When I moved out of home with exH I started privately renting and claimed housing benefit. I got a bit messed over, as I was told from 7 april last year the system was changing and you'd get assessed up to a certain amount for the size of family you have, as opposed to a certain amount for the house they decided you should have. Eg I wanted a two bed (which they agreed I needed with two dc) but it was supposed to be under 700 a month as that was their 'decided' amount, and they said they wouldn't agree to me having a three bed as I only needed a two bed, even if it was cheaper. The only two bed I could get was 775, which they were hesitant over, but eventually agreed. Then my moving in date was 7th april, so under the new rules it was up to 750 for any size property. However they told me I could put my forms in early and be assessed under new rules, which I did (only about 2 days) and they said as I'd put them in early I would only be assessed under old rules (even though claim only started on 7th!!!) I argued it but they ignored my complaints and I gave up. Penalised for putting it in early!!!
So I moved house this april, and thought hey new rules, new house is 800 and 3 bed, but that shouldn't matter. After we'd moved in, and was all settled I phoned to let them know we'd moved and ask what I needed to submit to them (figured they'd be paying me slightly more under the new rules and I didn't mind if it took longer) and the lady on the phone said I should have submitted it prior to moving as if you do it late you can't usually claim for the bit you have missed, but as I had a good reason (ie had no idea of this as was the first time I've moved during claiming, had started a new shift-work job 2 days after moving in etc et) it would be fine, she promised. When I got the form she had initialed and dated it for the date she'd sent it, I assumed so that there would be no query for it being any later.
I filled it all in, took it in with the paperwork, explained and the person behind desk said yep all fine would hear back soon.
Now I've got award through which makes NO sense. It says I have been overpaid since february (I have no idea how they'd work that out as my income hasn't changed and not one piece of paperwork I showed them was even from february.)
Plus it says I was over paid £500 from april (for the whole of april) plus loads since... except I haven't received a cheque from them since before I moved, plus it's like 2 months backdated anyways!!
And looking at the form, don't know where my old ones are that say what my income was, but it says my benefit is now about £40 lower than it was previously, not including the overpayment deductions...
So now I have been not only penalised for putting forms in later, but it's all a massive mess!!
I'm sorry this is probably more like a massive rant than anything else, but can anyone advise on the months rent that they've overpaid? It just makes me so mad every letter benefits sends comes on a saturday so you spend two days and nights panicking and worrying