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Am I entitled to Housing Benefits and what else?

February 1, 2016, 1:50 pm
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Hello,

At first I am very sorry for posting this question as there are plenty calculators, however, I always got a different outcome. I am totally new with this topic and never applied for benefits, tax credit, council tax reductions and anything like that before.

I share my one bedroom flat with my friend / partner ( does this make a different?! ). The rent is GBP per month 1060 ( nothing is included. ). On the top we have to pay council tax of GBP 120 per months, water, electricity, gas, internet, TV and so on. We both earn about 13k a year ( full time ) and we struggle to pay our rent and bills. As we live in London, life is hard and we need financial support. Does anyone has ideas, if there are some options of support / benefits / housing benefits for us?

Many thanks for helping me out. I really don't know what to do.

Perez
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Universal Credit and Zero-Hours Contract

February 1, 2016, 1:55 pm
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Hi there.

Here's a brief explanation of my circumstances;

I've just accepted a job offer for a job that's on a zero-hours contract. I've never had a job with a ZHC before and I'm wondering what the set up is regarding Universal Credit.

The pay is ok for the type of work (£7.80 per hour), but I've got no idea how many shifts my new employer is going to offer me so I've got no idea how much money I'll have coming in. Therefore I'm not 100% sure whether or not I'll be better off compared to being on the dole.

I live in an area that's recently replaced JSA with UC for new claimants so does anyone know if UC can be used to top-up my income if I don't get offered that many shifts to work? And will I have to repeatedly keep opening and closing claims if there are periods where there's little or no work for me to do?

Also I'm 25, single, have no dependents and living with my parents. I remember hearing something in the news at the time of last years budget about people in my situation no longer being eligible for the work component of Universal Credit. I'm not sure if this is still the case.

Thank you in advance for any help or advice anyone has to offer.
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Processing times for JSA/Housing benefit?

February 2, 2016, 4:40 am
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I made a new claim on 21January for JSA and Housing Benefit
1.Does it really take them 10 working days to process my claim?
2. am I not entitled to any benefits for the 1st 7days of the claim?

I tried 3months before but was told I am not eligible because I had been out of UK(HRT test)
I had my interview thursday and was told that the first 7 days of the claim I would not be entitled to any money
I was also told that I would receive my first payment ( 10 pounds) today.
Today, theres no money in my account, and I called jobcentre who said there was no indication of my claim being processed.
They gave me an 0845 number to call from my mobile, but there wasnt enough credit on my phone to call it
I found an 0345 no on Saynoto0870.com, and was told it'd take at least 10 working days to process my claim. and call them back friday if there was no money in my account then. My credit ran out before I could ask about housing benefit

3.Is it true that you are entitled to nothing for the 1st 7days of any claim?
4. Will I be able to backdate this 7 days since I originally applied in October?
5. Does all this apply to Housing Benefit also?
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Tax Credit Overpayment with Debt Collector

February 2, 2016, 4:49 am
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Hello to all

So as you can see from my username I was divorcing, and am now divorced!

Received a letter out of the blue last week from Past Due Credit Solutions (Debt Collectors!!!) regarding a £3k debt owed from when was married and claiming WFTC.

The debt was from 2012 claim, but they wrote after I had left the matrimonial home and being the split was, to say the least acrimonious, I never heard of this. They do say they sent 1 letter last year to this address but I certainly never received anything from them. Believe me I was making sure all debts were accounted for and being paid before the divorce was finalised.

Spoke to HMRC today and they're going to send me the details of awards and why they say we were overpaid. WAs told they could could not recall the debt but their Debt Management department could.

In the meantime I was passed to their Debt Management department, they refused to recall the debt pending me having a chance to look at the figures, possibly dispute the overpayment and giving me the chance to come to an agreement with them. They said, and I quote, 'The Debt pursuit continues' and that only the HMRC Office could recall it.

So I called back and spoke to the HMRC Office and they said there is no way that they recall it, for any reason. However he did add that given my circumstances once my address was traced following the separation they should have written many times in what is a 'lengthy process'. As I said previously they say they have written to me once and once only.

So they then suggest I call Past Due and arrange a minimal payment plan whilst I look into disputing the overpayment decision. Tried to call them, but 20 minutes later no answer and the worst hold music ever so given up for now!

Any suggestions or advice on what my next step should be would be gratefully received.

Thanks
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Am I entitled to tax credits?

