dwp

[candygirl]

I got my money stopped for 8 months due to a investigation
I am a single parent and now I have nowhere to live.the investigation
come to nothing I have health problems and owed alot of money
from dwp it has been to court twice and they have been tokd
to give me my money but they still have not there is alot
more to this story please can somebody give me some advice

[Kati]

Re: dwp

We need to know more about the situation candygirl:

were you sanctioned??
or was your money stopped because of an investigation of alleged fraud or overpayment??
have you put in an appeal??
have you been to either the CAB or your local MP for advice/support/assistance??

You say that the DWP has been told to repay you what they owe ... do you have this in writing?? Were they given a timescale in which to do this??

Why have you nowhere to live?? As a single parent on a low/no income, you are still entitled to Housing benefit and Council Tax support - and even while on a DWP sanction you are entitled to 'hardship payments' .

Do you get Child benefits and Child Tax Credits?? Both of these are meant to help you, and both can be used by your local council as proof of eligibility for HB and CB (as well as JSA or IS etc...)

If you can give me a little more info/background to your situation I will be able to help you more :tinysmile_grin_t:.

[candygirl]

Re: dwp

I was investigated for people coming and goin at my home
I had not one penny for 8months I applied for hardship loans
but was refused.i only had my child benefit money private land lord
took court action and got me evicted I hade citizens advice in court
for me for my money i currently stayin with my x partner and his brother
.I live in newham and the council have told me that rent is to high
here and that I would have to move out of the erea like Manchester or
Leeds ihave a carer that lives in newham and awaiting consoling
that I can only get here I have had no tax credit s for three years
this the reason for going to court

[Johnboy007]

Re: dwp

Having nowhere to live is terrible for anyone.
You should go to your local council immediately and declare yourself as 'homeless'.
The council have a legal duty to provide housing/shelter where children are concerned.
This may mean temporary accommodation for a while.
You should also contact Social Services for your area.
They will be able to help you get what you are entitled too, as a single parent.
As Kati says, a bit more information would be very much appreciated.

[Kati]

Re: dwp

Shelter are a good organisation to go to for advice about homelessness/overcrowding: http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice

As Johnboy007 says, your council has a duty to house you and your child/ren if you are homeless - you do need to apply for temporary accommodation while your housing application is being processed. As a single parent with dependent children, your application for a house (if you haven't started one yet do it asap) will be classed as priority and you should be quickly rehomed.

Social Services have an obligation to assist you and your child/ren. I know of people getting food parcels, help towards a deposit for a house etc... from Child Protection Services (they can also help you with furniture/bedding/clothes if you need them and also apply for grants/loans for you too)

[des8]

Re: dwp

It does seem that the OP has approached the council, but for whatever reason cannot accept their solution
".I live in newham and the council have told me that rent is to high
here and that I would have to move out of the erea like Manchester or
Leeds ihave a carer that lives in newham and awaiting consoling
that I can only get here"

The big problem here is that Newham cannot cope with the high number of homeless in their borough, and are having to relocate people miles away from their support groups of family and friends. This prospect must be frightening for a young single mother.

The borough that has rehoused the most homeless outside its borders is Newham. In four years, the beleaguered east London borough has moved 3,831 households – including nearly 1,000 households in the past 12 months. Newham is also the borough which spends most on temporary accommodation, according to the Bureau study.
I am concerned about London becoming a monoculture like other European cities, exclusively for the uber rich, a doughnut city,’
- Robert Anderson, Slough council leader


Newham says the number of people it has rehoused outside London is a very small proportion of its overall caseload and the vast majority of people who remain in London have been offered accommodation in neighbouring boroughs.
‘Government changes to the benefits policy have put Newham’s private rented sector under increased pressure and restricted the number of properties available for us to house homeless families,’ a spokeswoman said. ‘Unfortunately, there is not enough housing of sufficient quality in the borough to meet the high level of local need and we have been forced to consider other options.
‘In addition to this, changes to the benefit system will mean some properties available now would become unaffordable in the future to the detriment of both residents seeking help with housing and the council.

[Kati]

Re: dwp

Let me get this straight ....

1. you have had no tax credits for 3 years?? why were they stopped?? Is this why you went to court??
2. You have had no JSA/income support for 8 months?? again, why were they stopped?? did you appeal this sanction??
3. You applied for hardship payments and were turned down?? what reason were you given for their refusal?? did you appeal this??

[Johnboy007]

Re: dwp

Can you tell us about the investigation from the DWP, it may help to explain why you are not getting your payments.

[candygirl]

Re: dwp

This gos back 3years when changed to income support
to jobseekers child tax credits stopped re applied many times no joy
Whent 1year on job seekers still no tax creadits changed
to e s a investigation started there was no sanction just stoped
all benefits no money no rent for 8months called me in to office
and said investigation had finised esa started up had medical
and passed citizen advice took esa and tax credit to court
and both were told to pay me what I was owed but they still havent
this money what is owed is for child tax credits for 3years
and esa money for 8 months total amount 11,500 pound

[Kati]

Re: dwp

were you given the verdict in writing??
if so, can you post a copy of the letter up (with personal bits removed)??

have the dwp confirmed receipt of the decision notice??

how long has it been since you won at the tribunal??

[Kati]

Re: dwp

It might be an idea to put in a formal complaint to HMRC through your local MP in regards to your tax credits (they are more likely to take the matter seriously if your MP is involved).

HMRC, how to complain: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/complaints-ap...-complaint.htm

and to also do the same with the DWP for your ESA/IS backdated claim: https://www.gov.uk/government/organi...ints-procedure

[candygirl]

Re: dwp

Unsure about verdict from court cab may have this
and all i know from dwp is that they keep telling
me that they owe me this money snd they will pay
this into my account and the first time I won was about 15
months ago and second time it went to court wasabout 12-13
weeks ago they told social services by letter it wouled be in my
account within 3 4 weeks but still no money

[Kati]

Re: dwp

Hmm :tinysmile_hmm_t2: - you need to keep on pushing them for payment. I still think that starting formal complaints will be the best way forward. Get the letters back from the CAB (they are the proof you need to complain about timescales. Get your social worker (if you have one) to write supporting your complaint. Get an appointment to see your local MP asap, they might be able to get things moving a little faster too