Housing Benefit

[PinotGirl]

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice. I applied for housing benefit on 05.10.05 but was missing my child benefit form, my current tax credit form and proof of childcare. I got all those submitted by 20.11.05 which was fine. I called the council office on Monday chasing it up as they had said it would only take 2 weeks to process. She said they hadn't yet processed it but they would write when they had.

I called again today (I'm not patient and I'm broke) and the bloke, who was really helpful, said they couldn't find the "proof" of my child benefit and tax credit but he said he could see from the system I had taken it in. He went off to look for it and called me back asking me to resubmit.

Anyone know if I should be pushy and asked it's done immediately in light of the fact that THEY lost it? I have used the entitledto.com website and I should be getting about £70 week which will make so much difference to us plus it will be backdated to 05.10.05 which is needed.

Find out who your case worker is and ask to speak to them, and jsut keep calling until you get somewhere. I've had nightmares with housing benefit in the past, including living at an address that 'didn't exist'. You have to keep pushing sometiems to get anywhere with them.

Just keep on at them, the more you contact them, the quicker they get it done IME.

yes definitely ring them and let them know youre really upset with their mistake. ive had to deal with housing benefit losing my documents for years!it drives me mad,a few tears genuine or not always makes em hurry up!

I agree. phone them EVERY single day if you have to.

the more you pester the them the more they want to get you sorted to avoid your 'annoying' phone calls!

I have been calling them every other day since last week. Today the man I spoke with said that it was not necessary, they would contact me by mail with their decision. I then went on to remind him they'd lost my proofs, not me, so why isn't a priority a priority. He even had the nerve to say that it might get sorted this week but might not. I'm furious.

when you next ring and have a conversation with someone before you end the call say "can I have your name please" in your most politest voice. this always stuns them that they might be in trouble if their name is given to someone higher. also ask to speak to the manager and like you have been remind them that its bloody xmas time and its their fault youre left short of money because of their crappy filing system!it really winds me up because ive been there so many times.xx

Have you tried going up the office? Soemtimes you can get further if you are there in person.

When i had problems i emailed them! Got a response from the benfits manager( instead of the monkeys) , and things were cleared up straight away!
I just email him now with any query!!