February 2, 2016, 7:49 am
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So in 2014 my partner and I were both in full time work. For the tax year 13/14 our combined income was 45k. In June 2014 I went on maternity leave for a year. Just before I left I got a promotion and also a payrise. Whilst on maternity leave my company paid 6 months full pay, 3 months basic, 3 months nothing. So because of my payrise etc I ended up earning a similar amount that year even though I was on maternity. So for the tax year 14/15 our combined income was 43k. As soon as I started maternity leave I applied for tax credits just so I was on the system, and as expected it came back entitlement 0. I was due back to work in June 2015 however decided to stay at home to look after my daughter.

Now since I had heard they base your award on the previous years salary I thought I would have to wait until April 2016 before I could give them my 15/16 combined income details. However in October 2015 I found out this is not the case and I should inform them of any drop in income straight away so I did. My income for 15/16 is £1126, and my partners will be the same again at around 24k. However our entitlement again came back again as 0. I just wondered if someone could explain this to me as I find the whole thing very confusing, am i not entitled to anything?

Many thanks
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End of wrag

February 2, 2016, 11:56 am
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Hi I have just been told by my advisor at my wrag centre that my two years with them will finished at the end of the month and I will have to go to the job centre in future. My health has not improved at all and they have never asked me to do any work related activities because of this.
I don't fully understand what this means for me, am I going to be moved over to jsa and forced to look for work,
thanks in advance for any information.
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UC and cont.JSA differences

February 2, 2016, 2:14 pm
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Hi after some advice on UC/Cont JSA

After phoning everywhere i was unable to find out if i was eligible for Cont.JSA which i strongly believe i am due to working full time for previous 2 full tax years.

I was told apply for Universal Credit then go from there.Well today had my first UC set up meeting, have to say i didn't believe the horror stories but actually yes was stunned at the bully tactics and sanction threats every 30 seconds.I refused them access to my UJM page and the woman went on the rampage.

I digress, i first saw the finance type person there and explained i had to apply to UC (Only option in Northampton) on their page but felt i was CJSA eligible.They basically made out they couldn't be bothered to check my NI and move me over and to just stick with UC to save hassle.

Can anyone confirm that the merry dance of UC (35hrs a week job search , Uni Job match etc) and all its other ideas are now implemented in CJSA too?.

If they are the same i guess it doesn't matter but wanted CJSA as feel i have earnt the right to have it and hoped as a graduate whose quite independent would get the benefit of a less Dickensian framework.Would get paid before 5/6 weeks too i believe.Should i now leave it as UC or push for CJSA if its any better?Job centre totally confused with it all still so what chance does anyone have.

Appreciate any advice ,

James
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Income related ESA and NHS costs

February 2, 2016, 4:28 pm
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How do you claim help with NHS costs? Do you automatically get issued with a certificate like you do with tax credits? What I've read so far is that you do not need to apply to the low income scheme!
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Claiming housing benefit without tenancy agreement

February 3, 2016, 2:25 am
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I have a bit of a complicated situation. After a separation I've been claiming housing benefit as a self employed single parent. As it is right now I am living in a flat that my ex is renting and she is living in the place we used to rent together (it's closer to her work and this flat is closer to the school). I wanted to rent the place myself but because I'm self employed,low income, single parent and bad credit, i was refused
Unfortunately the contract I am on, where the ex now lives, can not be renewed. I'm now going to be stuck without a tenancy agreement without my name on it and therefore have no proof of the rent I pay. Any idea of I will still be able to claim housing benefit without this info?
Thinks in advance
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New claim got first appointment today need tips

February 3, 2016, 3:03 am
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last time i claimed was 8 months ago i just left since family was willing to help but now i need to sign back on in the last few weeks of my last signing on they put a lot of pressure on me finding a job wanted to know if i go back on it now will they start that over again or will it be a clean slate?

Also i keep hearing that they you should not give them access to your universal job match but is this the right thing to do?

Just want to really look for a job and also keep under the rador
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PIP Reconsideration Times

February 3, 2016, 3:16 am
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Still waiting for assessors report etc. Can the DWP grant an extension or does the reconsideration still have to be in a month after original decision?
I rang them to tell them I would like a reconsideration but I'm still waiting for all the evidence.
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Entitled to JSA a second opinion please? own property

February 3, 2016, 7:58 am
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Hi, from reading a few threads hear I think I know the answer (no not entitled) but wanted another persons opinion. I tried calling Job Centre Plus to try and speak to person, but went round in circles, also researched topic on official pages but says to just get 'advice'

So here's my situation;

Rent out a property I own, currently living with family. I receive around £200 income a month after expenses, i.e. mortage, insurance etc.

