Housing benefit problems

[Ginqueen20]

I have received a letter stating I am getting too much housing benefit for my hours and pay and it has been worked out that I’m no longer entitled to any help and that I owe several hundred. I have re checked on the benefit calculators and it shows that I am still entitled to what I received before and comparing to friends in my position they get considerably more than me anyway. I haven’t had a change of circumstances so this has come out of the blue as I have been in my job for years. For some back ground I work 16 hours minimum wage and I’m a single parent. I know their decision is wrong but how do I challenge it? I can’t get through on their customer service line so I emailed but I know this can take some time for a reply. I’m scared stiff as I can’t afford the full rent and full council tax bill on my wage and I’m worried we will be evicted. Has anyone been through this and can advise what to do please?

Please anyone?
I finally spoke to an ‘expert’ who claims it’s because I was paid an extra £40 for training which means I’m no longer entitled, but putting that wage into the calculator I’m still entitled to the same as before and certainly shouldn’t have made such a huge drop in housing benefit. So confused

Was the extra 40 a one off payment?

Ask for a breakdown and contact citizens advice. Sorry if I’m not much help but I don’t know much about benefits other than DLA. I hope you get it all sorted.

On your letter, usually an immensely long one, towards the back there is the appeals process, usually. It will say something like: 'What to do if you don't agree with this decision'. That will briefly explain the process.

There is a sample letter on Shelter's website here: england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_overpayments explaining how to appeal this decision. You must ask for it to be reviewed, first. There's a step by step explanation of what you need to write in your letter here:

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_revisions_and_appeals

As they explain, it's usually better to go directly to the council office and speak to a person. (Stay calm! Deep breaths!) Good luck xx

Thanks for replying yes it was one off I’ve had to do some training recently so I understand a slight adjustment to reflect that, but withdrawing any help altogether is unfair, they claim it’s accurate.

No mention of an appeal process which they usually include, it basically states it as final

You need to go to citizens advice.
Sorry not much help as don't really understand the whole benefits system etc.
Good luck hope you get it sorted

It's not final. You have the right to review. I would immediately put this into action, as it's time limited, by completing the letter following the Shelter template. If you can get to CA then also do that but I know sometimes it's very difficult to get an appointment with them and you definitely need to start the process within 30 days.

Thank you I will go there tomorrow to speak to someone face to face, do you think bank statements are accepted for proof of income as I don’t get pay slips? Thanks

Why don't you get payslips?

You are entitled to payslips by law if you are employed (1991) : fmpglobal.co.uk/resources/useful-info/uk-payslip-law/ . Your employer must provide them, so they might insist. It's worth taking the bank statements anyway.

If you are self employed as a sole trader you will have to supply trading accounts.

Ate you getting paid cash in hand?

Ate you getting paid cash in hand?

Not cash in hand, employed legally in a school, but the company I work for have never given out pay slips and no one has questioned it, I wasn’t aware it was a legal requirement tbh!

www.google.com/amp/s/www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/payslip-law-changes%3fhs_amp=true

Read this link OP. Then request copies of yours.

How have any of the staff there been able to buy a house or take out a loan etc?.

Are you sure you don't get an online copy of your pay slip somewhere? Mine is emailed and my OH actually logs into an app now to get his

Is it a state school? An academy? A private school?

The only reason I can think for not doing payslips is if they are fiddling tax and NI. Unless you mean that they do payslips electronically only? Did they offer to email them to you?

Log on to your personal tax and NI account at gov.uk and check what the official records say for what you are being paid. If it doesn't tally with your records you may be in for a world of grief if your NI contributions haven't been made.