benefit joke

[gingerone]

can the council drag their feet legally? It may be in the wrong topic!!
My partner had a very well paid job and i had a pretty well paid job. I had to stop work because it dried up an he got constructivley dismissed (legal action being taken through acas). We sold nearly everything we owned to survive without claiming benefits. But once we had, we had no choice but to claim. we now get 64 pound a week for us, 3 kids and im pregnant. We have been trying to claim housing allowance for 6 weeks. They want bank staements, we have to pay for!! they want to know every single thing about us. it costs us money to take the stuff in, then they say oh but we need this...etc.
After almost going into premature labour through stress my doctor has put me on antidepressants!! I dont know if what they are doing is legal or not. we've worked dam hard and didnt want to even claim, but they are making it very difficult. if i was a single mother on is im sure they'd of done it by now!! where do i turn?? HELP!!!!

[pink-kittens]

as you have access to the net - go internet banking and you should be able to print off enough bank statements for free

I have to say, I think you should also be talking to your benefits advisor. �64 pw for all of you is not enough and you are entitled to more - do you get Tax credits on top oif this amount? Are you inclduing your child benefit?
Look here for what you are entitled too get
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Don't forget to claim your surestart allowance either for the one you are carrying
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefit s/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingo rbringingupchildren/DG_10018854

[gingerone]

i cant print them off because i get them posted from one bank, which, to my own blame,i have lost. And the others im hopefully getting my friend to print now. I feel victimised!!
Re 64� a week. Im waiting to hear about child tax credit, hopefully they'll back pay?? And ive redone my claim for jsa, but my doctor says because im 26 weeks pregnant and depresed i can claim somat else. Dont know what tho, website is a bit confusing!!
Also, does anyone know if, when they start paying housing allowance, if it will be back dated??

[factor-fiction]

If it's �64 a week it could be contribution based Job Seekers Allowance which isn't means tested. To get the means tested benefits you do need to go through this process. If you have savings it may affect your entitlement.I'd be more worrie dif theyw ere just handing out money without doing the checks. If you are entitled to benefits they should be backdated to your claim date.

[TCL-MUMPING]

The council are asking for proof of savings because Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit. You say you have put in another claim for JSA so have you now claimed income based JSA (JSA(IB)) rather than Contributions Based JSA?

You say you are depressed, has the doctor said you are no longer fit for work? If so, you should claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA.) As you are within fifteen weeks of giving birth, you should also claim Maternity Allowance (MA) and if awarded that will be payable from eleven weeks before the expected week of childbirth. Please note but, you will not get MA on top of ESA.

[saxy_jag]

Just a thought - try writing/speaking to your local councillor. Better still, try writing to the councillor who has the lead on social services/benefits (the council website should tell you who that is). Tell them everything you've told us here. Hint that you may have to contact your MP or even the press if said councillor fails to enquire into your case.

My experience of working in council departments - social services, education and environmental services - is that when a councillor's enquiry is received by a department, the case gets dealt with PDQ. Councillors say 'jump', departments ask 'how high'?

[katiecarol]

Hey I know how you feel. My son came to live with me 6mths ago and i claimed child benefit and child tax credits. i know that my case isn't complecated but i've still not had it sorted. just had the local msp brought in to help. good luck!!!