For the tax year 2013/2014 worked half the year making 6 months National Insurance contributions, and took redundancy Nov 2013 traveled, and volunteered, received a tax back after completing self assessment. Returned to UK December 2015, just completed tax return, made no NI contributions for 2014/2015 tax year.

Currently looking for work, and was looking into signing on to JSA. With the property, equity is more than £16k, and I'm not sure I would be eligible for contribution based JSA, as its 6 months worth out of 2 years (13/14 & 14/15).

From my research I doubt I'm eligible for either form of JSA, is my logic about right? Thanks for any comments suggestions, much appreciated.
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Letter from ESA about permitted work

February 3, 2016, 9:56 am
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My daughter is on WRAG ESA. 6 days ago she got a letter from them saying as she has now been on it 365 days (income based) she had to let them know what she intends to do about her 5 hours a week of self employment. The letter was dated 21st January but she didn't get it till 28th January and it said she had to return it within 2 weeks. She filled it in and posted it the day she got it. Today she checked her bank and her payment hasn't gone in. Is it just a case of them waiting for the letter or something else? What if they don't get the letter back within 2 weeks?
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Does an AVC pension income affect adult dependency increase to state pension?

February 3, 2016, 10:17 am
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My husband is in receipt of the adult dependency increase to his state pension (to support me) which we applied for before it was stopped. Now that it is no longer available it is hard to find out the current criteria you have to meet to remain eligible. I am considering taking money from a very small free-standing AVC pension plan. I would like to know if that pension income would, in principle, affect the ADI eligibility. If so, it would influence whether I take a lump sum or a tiny annuity. I think the value of an annuity would keep me within the £70 per week earnings criteria.
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Just Made Redundant, due to sign on, Mortgage in Partners name

February 3, 2016, 1:37 pm
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Dear Forum;

I have recently been made redundant, a bit of a shock but I hope there is a silver lining.

I aim to sign on soon, and expect to be able to receive job seekers allowance, I do not have savings over £16k.

I have uncertainty however regarding housing costs. I live with my partner (who happens to be the mother of my children as well), in a house which mortgage is in her name alone. We have no shared finances or bills and I pay her half the mortgage every month.

I am unsure how this set up will be seen by the benefits agency, has anyone experience of being in a similar situation?

many thanks

JJ
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Esa query

February 3, 2016, 1:56 pm
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I went for my esa assessment on the 13th november 2015.i have still not heard anything,should i ring them up?
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Moving Abroad - P85 Form

February 4, 2016, 7:13 am
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Hi there,

At the end of last year I moved permanently to Spain after working and living in the UK for 16 months.
I'm filling out the P85 form informing HMCR that I left the UK.
Although I intend to work in Spain I still don't have a job yet thus I'm not 100% sure how to respond to the following questions in the form.

- Will you be working full-time outside the UK? Yes/No
I assume I have to answer "Yes" to this question although I don't have a job yet.

- Will you be working when you leave the UK? Yes/No
Once again I assume I should answer "Yes" to this question but in this case the form requests details about the "Employer" which I do not have.

Any assistance here would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Leandro
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New claim for jsa appointement tomorrow got call

February 4, 2016, 7:29 am
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i got 2 calls today just reminding me about the time and appointment and they also asked me which i thought was strange how was i supporting myself since my last sign on 8 months ago and if im in training is this normal or are they trying to do some sneaky thing?
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Housing Benefit & Self Employment - URGENT x

February 4, 2016, 11:16 am
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Hello all

I've been self-employed for last 15 years and although a single parent earning a mere 8 - 10k a year I've managed without benefits but do get working and child tax credits (I work in the Arts ... say no more)

This year has been particularly difficult and I'm now needing to apply for housing benefit (hopefully temporarily)

I'm sitting here in tears because the form insists on accounts prepared by an accountant. My income is soooo low I've always done my own accounts (probably to the detriment of my finances) Ive done some research about this and it appears that if you don't have these accounts prepared it's a nightmare to get housing benefit.

Can anyone advise? I'm at my wits end. (situation even more complicated to fill out re forms as I'm in shared ownership house part rent and part mortgage)

with thanks
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Another ESA query

February 4, 2016, 4:45 pm
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After A phone call to the DWP D of the day, I received this! It's the letter I have received about my award. I've not received an official award letter. Can anybody make sense of it? As I was on assessment rate between them 2 dates.

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