Housing Benefit Backlog
Sorting housing benefit quickly
Dealing with local government when you have a problem can be a pain in the butt; forms disappearing, the person dealing with your case never, ever, there. If you need housing benefit right now you could end up on the streets before it gets sorted out.
Thanks to new computer systems, installed by expensive private computer consultants, and yet another drive to stop benefit fraud, there is a huge backlog in dealing with housing benefit. If you are stuck in this backlog you don’t have to end up skint, homeless or going nuts; there is something you can do about it.
Stop banging you or your landlord’s head against the benefit office desk (except for fun), if your claim has not been sorted in a fortnight you can get payments up front until they see to it. They are called interim payments and here is how to get them:
When you first get the form:
- check you have filled it in properly and have included all the info asked of you, add a written request for interim payments (not necessary but it may help).
- take it to the benefit office (don’t send it), get photocopies and ask for a receipt.
At all times; whenever you speak to someone at the office write down their name, the response, the date and keep it for reference.
When 14 days have passed:
- if you are a council tenant, no problem, the council have to have dealt with it by now or as soon as reasonably possible.
- if a private or housing association tenant: ring the housing benefit office and ask them to sort it now or make interim payments. They have to do this by law.1
They can only refuse if it is obvious you have no chance of getting a claim or you have not supplied all the info they asked you for, when you put your claim in. Saying they are waiting for info from others i.e. Landlord etc. is no excuse, nor is suddenly wanting new, additional, info from you at the last minute.2
If they refuse to play ball: - be forceful
- threaten them with the local govt. ombudsman (020 7915 3210 for leaflet on how to)
- demand to meet the manager
- contact your local councilor, and/or the councilor responsible for housing benefit (contact the town hall for no.)
- visit with friends, occupy the offices just before they close and everybody wants to get home, don’t threaten anybody but assert your right to get it sorted out.
- get wised up; contact Shelter – get a copy of their booklet: Guide to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit by J.Zebedee and M.Ward
One more thing; if you own your house and are laid off, sorry but it looks like you can’t get housing benefit – try the Citizens Advice Bureau for help.
Thanks to Edinburgh Claimants Solidarity Network 0131 557 6242 For their autonomus centre see Links
1Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987- Reg91(1)
2DSS circular HB/CTB(93)37 |