Has anyone else done this?

[LostInSockLand]

Not claimed something you were entitled to because of the problems and stress it caused?

what like?

Like a benefit you would be entitled to for example...should have probably said stopped claiming, would have made more sense! (Forgive me, my brain is fried today).

then only if you can do without it. i hated having to claim but couldnt have survived without it. tho the IS system was a lot easier back then.

if you already claim then stopping might cause even more stress?

I dont know...i'm already in the process of going bankrupt (well a cheaper version of it) and trying to move house so I have enough on my plate really. I have been up to my ears in paperwork this week when I should have been paying attention to the kids...is it really worth it I wonder?

I didn't bother claiming CTB when I started my current job. I would of been entitled to something like £1.50 a week or something like that. Which is still £78 over the year (a lot on my budget). But they wanted proof of everything (child care costs, what I get in maintenance etc) and they still come out to check on you once a year (look at bank statememts, ask questions etc).
And they'd just turn up and be really arsy funny that I hadn't been in for a few days. I had to point out to the woman that I WAS working not on IS anymore so of course I was going to be out at work in the day...

When I was on IS my only income was benefits, so it was quite simple and putting up with the annual visit was fine. And even the first job I got when I had no childcare needs and was still getting something like £10 a week CAB wasn't too bad with minimal paperwork still.
But with my next job it was such a hassle for a minimal amount, childcare costs only for the hols so weekly amount varied but would have meant I could of got more, ex was paying maintenance by then and I wasn't sure how much effect that had (but he woudln't always pay what/when he was meant too so that paperwork was a muddle). I didn't need the hassle on top of trying to juggle everything else.
So I just didn't bother! Even though I'd get letters via school etc which said lots of people entitled to HB and CTB weren't claiming and was I one of them. Yes I was but it wasn't worth the hassle and stress for what it was!

Nobody comes out to you over Child Tax Credit! I was getting that when my children were younger, and have never been asked what maintenance I got or to show them bank statements.

I'm not sure whether they do that for housing benefit, but certainly not for CTC.

CTB is council tax benefit

i stopped claiming housing benefit last year because they were making so many mistakes. every week i was getting a new letter, dated the previous week telling me my situation had changed and i was no longer entitled/was now entitled to X amount. it was very frustrating. i couldn't plan my finances from one week to the next so i stopped claiming until i was no longer working and then i knew there would be no reason for them to find a change in circumstance every week. i couldn't do without it permanently though and my exp was able to help me out when things got tight.