Cruel behaviour

[Mich1975]

I've just moved into a lovely new property I was told I was getting 2500 pounds for downsizing now I have rent arrears that I've been paying religiously out of my benefits now Wythenshawe community housing have told me there having the lot with me getting a measly 277 now I could understand if I had never bothered to pay anything but I have been paying for years can they do thus to me can anyone give me any information please xxx

i suggest you ask to see the policy that covers this, it might be part of your Tenancy agreement or part of decant/downsizing process, or even compensation.
it is often written that if you owe them £ and you are awarded £, that it goes to the arrears first, but it’s not assumed unless in writing.

im sure you had plans for that £

So to clarify you are getting the £2500 but £2233 is going on arrears? You owe that money, of course debt should be paid first. That’s one less monthly outgoing you will have though.

Sadly it’s not unusual if you owe someone money, they deduct what you owe them before giving you more.
I’m surprised it wasn’t explained to you when they knew you had arrears, that the amount would be deducted off.

Ah, I can see that this must be disappointing.

Presumably you do owe them the amount they’re taking?

At least that debt won’t be hanging over you anymore and you won’t have to be finding the repayments out of your benefits any more either.

I can see why they have done this, even if you do think its unfair.

At least the money will be paid, and you haven't really "lost anything" sounds like the payment is a bonus/incentive and you now don't have to pay the arrears.

We had a small debt from a miscalculation in child tax credits (wasn't even our fault, they made the mistake) but when I claimed job seekers for a couple of months years after we stopped being entitled, they took the debt back off my first payment

Well you can’t blame them really .
Can’t you frame it as a fresh start ?
It’ll feel good to have no arrears .
Could you save the money you were being deducted and put it towards whatever plans you had for the 2k?

It all makes sense. You've a lovely new property, arrears cleared. New start.

If you were paying back so.slowly you can't blame them trying to sort it quicker. Better for you really as you are now up to date.

Is your new place cheaper too?