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Original poster

Housing benefit and working

33 replies

Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 13:34

Hi jus wondering if anyone knows the answer to the following...
I am single parent and on housing benefit and tax credits how ever i have started doing more hours at work as i need more money.. when i applied for housing benefit they asked for 2 months wages slips then gave me my monthly award.. however since then iv increased my hours and my pay has increased by about £250-£300 pm.. does anyone know if they ever randomly check wage slips or am i safe to continue

OP posts:
TantrumsAndBalloons · 20/07/2017 13:36

Safe to continue what?

You need to inform them if your income goes up

Original poster
Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 13:37

I am only going to do it for few months to get more money though

OP posts:
Notreallyarsed · 20/07/2017 13:39

They do check through HMRC at the end of the tax year to see if you're still entitled to the same amount, same as tax credits. I think it could potentially be an issue down the line, so I'd call them and tell them that your income has increased, that way you keep yourself right and won't have any nasty surprises down the line.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 20/07/2017 13:39

I am only going to do it for few months to get more money though

You should inform them.

Original poster
Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 13:40

If i inform them my award will decrease kinda defeating the object

OP posts:
NaiceToMeetYou · 20/07/2017 13:41

Well if you carry on you're kinda committing benefit fraud Hmm

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 20/07/2017 13:42

If i inform them my award will decrease kinda defeating the object

So you want to commit benefit fraud then?

If you don't tell them, you are getting more money than you are entitled to.

Original poster
Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 13:43

Thats the thing tho if they dont ask for my wage slips il be ok i guess

OP posts:
Justhadmyhaircut · 20/07/2017 13:44

When I was on MA I got £40 extra than wages and hb took the £40 off the hb benefit. Shit but that's the way it works unfortunately.

You risk them cancelling your hb altogether when the find out. Any changes must be made within 28 days or you risk them stopping it. .

NaiceToMeetYou · 20/07/2017 13:44

Why are you posting? You're obviously going to do it anyway. Your short term windfall will even out in April when you get the overpayment demand Smile

CryptoFascist · 20/07/2017 13:45

They can and do ask for wage slips randomly.

Original poster
Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 13:46

Im not looking for arguments i just asked if they ever randomly ask for wage slips

OP posts:
Imspartacusforreal · 20/07/2017 14:02

Are you saying you want to knowingly commit benefit fraud? Surely it doesn't make sense to work more money if you'll lose the benefit money. Why do you feel you are entitled to both

Original poster
Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 14:04

Entitled to both?

OP posts:
Auspiciouspanda · 20/07/2017 14:08

I'm a housing benefit assessor, every month we get RTI (real time information) reports from HMRC as a data matching exercise to check if people's wages have increased without us being informed. Usually takes about four months for people to come up on these reports but we go back and raise overpayments.

Since April we have also been given access to check this information at any time so if you had a change in any of your other circumstances you'd also be caught out that way.

Benefit fraud isn't taken lightly you know.

Original poster
Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 14:10

Goin of what your saying i should be fine then.. i did it at xmas and no1 comtacted me

OP posts:
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 20/07/2017 14:12

Thats the thing tho if they dont ask for my wage slips il be ok i guess

Incorrect as has been pointed out by a number of people.

You will get caught. Thinking you won't is very naive.

Bombardier25966 · 20/07/2017 14:13

Why do you think you're entitled to defraud the state Mummy, taking money from a limited pot that we all pay into?

They will catch up with you, every authority does data matching now. When they do you'll get a penalty of £50, plus 30% of the overpayment because your actions were fraudulent. That's the absolute minimum, and it's on top of the overpayment itself. Worth it?

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 20/07/2017 14:14

Goin of what your saying i should be fine then.. i did it at xmas and no1 comtacted me

Well as someone has said, the system has changed so no you won't 'be ok then'.

You are commuting benefit fraud whichever way you want to dress it up.

You are claiming money you aren't entitled to.

Babyroobs · 20/07/2017 14:14

You need to inform both tax credits and housing benefit of wage increases or you will end up having to pay money back. If you dont inform them then they will catch up with you anyway.

Original poster
Mummyto1boy · 20/07/2017 14:15

Im not saying im entitled but wat option do i have sick of having no money

OP posts:
AndNowItIsSeven · 20/07/2017 14:16

Yes they randomly ask , does you ds have a DF or will you be relying on foster care when you are charged with fraud?

NaiceToMeetYou · 20/07/2017 14:16

I'm calling GF now.

Bombardier25966 · 20/07/2017 14:18

You find a way to increase your income legitimately and/ or decrease your outgoings. What do you think the rest of us when times are tough? (Clue: not commit fraud.)

gamerchick · 20/07/2017 14:18

Yep ^

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