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Argh why do benefits take so long to come through?!

26 replies

NoNamesLeft86 · 08/10/2017 07:33

As a recently single Mum i applied for everything I could 3-4 weeks ago. Child benefit, tax credits, income suppory, housing benefit etc.

Have still not heard anything from any of them and reading online it could still be weeks. I need to pay £2k in rent in 1 week time and feed my family and furnish a house (which will be done via freecycle as much as possible).

I dont understand why it takes so long? What are people supposed to do in the meantime?! Just not eat?! I am grateful that the system is there and feel very lucky that hopefully we will get enough to live on once benefits come through but this is so stressful and hard. Child benefit takes 12 weeks?! They are my children, i sent birth certificates etc and I have no income other than carers allowance.

OP posts:
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HuckfromScandal · 08/10/2017 08:21

Benefits will pay your £2k rent??
Wow

Sorry - not the point.
Surely your ex will be giving some financial support, and you will be looking for work as well?

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Crispsheets · 08/10/2017 08:23

Were you not getting child benefit already?
Sorry you're in such a difficult position

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LittleCandle · 08/10/2017 08:25

It is always worth phoning and asking what is going on. It is possible for them to 'rush' it through quicker than that. DD1 got money in less than 12 weeks (more like 3) because her partner walked out, leaving her a lone parent working full time with child care to pay for. give them a ring - they may be able to help.

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CosmicPineapple · 08/10/2017 08:32

You can apply for an advance on benefit payment OP.

You do pay it back but in small managable amounts.

www.gov.uk/short-term-benefit-advance

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Afreshstartplease · 08/10/2017 08:32

I think there is some sort of emergency early payment. Phone and ask

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Dancingfairy · 08/10/2017 09:41

I found them quick personally. Never took as long as it says with me. Always been a couple of weeks and yes it takes long as loads of people apply.

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DixieNormas · 08/10/2017 09:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DixieNormas · 08/10/2017 09:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WitchesHatRim · 08/10/2017 09:57

2k rent? I thought there was now a benefit cap?

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WhiskyTangoFoxtrot · 08/10/2017 10:04

It is always worth claiming CB (for the NI credit) even if you forego the cash element (not that that will help OP now) but if you get it paid and have it clawed back, then you still get it without interruption even when there are dramatic changes.

You'll probably need to start looking for less expensive housing asap (ideally before debt mounts). Though is (I assume recently buggered off) DH/DP named on the lease?

If you're stuck for food, see HV or GP for a foodbank referral.

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donajimena · 08/10/2017 10:04

There is a cap. I get hb but not to the value of my rent. So if you saw my house a judgy person might sau wow you get benefits for this?
Not even 50% is paid for. Also when I moved I had to pay 2k in fees bond and rent. OP might be referring to this.

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Fairylea · 08/10/2017 10:06

Op hasn’t said benefits are going to pay the whole of her rent to be fair.

I hope they come through soon, op. I remember being in your situation and it’s horrible.

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Crispsheets · 08/10/2017 10:13

Ah yes dixie

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MsGameandWatching · 08/10/2017 10:19

If it's back paid from the date paid then it could easily be £2k. Just making snidey little comments about claiming benefits really aren't you?

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WitchesHatRim · 08/10/2017 10:20

If it's back paid from the date paid then it could easily be £2k. Just making snidey little comments about claiming benefits really aren't you

Nope. Can't people ask questions anymore?

HTH

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MsGameandWatching · 08/10/2017 10:21

Date claimed not paid.

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MsGameandWatching · 08/10/2017 10:22

Sure they can. And they can expect to be pulled up on it when they're being snide.

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MurielsBottom · 08/10/2017 10:22

Have you chased any of the benefits up? In my experience some are quicker than others. We applied for esa in the summer and received our first payment within one week of applying. Child tax credits took two weeks. The longest was housing benefit which took a staggering two months to start paying.

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juliascurr · 08/10/2017 10:23

it takes a long time to make it really unattractive so as to support the constant monstering of people on benefits for any reason. Irrelevant if you are coming out of a domestic violence refuge, on zero hours contract with 2 jobs, anything. The film 'I, Daniel Blake ' shows how grim it is. Hope you get it sorted soon

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MyDcAreMarvel · 08/10/2017 10:24

No the op won't be looking for work as she is a carer. She is also exempt from the benefits cap.

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WitchesHatRim · 08/10/2017 10:25

And they can expect to be pulled up on it when they're being snide.

Snide, in your opinion. It was a question. I'll run any questions past you in future to see if they are ok before posting.

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MsGameandWatching · 08/10/2017 10:26

Unnecessary. Just try not to be snide and you'll be fine Smile.

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NoNamesLeft86 · 08/10/2017 11:50

Sorry I wasnt clear. I forgot people would judge and was just having a rant really because im really stressed.

Housing benefit wont be paying £2k rent. Its a new tenancy so paying up front lump sum.

Im moving away from a controlling relationship where I wasnt allowed to claim child benefit because he would pay it back as earnt 70k ish.

So starting again with nothing and 4 children, 3 who are special Needs.

OP posts:
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NoNamesLeft86 · 08/10/2017 12:56

Also. I am putting my tax credits etc towards the rent as housing benefit dont cover it all. Their LHA is really unrealistic considering whats actually avaliable to rent here. Id be very suprised if anybody got their full rent covered in this area tbh.

OP posts:
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bettycat81 · 08/10/2017 16:30

OP as it pp's have said chase them up. Also the council can give emergency loans. I understand completely regarding the disparity between lha and private rental prices. I'm in a similar position too x

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