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Original poster

Need some LEGAL advice. COD or anyone!!!!!

53 replies

pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 22:14

Ahem, testing!!

OP posts:
Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:21

Where from 40+?
IS woman told me there are no "set" rules, so how can they say we're breaking them???

OP posts:
fortyplus · 19/03/2007 23:22

Herts - Dacorum

Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:22

I have been totally honest and look what happened.

This is so unfair, not that that's their problem!!

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Hillary · 19/03/2007 23:23

Is it furnashed or unfurnashed?

You could have a chat with your landlord, explain the situation to him/her (obviously if they're not going to pay you).

Dont pannic thats the main thing, I know its difficult, I have also had alot of dealings with IS & council etc, you can get your IS & HB backdated, you need to apply for a crisis loan for the maximum ammount & keep your fingers crossed you get it, doubtfull you will but theres always hope. Is there anyone you can borrow from? What about his mother?

If its unfurnashed it will take alot for a landlord to evict you, there's the month owing, then he has to give you notice, then he has to get court order - don't let this worry you its just how it goes it won't go against you. It probably wont come to that but you cant just be evicted.

If however you are evicted you will be placed in emergency accommodation where you will be looked into by the council to see if it was your fault you were homeless (if you leave before court order of eviction they will think you intentionally homeless and you will be pooped) otherwise you will stay in emergency accommodation until the council can house you.

But first off apply for a crisis loan or something and see what tomorrow brings, you can worry about the rest later.

Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:24

LOL, I meant where can these booklets be found.
Also are you not allowed to have people staying over, even for the kids. Aren't you allowed a life?

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fortyplus · 19/03/2007 23:28

The council should have a booklet. of course you can have people to stay, but dp regularly Fri/Sat/Sun is pushing it, I'm afraid. It does seem harsh but benefits are supposed to be a safety net - not something for people who choose to live together for half the week. But I wish you luck

Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:28

Hillary, I know of people around here stuck in B+B's for 3/4 years as are no council houses left.

OP posts:
Hillary · 19/03/2007 23:28

No! in a word you're not.

Where abouts are you?

You can speak to Shelter - I'l fish through and get their details for you they can act on your behalf too where it comes to housing (I didn't actually find them much help at all but you can get advice from them) also you can get online information (booklets) from CAB.

Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:29

Thank you everyone. Fingers crossed.

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Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:30

Have been to CAB

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Hillary · 19/03/2007 23:32

I know, I'v been in emergency accommodation and spent 18 months in B&B moving from place to place (never staying anywhere for more than 4 weeks) then found private rental, my landlord sold the property before 6 months, I couldn't find another who would accept HB & spent another 2 years in emergency accommodation! Its no joke.

fortyplus · 19/03/2007 23:32

pissedoffparent - I think your best bet is to take the bull by the horns and remain adamant that your relationship has broken down for the time being. Then don't let him stay as you know they will be investigating you. The last thing you need is to get your benefits stopped and end up in a B&B.

Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:35

Good advice. dc1 will be so upset if he's never there tho. But better than living in a b+b.

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Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:35

Hillary
Got the feeling you were talking from bitter experience

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Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:37

Forty+. If they're already investigating will it make a difference if we change things now?

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Original poster
pissedoffparent · 19/03/2007 23:41

I have to go to bed. DC's and I are all ill. Am exhausted. Thanks so much for your advice. Am now 100X more paranoid, and nervous than I was, but also on my guard.
Hope I can sleep. Will be checking in the am if you have anything more to add.
Thanks again.

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fortyplus · 19/03/2007 23:42

You did say you've already told them he stays over at weekends?

If so then no point back tracking - just make it clear that you will no longer allow it.

If I think of the people who deal with this where I work, they get so fed up with the lying bullshitters that if someone is genuinely seeking help and being truthful and reasonable they find it a refreshing change and go out of their way to sort things out.

Councils are funny things, though, the culture varies a lot from one to another. I think our lot are pretty good.

fortyplus · 19/03/2007 23:43

pissedoffparent - Hope you sleep ok and good luck for tomorrow

Original poster
pissedoffparent · 20/03/2007 07:10

Bump

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Original poster
pissedoffparent · 20/03/2007 08:37

anyone??

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Helennn · 20/03/2007 09:24

There was a series about this on TV a while ago, following people under investigation for benefit fraud. It seems they watch for the person not supposed to be living at the address making a financial contribution to the household, ie going shopping, going out for meals etc. I remember one woman's boyfriend had bought her a hamburger at a burger van and they used this against her.

Really hope today is not too bad for you and you can find an agreeable way forward.

Freckle · 20/03/2007 09:34

Well, look at it from their point of view. You've told them you are still a couple (if I've read that right), he stays at his mum's for 4 nights and at yours for 3 nights. His car is parked almost permanently outside your house. He visits daily.

You have said that you can't afford for him to move back in, so what you are effectively saying is that, whilst the state pays for you and your children (through IS and CTC), your dp is earning money to pay off debts.

I can see that you are struggling to make a go of your relationship which has been put under pressure by these debts, but the IS people will not accept that their role is to assist you by maintaining you and your dcs whilst dp earns money to discharge debts.

Don't jump on me. I'm trying to portray the situation from IS's pov.

J20BABY · 20/03/2007 09:41

i got reported and the bloke that came to see me said their are no set rules, they don't want to stop you from having a life but they can only look at the way other families and lone parents live.

2 or 3 nights a week is too much in their opinion, you may have to say hat he will not be staying anymore, because they will stop your benefits

J20BABY · 20/03/2007 09:43

also he said that if we where seen doing family things, like going shopping then that would be seen as still being a family and would have to claim together, can you not claim tax credits or would this not be worth it?

wishing you the best of luck and let us know how it goes x x

J20BABY · 20/03/2007 19:50

pop how did it go?