Housing Benefit - Confused

[chrissa1]

I have declared to the Council that my daughter is no longer a Student because it is a "Change of Circumstances."

Since then I have received 3 Benefit Decision Notices all in a downward spiral as far as the Benefit I am entitled to.

Why 3 and all with differing amounts? Which one is right?

[MadMen]

Without wanting to sound unhelpful, I think the best thing to do in this situation would be to phone them and ask them to explain.

[friedgreentomato]

Best bet Chrissa is to give them a ring - they are computer generated and tend to be printed automatically everytime someone goes into your records.

[MadMen]

Just to add, I would go by the latest letter, as I think they are sent out automatically and the one with the latest date would be the most relevant.

[buildersmate]

Presumably the last one received is the one the Council believes is correct.

But you are clearly going to have to ask them, not us.

[chrissa1]

Good advice guys. You would have thought.....one batch of information would equal, one decision.

[friedgreentomato]

Depends on the work item Chrissa - some changes cannot be done in full at the time and may need to be carried over - the systems that all government depts use are old and that is why they keep sending out stuff.

For your own piece of mind just give them a buzz - FGT

[chrissa1]

Yes, I will FGT.

[albaqwerty]

like you Chrissa, I once had 3 differing letters, on phoning them, my benefit entitlement was marginally greater than any of the letters.
Only reason I can think of is because I was able to give them accurate info which wasn't covered on the C of Circs form.

[factor-fiction]

Two of them may relate to different billing years. I recall the same thing happened to me. We also now get sent two copies of everything- one for me and one for mrsfactor- even though I pay the DD

[chrissa1]

Cheers for that alba and ff.