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Original poster

Housing benefit form

37 replies

lollipoprainbow · 04/07/2022 18:05

I've been randomly sent an application form to apply for housing benefit even though I have been claiming for years! The letter stated I had been randomly selected to check I am still eligible. I called up the housing benefit office and they said it's been randomly requested by the DWP. It's made me feel like I'm being checked up on and I feel uneasy about it. Anyone else been asked to do this ??

OP posts:

CrossStichQueen · 04/07/2022 18:11

If you are already claiming HB then you don't need to claim again. HB is I believe paid directly by your council and is not a benefit that the DWP have anything to do with its the councils own benefit department.

The HB team do ask for further info if the DWP alert them to a change in your circumstances such as legacy benefit stopping or you turn pension age. Have you had a change in circumstances?

UsedToBeAtAmber · 04/07/2022 18:18

Hi. I'm a benefit advisor. A percentage of claims are picked at random for checks. Or you could be asked to complete a form if you have a change coming up eg a child due to turn 18. Is it an intervention/review form you have received? You have nothing to worry about, just fill it in and provide the requested evidence or let them know about any changes.

Hwory · 04/07/2022 22:17

It’s a review form (known as an intervention). You’ve been randomly selected by the computer. Thousands of people have received them.

carty1313 · 22/10/2022 13:48

@lollipoprainbow her I've been sent one as well what info did they ask for.

Topcats1 · 22/10/2022 15:21

I’ve been ask to do a review of benefits. Provide bank staments, payslips. I was told a couple of years ago that tax credits tell housing benefit your income as you do the claim each year. Is this true? If they do, then why do I need to send my payslips and bank statement as they already know how much I earn. I’m happy to send it but seems strange. Also I’ve claimants housing benefit knows your earnings each month so why do they also have to do this full claim review!

Topcats1 · 22/10/2022 15:32

I was sent a letter for a full benefit review you do it online and given a code
need to send bank statement, payslips. Been in the same job for 10 years, no changes, no kids nearly 16. My understanding was tax credits inform housing benefit of my income and tax credit award amount each year. And uc claims are sent each month. So why are these benefit reviews being sent out?

Atmywitsend29 · 22/10/2022 15:33

Sounds like a review form.
We've had loads of our tenants issued these and if they don't respond then their benefit is stopped.

Hwory · 22/10/2022 15:34

@Topcats1 The tax credits department don’t report any of your changes to HB other than your CTC/WTC amount.

HMRC & HB do data matching if your earnings change over a certain limit (and if HB gets to it)

Full reviews are a requirement for claiming HB (and for the council to get the funding). Earnings aren’t the only changes that can effect HB also.

Topcats1 · 22/10/2022 15:44

Yes it says to reply in 30days. Do you send the full bank statement or the first page (that shows how much has gone in and out, bank account number, date, name and address)

Topcats1 · 22/10/2022 15:46

my wages haven’t gone up more that 400 in the last 7 years and I’m sure I’ve had a review as I’ve only been in my home 7years

no changes in circumstances so will send it all, but dt understand why they can’t just contact Dow tax credits to get all this information.

LouKelly · 30/12/2022 19:26

Ok , don't panic but , they are defo suspicious of u . They have been alerted by someone for some reason . Any different activity in your bank account ? Extra money from some where ? Some one who thinks your car is too nice for your income ? A jealous neighbour , family member or 'friend ' ? whatever or whoever summats up .

Hwory · 30/12/2022 20:53

LouKelly · 30/12/2022 19:26

You are incorrect. It isn’t a fraud review it’s the standard annual housing benefit review. Every year (excluding covid years) each council review a percentage of their claimants. The selection is random none of it is specified through an allegation or any other fact finding.

LouKelly · 30/12/2022 22:30

No , I'm not incorrect . I'm 100 per cent correct . I don't mind if u wish to argue with me , I know what I know and it's impossible for me to not know it now that I do .

RiderOfTheBlue · 30/12/2022 22:33

@LouKelly This was posted 6 months age, pretty sure it'll all be sorted by now.

Lightuptheroom · 30/12/2022 22:57

@LouKelly you are incorrect about this. Housing benefit can be reviewed any time the council decides to review it (this isn't universal credit by the way) There are people still on 'legacy' housing benefit.
For anyone else worrying (this thread was 6 months ago and the letter asks you to respond within 28 days) it's nothing sinister, you just supply your 2 months bank statements and evidence of other benefits, wages or pensions and they send you the new calculation.
It's to avoid people ending up being overpaid. Just done the form for my parents, sorted about 2 weeks after submitting.

Hwory · 31/12/2022 00:00

@LouKelly You are incorrect.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-benefit-adjudication-circulars-2022/a52022-housing-benefit-award-accuracy-initiative-for-financial-year-ending-march-2023

Elthria · 10/01/2023 18:39

I don't buy that these full case reviews are "random" that's the same bull that our council has told us, we have today just received the letter to fill out our 5th full case review in the last 2 and a half years. Yes that's one full case review randomly assigned exactly every 6 months for the last 2 and a half years. There is no chance in hell that these are randomly assigned.

Elthria · 10/01/2023 18:57

Sorry but I do not believe that these full case reviews are random, if they were random there is no chance in hell that my family would have been asked to complete one every 6 months for the last 2 and a half years.

m3109 · 14/01/2023 21:30

what happens once they conclude this check? Do they send you another letter.

I received one today and filled it in online.

LakieLady · 15/01/2023 18:27

Elthria · 10/01/2023 18:57

In your case, I'm inclined to agree. The odds against the same name being selected at random so often must be huge. Do you have self-employed income? I've known SE people being sent reviews annually, but never six-monthly.

They are usually random though.

R2023 · 19/02/2023 11:38

I’ve also received one. This is the first time ever. Benefits haven’t been stopped it this random or investigation. I’m a little worried as I’ve never had this before.

Lightuptheroom · 19/02/2023 14:43

It's random. It's not an investigation. Complete it and send it back by the date requested, with bank statements etc and they will confirm the amount of your housing benefit.
Housing benefit won't be stopped providing you send form and information they are requesting.
It's also getting near to the end of the financial year which sometimes means councils run random checks to make sure people's awards are correct.

R2023 · 19/02/2023 15:15

Thank you very much this has helped and put my mind at ease

Ansell · 06/05/2023 12:04

Just reading this thread. I received a review letter Wednesday. Do they get back to you about it and if so how long usually?

R2023 · 06/05/2023 15:50

They don’t get back to you tbh. No one got back to me. It was just a review. You fill it out and that’s it. If an issue they’ll contact you.

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