What to declare to Housing Benefits?

[amyvalley1]

I don't know if anyone can help, I am going back to work next month for 16 hours a week, but I worked 4 hours a week this month as catch up days, only earnt £132. I'm currently in temporary accommodation with my 9 month old daughter and receive housing benefit to help with my rent. I worked out that the £132 does not make a difference to my housing benefit as im still taking home less than £500 a month.. but.. my company apparently owed me some tax and have stuck an extra £650 in my pay! I thought this was a mistake but the company accountant told me it's correct as I suffered some tax at the beginning of the year (before I went on mat leave). I asked him if it will affect my benefits and he said no, it is tax owed to me, not earnings and I only declare my earnings. And to enjoy it and treat my daughter! I can't help thinking if i dont tell housing benefit i may get into trouble? I have proof of the email from my company accountant if anything comes back to me down the line I guess. im just paranoid housing benefit will accuse me of not declaring extra money and I'll get fined or worse off, thrown off the housing list. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Tell housing benefit, as they may well know anyway through RTI & then be suspicious as to why you haven’t told them...unless you’re trying to hide something.
Best to declare everything than be caught out hiding something

We had a similar thing happen to us and I told HB and showed them the proof. They were happy it was a one off and it didn't affect our HB award. I would advise you tell them asap and provide them with info as to where the money has come from.

“the company accountant told me it's correct as I suffered some tax at the beginning of the year (before I went on mat leave). I asked him if it will affect my benefits and he said no, it is tax owed to me, not earnings and I only declare my earnings.”

Absolute nonsense, how irresponsible of him to say that.

You have to declare all income when claiming benefits. If your income fluctuates because of changing hours or whatever, it’s a good idea to regularly provide copies of your payslips to the council benefits team, so they can recalculate your entitlement if necessary. The problem of not telling them is that you might end up with an overpayment that you have to pay back, it might get deducted from future benefit payments which will be a problem if you’re not expecting it and haven’t budgeted for it.

Op an accountant isn’t a housing benefits assessor & wouldn’t know the rules they have to follow, it’s very different from tax rules.

Just take in the payslip with the tax rebate showing, to your district council - so they are aware, or email in if that how they operate

yes I will tell them after the bank holiday as I don't want it to see like I'm hiding anything and if it affects my HB then so be it. I rather would pay what I owe than keep it and worry. I have just never had a tax rebate on a pay slip before, apparently that's an old way of doing it and employer then claims it back from hmrc

He's been a company accountant for decades so I assumed he knew what he's talking about but I'm going to speak to HB after the bank holiday anyway and show them everything as I'll just worry otherwise. I have already provided them with my new contract but my company gives us bonus some months so need to email my pay slips over every month as my HB will change when we do get bonus. it's frustrating as if i work harder and achieve bonus I don't see it as it goes straight on rent

A tax rebate doesn't count as income for housing benefit so it will be disregarded in your calculation. (I'm a housing benefit assessor)

Thank you so much. That's good to know