have not been participating but they are for other posts!

This is a desperation post for help from anyone who knows the current housing benefit system in the UK. I am at a loss for words for the behaviour of my local HB office.

I have lived in my current home for 10 years and now suddenly they have reduced my HB and didn't pay all of last years, without my knowledge!!! My landlord is being very understanding but I don't think this will last.

I have contacted my MP and local Councillor, useless lot they are, they believe the garbage the HB workers tell them. I had an email late yesterday to say that I had had various meetings in person regarding this matter and to wait for the decision, this is a load of BS as I have not heard from or seen anyone.

I have had a really crap 12 months and at the lowest I've been in 28 years of SCI, is this the way this government is going to continue to drive us all into the ground or is there anyone who has been here and beaten the b&%*£$ds, please let me know.

I know I haven't given much detail but it's too complicated to put into words and I'm loosing the plot.

Any offers!!!

[goose]

Sorry to hear about your troubles but since I live on the other side of the pond I can't offer any suggestions.

I am glad to see you posting and reaching out for help. I hope some one will have a good idea for you.

I do know dealing with our government is like !!!

[catmint]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I don't personally have experience of claiming HB but due to redundancy I know someone who has. Although not SCI they have been pushed from pillar to post. One thing I have learned , it seems it is better not to phone. Do everything by email and keep copies. They have a folder full of stuff. It is a strength sapping experience as You have found.

I am pretty sure there are some members who will be able to give you advice based on actual experience.

Please stick around. There are many here who are going through tough times. It's a bad time to be SCI in the UK.But remember. ' together we are strong'

You have been in a chair for 28 years, I see one strong lady

[wheeliebear75]

I'm on the same side of "the pond" as goose.....BUT....just to let ya know....we're having much of the same issues as you are in UK. Keep TRYING....eventually maybe they'll just get so sick of hearing/seeing YOUR NAME pop up they'll grow weary of the whole mess & PAY UP!

[Tinbasher]

Hi I don't know the HB system well but for than past error that put you in arrears without your knowledge. The Local Authority Ombudsman is your ally, also you have access to a Housing Benefit Appeal system.

If you contact Shelter they can help.

All the best.

Tom

[Lucky]

Hey bud.
I know exactly where u r coming from n I've had problems on 3 separate occasions.... Proper stress each lasting months!
If u PM me or email me at crooksmaster@gmail.com I'll explain my probs n advise u as best I can. I've become some-what of an expert on this topic.
Just remember, you're not gonna be chucked on the street!

Peace

[ajl338]

cant help you with housing benifit. But i assume that you are getting the same grief that seems to come with trying to sort something that should be so simple.
Just to cheer you up


(go out with some signs so you know which people to avoid)

[Liz56]

Don't know if you have this sorted yet or not, but if you haven't, then I've always found the Disability Welfare Rights person at the CAB very useful. They can even arrange to come out to see you if you can't get in to see them. They really know their stuff and have all the right words to argue with.

[inthesticks]

Hi everyone, thought I had better update you on this subject as apparently there are many of us having the same trouble. I have always believed that a face to

face with the so called experts works in your favour. Having the facts and and putting them forward before giving them a chance to open their mouths, puts them on the back foot.

After an hour of talking about appealing, and the types of forms to be filled in we agreed that the fault lay fully on their shoulders and someone in their office had

been passing the buck.

They have now gone back to the office with their tail between their legs to sort everything out, including the form filling as they were quite embarrassed when they

saw I couldn't physically do it myself.

This face to face had taken 12 months to actually happen so I can now cross another negative thing off my list of horrors from the last year.

[catmint]

So glad to hear something positive has happened.

Now they have met you they realise that you are not going to roll over and take it.

Good for you..don't let them off the hook, keep up the pressure. Talk is cheap, you want results.

Keep us updated.

[greybeard]

Well done, Inthesticks.

[Tetracyclone]

Thanks for the fabulous tale of success against the dreaded faceless beast, Bureaucracy.