housing benefit help!

[helphelphelpfuck]

Sorry to post in AIBU but am panicking. Just checked my account and only half my housing benefit had gone in. Haven't had any letters saying it's going to be cut, just completely out the blue. Does anyone know why they might do this? If they don't pay the other half then we can't afford to eat this month! Please tell me it's something crazy to do with the bank holiday.

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

Just call them up and ask. PITA but that's how it is.

In my experience stuff like this is sorted out very quickly and they'll be open at 8am.

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

And don't stress.

When I was claiming ESA they fucked it up weekly but it was always sorted out with a quick phone call.

Honestly.

[helphelphelpfuck]

Oh really? Thankyou so much. An hour is such a long time to wait when you're stressing! I definitely haven't done anything naughty so can't see why it would be cut!

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Don't stress, sometimes they make a cock up inputting the info on the computer and often a phone call is needed to sort it out - good luck! Check what time the phone lines are open and keep redialling until you get someone!

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

I know. It's shit. And it's soooooo stressful.

I remember feeling totally at their mercy and being on tenterhooks each week/month because I didn't know if it would be paid.

Just phone up and be really nice to them and they'll sort it.

[helphelphelpfuck]

Absolutely do not need this this month. Huge bills to pay, driving test to pay and daughters birthday

[neighbourhoodwoes]

I will wait with you.
I returned a renewal form to them as SE
There was a co habitee question but no option to click no cohabitee on a question so as they told me to i clicked no cohabitee doesn't have an income then wrote in extra info on the last page that I do NOT have a cohabitee but there is no option to skip question.

Theyve stopped my claim and possibly my tax credits...

[neighbourhoodwoes]

Sorry the punctuation is awful in that.

[helphelphelpfuck]

Oh god neighbour it's so stressful isn't it!

Who do I phone? Is it my local council or a general HB enquiry line?

[Afreshstartplease]

I'd phone your local council

[helphelphelpfuck]

Bummer. They're not open till half 8

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

In a town near you, there should be a benefits office. Pop in and see them.
We have one in Ellesmere port. Bit of a drive, but really helpful. They pull up your claim on the computer. And usually fix things while you wait.
Sometimes national insurance other people totally balls it up make a mistake that screws things up.
Assuming your circumstances have not changed, any missing hb should be paid. Probably with next payment. Or as an extra payment before next one due.

[helphelphelpfuck]

They can wait till next payment? But then my rent for this month won't be paid! Oh god why can't they just get things right!!

[Afreshstartplease]

Op have your tax credits payments increased?

[helphelphelpfuck]

No they've actually gone down by a pound a week

[Afreshstartplease]

Has anything changed in your household?

[helphelphelpfuck]

No nothing at all

[lilydaisyrose]

Are you getting living wage?

[helphelphelpfuck]

I don't know. What does that mean?

[Afreshstartplease]

Do you work? If so are you old enough to have been affected by the living wage

[Clarathemagnificent]

My housing benefit has gone down this month but tax credits have gone up so they balance each other out. Are you on tax credits OP?

[helphelphelpfuck]

Oh no, not currently working.

[helphelphelpfuck]

I don't think tax credits would cover over half of my housing benefit though would they?

[Afreshstartplease]

If nothing has changed then it does look most likely to be an error on their part

[helphelphelpfuck]

Ok that's reassuring. 15 more minutes aaaaagh!!!