IS question, scared to call benefits office back, any help appreciated

[Djonma]

Me and my two kids have been living in privately rented accommodation and claiming housing benefit since my ex (not their dad), left us. I am also on income support. I can't cope anymore - the HB barely coveres two thirds of the rent now (my ex used to pay it, when he moved out I claimed HB), and it is only going to get worse. Our rent is actually quite low for the area so I don't have much hope of finding somewhere cheaper even with the cuts they are bringing in. So I am moving in with my parents. I am not thrilled about this and neither are my girls (or my parents!), but it's the way it is.

I rang the HB dept for advice and they told me to write with the details - they also stopped my benefit from the date of the phonecall (not telling me they would be doing so), and sent me an invoice for overpayment from a year ago, so not only do I not have the money for my next rent payment but they want £500 off me too! So that wasn't ideal really.

I have another query but for the above reasons am scared to ring the benefits office again - I wondered if someone could tell me if I'll stop getting income support too? My parents aren't wealthy and have made it clear they have no intention of supporting us financially - I've been asked to chip in a bit towards the cost of the house, and will be buying all our food and supplies etc. So I need the money!

I know they care if you are living with a partner because of the assumption the partner will be financaially supporting you, will they care I am living with my folks under the same assumption?

If I write and give them my new address, will they stop my benefit and make me fill out all the forms again?

Any advice on not making my parents feel too invaded also gratefully recieved! Girls are 4 and 6 and nice kids but I know my parents are always commenting on the noise etc when we are over.

Do you get only two thirds of the rent because you were in a three bed house, when in the councils eyes, your dds should have shared?.. What about finding a 2 bed in your area if this is the case?

I don't understand why the council want you to pay HB back,when you haven't moved to your parents yet.. Is it possible they think you've already moved?

I used to claim IS but was never in your situation, so don't know the answer, sorry.. how about going to the citizens advice?

Good luck!

We are in a two-bed already. HB scales around here - if we moved into a one bed it'd be less again. Our rent is cheap for a 2 bed around here but obviously is over whatever they consider a reasonable limit for a 2 bed in the borough.

The overpayment is from ages ago apparently - I don't understand either. They've sent all the letters about it to my address here not my parents house so if I had moved out I wouldn't've got them!

No CAB appts til after we've moved unfortunately.

check here www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx make sure there is nothing you are not claiming you should be it weird you only getting two thirds rent paid have they given you a reason is it that they have deemed the property not up together enough if so you can get a pre tenancy determination on any houses you rent in future that will tell you the maximum housing benefit they will pay and provided it is correct size for your family that is what they pay

Does your rent include anything i.e water rates??..If not, that is crap! how the hell are you supposed to make up the difference??..

Do you have the letters from HB? I would ring them, and say i didn't understand exactly when the overpayments were made.. ask them to explain! If they want the money back immediately will they let you do a monthly payment plan?

Do you have a 'lone parent advisor' at your job centre?? Think they all have them now,she can advise re. the IS..

LesbianMummyt - the new LHA has the same rate for everyone on that scale of benefit,

So all people entitled to LHA for a 2 bedrrom house in the OP's area will (or should) all get the same amount.

You can check the LHA rates (and your bedroom entitlement) on the LHA website