Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Well I am. I am bending Charlie's ear about it at every opportunity.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Who's charlie?
oh yes lol
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
good old charlie will always tell someone what they want to hear.
known by some as crystal to the ones who see through him.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Not fair Howard, he has a highly developed social conscience and genuinely wants to sort issues like this.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Well lets see peter if your words become true
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Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
It only takes one person with a "social conscience" to raise an issue that is unjust but it takes the majority to do something about it.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Jan
of course your correct, but the present govt(and charlie) can stop some of the hardship
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
I have just recieved a call from the housing department telling me I have not paid my rent and I am now in arrears.
I pointed out that the benefit changes do not come into effect untill the 8th April but it seems they cant wait for then, I should have paid the increase on the 1st April.
I asked to make an appointment to talk this through with them and I have an appointment on the 23rd April, they must be busy.
I also asked if we could accept the first option, which is to move to a smaller dwelling?
She informed me that they don't offer help with that any more and if we want to move, we have to do it ourself online.
The only consession is for disabled children, others can ask for means tested help, for a 13 week period only, that might be extended to 26 weeks. It seems that is down to the discretion of the council.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Hope you can sort it out satisfactorily Gary. If it isn't due until the 8th. you can hardly be overdue.
It seems so wrong that the only way you can get out of having your benefit paymernt reduced, is to move to a smaller place, but there aren't any.
Roger
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
exactly roger.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Roger.
The council put up the rent on the 1st April, they could not wait till the 8th April, so I am already in arrears.
We dont want to move to a smaller place, I have 4 children and 5 grand children, who all come to stay with us and regularly use the bedroom, in fact my son Tony still regards it as his bedroom.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
As you know Gary, I have written to Charlie about this, but I don't expect one email from one Councillor to make any difference, but if everyone wrote to their MP (across the Country) - whether they were directly affected by this or not, it might make a difference.
Telling people who live in a council home that they have extra bedroom(s) and they will lose a percentage of their benefits if they don't move to a smaller one - and there aren't any to down-size to, is as unfair situation as I have ever heard.
I appreciate this is not a proper answer Gary, but in the meantime, could you not chat to your children and ask if they can help with the loss of income ?
I know your children should not have to be asked about this and in principle it is wrong, but until things change (will they with a Labour Government ? I don't think so) maybe it's the least bad of the options.
Roger
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
oh well roger thats fine then oh dear
gary good luck i do wish you well
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
The usual ignorant response I see Keith.
Roger
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Roger.
Yes I have seen your email to Charlie, thanks.
I do believe he will take it further but don't hold out much hope.
As Jan says, everyone needs to get behind this cut too far.
Another question if I may.
Someone in the same road with same circumstances, except that they own their house, are not included in these cuts and are still receiving full benefit, is this not victimization?
Jan
Of course I am against this because it involves me personally but it is more than that, I can see the terrible consequences that this is going to have on genuine disabled and vulnerable people. This is very ill conceived and ill-thought out, this is a step too far against genuine people who do not deserve to be treated like this and I believe people will die if nothing is done to reverse or review this in-human attack on many that cannot defend themselves.
You are right by saying the majority needs to put pressure for a review of these vindictive cuts.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Gary I thought housing benefit was intended to pay rent. If they own their own house surely they don't pay rent so don't receive HB.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
It will (can) only apply to council tenants as Government has no control over private rented or owner-occupied properties.
I do agree that it is badly and unfairly (or maybe not at all) thought through. We do need to save money, but not by this method.
Roger
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Peter.
People who are home owners and are disabled, un-employed, etc, receive rent/mortgage & tax benefits, I believe.
I could be wrong on this, so I am happy to be corrected.
People renting privately who are on benefits, are not affected by these cuts, at this time, it is only council house tenants that are affected.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
private tenants only receive housing benefit in line with the property. i would be surprised if disabled home owners receive anything other than the basic amount.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
They might be unsure about concessions etc. but they are sure on the ball with any arrears.
A phone call yesterday, followed by a letter from the Income Recovery Team today.
I am sure I am not the only person that was under the impression it was being implemented on the 8th April and was not aware that I would be already in rent arrears.
As I cannot apply for any concessions until my meeting with them on the 23rd April, I went onto the DDC website to pay my arrears but when I put my details in, it states that I am not in rent arrears, so can't pay anything. I then called the direct number on the letter that I received today and although it was ringing, no one was there to answer my call.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"