Housing benefit

Can the LA cut housing benefit without warning and when there is no change in circumstances, citing " our allocated money has been cut, so therefore yours has too" as the reason? This has happened 3 times in recent months to the same neighbour (aged 69) and she has got no answers to her enquiries other than as stated.

It's a Labour council. They can do what they like to make it miserable for the little man if father can blame it on the Tories.

I may be wrong here southernbelle but I believe that Housing Benefit levels are at the discretion of your local authority and may be manipulated to suit spending levels. The law states (in general terms) that your neighbour, should she be suffering hardship, is entitled to a level of income as laid down through the welfare system and should make application to the DHSS for emergency relief. If she has Pension Credits or falls into that band of pensioners whose income is below a certain level then she may contact her local CAB to obtain advice and consequently assistance through the usual channels. But - hey what do I know. I'm just a pensioner.

tx Atlas.

she pays the same amount she has always paid.

the reductions mean she now has to find 70 a week for rent alone. i have suggested she go to CAB and ask their advice.

It will depend very much on her 'assets and savings' and any other income (such as private pensions and other monies) as to whether or not she will qualify for extra help through the welfare or pension credit systems. This reduction in housing benefits has been going on for some years now especially for those on the pension credit system. Let's know how she goes on -.

Actually we were chatting about it last night. I explained about the sad situation in the new council offices regarding men and women having to use the same toilets. My friend was very sympathetic and immediately said she did not mind at all under those circumstances. She even so far as to say that she would try and manage on even less money if that helped. She is a shining example to all those whingers who dont want the hard working council staff to have any more money spent on them, and whine constantly about the "state of the town" or "the homeless".

Oh goodness Hinch, tongue in cheek, a poor attempt at sarcasm!