Gransnet forums

Scams and fraud

Housing benefit

(8 Posts)
Merhaba Sun 09-Feb-25 12:36:24

Hi I hope someone can help us here.
Where 78 and 76 in recipe of government pension.
Plus 2 yrs claiming housing benefit.
We've always been up and above bored information them when house rent rise. Plus rise to pension.
We received a Email from H B to say fill in the online form for accuracy benefit reviews. and changes in circumstance.
So we filled it in.
We got letter asking for bank statements, so sent them in.
Them we get a letter your partners back account with bank statements or if this account is closed.
We didn't know what they were on about.
So rang in to housing benefit and they said 18 yrs ago you have or had a bank account xxxx
So we rang our bank 2 times.
Then went into town to local bank. They found it and typed us a letter saying account was closed 25th Aug 2011..
So sent that..
Then I get another letter have I or partner worked on the last year.
No I said Where's this coming from.
They told me someone had notified them that I was getting cash in hand money.
I didn't, I can asure you i or we haven't worked since retired.
Can't believe someone can be so mean to cause us so much stress and upset.. Anyone whose this as happened to.

M0nica Sun 09-Feb-25 13:03:34

That is dreadful Merhaba Do you have any family member who can help you. If not speak to your local Age UK, they should be able to help and advise you.

Merhaba Sun 09-Feb-25 13:32:45

I think it's awful what people can do to others
Yes we have family. Must tell them now.
Thank you we're onto that now.

JaneJudge Sun 09-Feb-25 13:38:21

write to your MP

Cossy Sun 09-Feb-25 14:49:20

Good luck and don’t forget your can appoint someone, including a family member, as an appointee or advocate.

My advice is to actually book an appointment with your council, if they allow it, get a family member to come with you, take every scrap of documentation with you and just get it sorted once and for all

MissAdventure Sun 09-Feb-25 14:52:03

I would try to involve an outside agency to help you navigate this.

I'm not sure if age UK would help, or perhaps direct you to someone who could.

They will be not personally involved or upset, so will be better able to deal with things.

Wheniwasyourage Sun 09-Feb-25 15:38:39

Citizen's Advice Bureau? You could approach them too, but I agree that Age UK would be good as a start. Good luck, and I hope it all goes well for you.

Merhaba Mon 10-Feb-25 15:09:00

Thank you so much.. I'm going to take you advice.. I've sorted out all bank details. Closed and open. I'm dreading the post man... I can't sleep.. I just hope theses people that do this sort of thing get into trouble for it.
Thank you once again..