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Letter from DWP
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10 years 9 months ago - 10 years 9 months ago #123996 by killbot99
Letter from DWP was created by killbot99
Hi
I don't know if anyone can advise me but I am rather concerned about a letter I have received from the DWP today. A bit of background. I am in receipt of ESA in the SG and also DLA HRM and LRC. My husband is my carer although he doesn't claim CA. My sons both live at home but both work full-time.
As we have a mortgage the DWP pays a small amount each week towards the interest. They wrote to me on 16 July asking for information about what my sons were doing, how many hours a week they worked, how much they earned etc. However the original letter did state that if there was no changes in circumstance that we didn't need to reply. As there have been no changes since they asked previously I didn't send the letter back.
They have now written again asking for details. I am very confused by this. The amount they pay is £5.25 a week as the mortgage is small and should be paid off within 2 years. My question is why is it relevant to this payment what my sons are doing? Neither is a dependant, nor have they been for 2 years plus. We receive no money for them obviously and neither claim any benefits in their own right.
Have they got a right to this information. They asked for this information to be back by 20 August which it won't be since I only received the letter today and they have included a 2nd class envelope in the letter. There is no threat in the letter about cutting my benefits off. I feel this is rather intrusive as I really don't understand the relevance or why they are asking these questions. I have tried looking it up on the internet but can find nothing relevant. Any help would be much appreciated.
I don't know if anyone can advise me but I am rather concerned about a letter I have received from the DWP today. A bit of background. I am in receipt of ESA in the SG and also DLA HRM and LRC. My husband is my carer although he doesn't claim CA. My sons both live at home but both work full-time.
As we have a mortgage the DWP pays a small amount each week towards the interest. They wrote to me on 16 July asking for information about what my sons were doing, how many hours a week they worked, how much they earned etc. However the original letter did state that if there was no changes in circumstance that we didn't need to reply. As there have been no changes since they asked previously I didn't send the letter back.
They have now written again asking for details. I am very confused by this. The amount they pay is £5.25 a week as the mortgage is small and should be paid off within 2 years. My question is why is it relevant to this payment what my sons are doing? Neither is a dependant, nor have they been for 2 years plus. We receive no money for them obviously and neither claim any benefits in their own right.
Have they got a right to this information. They asked for this information to be back by 20 August which it won't be since I only received the letter today and they have included a 2nd class envelope in the letter. There is no threat in the letter about cutting my benefits off. I feel this is rather intrusive as I really don't understand the relevance or why they are asking these questions. I have tried looking it up on the internet but can find nothing relevant. Any help would be much appreciated.
Last edit: 10 years 9 months ago by Gordon.
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10 years 9 months ago #123998 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Letter from DWP
MCW
In order to receive assistance with your mortgage you must be receiving Income Related ESA in part or in whole, this being the case entitlement is dependant on your income, it is likely that the DWP are expecting your sons, as they are working to be contributing to household expenses and in particular to the mortgage.
When you claimed benefits it was implicit in the application that you would provide any information that the DWP requested in regard to your claim, whilst they may not be bothered if you do not respond, on the basis that nothing has changed (this presumes that you have previously informed them about your sons payments), conversely they may require an answer and failing to do so could result in the suspension of your mortgage assistance and even your ESA.
Gordon
In order to receive assistance with your mortgage you must be receiving Income Related ESA in part or in whole, this being the case entitlement is dependant on your income, it is likely that the DWP are expecting your sons, as they are working to be contributing to household expenses and in particular to the mortgage.
When you claimed benefits it was implicit in the application that you would provide any information that the DWP requested in regard to your claim, whilst they may not be bothered if you do not respond, on the basis that nothing has changed (this presumes that you have previously informed them about your sons payments), conversely they may require an answer and failing to do so could result in the suspension of your mortgage assistance and even your ESA.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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10 years 9 months ago #124007 by killbot99
Replied by killbot99 on topic Letter from DWP
Hi
Thank you Gordon. I suppose my real concern is that they are going to try and make my children pay all the council tax (we currently pay about 50%) and will try and reduce my benefits. I have always been honest about their circumstances but knowing how underhanded the DWP can be this is really worrying me. Will we get penalised because my sons are working?
My sons are currently trying to save up enough money to move out. In the eyes of the DWP are my kids responsible for the household debts and responsibilities. Even though they don't claim anything at all?
Thank you Gordon. I suppose my real concern is that they are going to try and make my children pay all the council tax (we currently pay about 50%) and will try and reduce my benefits. I have always been honest about their circumstances but knowing how underhanded the DWP can be this is really worrying me. Will we get penalised because my sons are working?
My sons are currently trying to save up enough money to move out. In the eyes of the DWP are my kids responsible for the household debts and responsibilities. Even though they don't claim anything at all?
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10 years 9 months ago #124028 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Letter from DWP
MCW
It will be your Local Authority that deals with Council Tax not the DWP, you will have to check with them what their rules are in regard to this situation, as each LA has there own regulations.
Your sons should not be considered as part of your household in benefit terms, but there will be an expectation that they will be paying for their keep, I am afraid I cannot comment on how the DWP will treat this.
Gordon
It will be your Local Authority that deals with Council Tax not the DWP, you will have to check with them what their rules are in regard to this situation, as each LA has there own regulations.
Your sons should not be considered as part of your household in benefit terms, but there will be an expectation that they will be paying for their keep, I am afraid I cannot comment on how the DWP will treat this.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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