To ask for advice about benefits?

[UnacceptableWidge]

I'm a little reluctant to ask about this on AIBU but as it tends to be the topic that pops up on active threads the most I'm guessing my post is more likely to be seen here.

We have recently been given an award letter from the housing benefit department and our HB has dropped to zero. The only change of circumstance we have had recently is that our DSs days at private nursery have increased as my DM is not well enough to care for him as she had been doing.

We applied for the tax credits childcare assistance and were given that, so 70% of the fees. Am I right in thinking that is the change that has meant we now don't get the help with our rent?

I have an appointment to see somebody about this but not until 3 weeks time as I have a day off then.
I'm just wondering if anyone else has claimed for assistance with rent and childcare before and would therefore know if the childcare is classed as 'income'?

I would post on "money" about this, you'll get more useful advice and less snarky comments about people on benefits.

Have you provided proof of the amount of childcare you are paying to the Housing Benefit office? Chances are that they have received notification of the amount of Tax Credits you are receiving and they have acted upon it, not taking into account that your childcare costs have increased.

The amount you pay in childcare should be disregarded from your earnings (up to a maximum of 175 per week for one child or 30 per week for two or more children).

You need to get proof of your childcare costs to the HB office as soon as possible, but definitely within a month of the date of the award letter.

Sorry, that should say 300 per week for two or more children

Thank you soggysandpit and apprenticeviper
I will repost on money once I can work out how to copy and paste.
Am slightly concerned in light of your advice that my appointment is so far from now. I'll post the evidence and hope that the information getting to them beforehand means they have the full facts about our income and outgoings.

They will have only seen that your tax credits have increased, so they are using this as income. You have to take a letter from your childcare provider and they will look at your claim again. Some give you a form to fill in so you should take a look on your council's web site (it's quicker).

Thanks ladysybil
I don't think I need to figure out how to copy and paste, the posters on this thread are all saying the same thing and it makes perfect sense.
Thank you all for your advice and for proving that AIBU is not merely a nest of vicious vipers looking for a fight

You're welcome. I hope you get it sorted

hope it gets sorted soon OP x

HB is based on what money you have "available" ie after basic living costs - that amount is given a 65/35 split and one of them needs to be spent on rent.

If you were paying nursery fees before and you're paying less now - they're saying that you should use that "available" money for your rent.

Ask them for a breakdown.