Page 2 of 6

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 8:54 am
by Munchpot
Robin64 wrote:First rejection letter received. Dated 29th September arrived at DDs today as they had not put the correct address on it with no flat or room number!

Rejected on the grounds she is a student ( sigh! ) Will be appealing of course.
It's totally ridiculous that they act like this. You would have thought they would have learned by now!

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 6:56 pm
by Here we go again
I rang the council today as my DD took all the paperwork in nearly a month ago. Apparently they haven't even looked at it yet in spite of their turn around being 2 weeks. On a more positive note someone on her course is actually now in receipt of HB (backdated) so fingers crossed.

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2017 7:17 pm
by Robin64
Here we go again wrote:I rang the council today as my DD took all the paperwork in nearly a month ago. Apparently they haven't even looked at it yet in spite of their turn around being 2 weeks. On a more positive note someone on her course is actually now in receipt of HB (backdated) so fingers crossed.
I think one of the tactics must be keep people waiting so long they might give up! Good to know someone has got it sorted. Why does it have to be such a battle? But I expected as much. I have sent the appeal letter today special delivery so it is fully tracked - not having anyone say they didn't receive it! good luck with yours x

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:52 pm
by Here we go again
So we now have a letter from Guildford council saying that they require more information (we have already supplied the information initially requested). And on top of that because we didn't reply to their letter (which we never received) within the two week deadline we now have to start the application process again. To say I'm fuming is an understatement. I pity the person that answers the phone to me on Monday morning. It's just more delaying tactics so they don't have to pay out.

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:04 am
by Robin64
If they didn't send their letter tracked they have not got proof of delivery but I'm sure they will get out of it somehow. How annoying, good luck with the phone call.

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:08 pm
by oscar
Here We Go Again .. It is Guildford council that I had my battle with . Don't give up. If it is for a foundation you should win. Feel free to PM me x

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 4:22 pm
by Robin64
Still going with this. We received a letter to say they would re-assess the refused claim. Council we are dealing with is Greenwich. Slow going but support from NAPMers is keeping me going. Thanks so much. I do believe it will happen eventually. It is not easy though.

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 11:12 am
by lyndahill
Read this post with interest as my DD has been accepted on to the Pre Voc course at both Bird College & Performers College and she is only 15. I have always said I wouldn't let her do a Foundation course as A Levels will be better for her future plus we can't afford fees and living costs. But her face yesterday when she opened a letter from Performers College made us so immensely proud, as she didn't think she would get a place (they now let students know in March unless it is a definite No), that to say she can't go will break her heart. So Housing Benefit towards her accommodation would ease the pressure. I am presuming that we would find accommodation and then apply to Thurrock Council for the HB?
If anybody has successfully applied with Thurrock Council and has any tips pleases on and do I have to wait until she has started at the college to put an application in or can it be done say a month before.x

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:13 pm
by Robin64
Hi congratulations on the offer. You might need to check about her age, there are various rules - and not all HB offices know them all either so read up to start with. I think all the foundation students on this thread are 18 but someone might be able to comment on this if not. By the way we applied in September and it is still ongoing so don't expect any quick resolution.
Thought we had cracked it then they asked for further documents because DD did one shift at her old job during half term.

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:27 am
by lyndahill
Robin64 wrote:Hi congratulations on the offer. You might need to check about her age, there are various rules - and not all HB offices know them all either so read up to start with. I think all the foundation students on this thread are 18 but someone might be able to comment on this if not. By the way we applied in September and it is still ongoing so don't expect any quick resolution.
Thought we had cracked it then they asked for further documents because DD did one shift at her old job during half term.
Thanks Robin64. It's for next September and she will be 16 then. I read on here that if on a Foundation course it's not considered full time training so hopefully it will apply. I'll just have to wait and see but will probably contact the council in the summer.

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 1:55 pm
by riverdancefan
we are still getting grief from East Herts...they have suspended DS payments until he provides further proof that he is living where he says her is,despite rental agreement and letter from college.
Now they want another letter from the Landlady (tick)
another letter from college(tick)
DS has made three trips to them in person and I am HOPING that this is flipping' end to it!!!! ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 2:36 pm
by Robin64
riverdancefan wrote:we are still getting grief from East Herts...they have suspended DS payments until he provides further proof that he is living where he says her is,despite rental agreement and letter from college.
Now they want another letter from the Landlady (tick)
another letter from college(tick)
DS has made three trips to them in person and I am HOPING that this is flipping' end to it!!!! ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)
Oh no what a pain! I have sent 3 special delivery letters containing various documents they have asked for - wish they had just asked for them all at the same time! Things are tough enough for youngsters these days and if they are entitled by law then it should be done without all these blatant ways to not pay. My eldest has been looking for a part time job because her student loan maintenance doesn't cover her rent so that means literally no money for any other maintenance and finding extra rent. More than one place has made her do a free trial shift without any follow up call or even a thank you and funnily enough they have several people doing the free trial shifts on very busy days. There is a horrible air of exploitation and the heavy spectre of debt and money worries on young people in this country at the moment, no wonder mental health is such a big issue.

We help out as much as we can and luckily we are just about able to help DD1 and take out the loan for the foundation for DD2 but I am well aware it would be literally impossible for lots of people. It is the lack of maintenance more than fees that is a barrier to higher ed and Martin Lewis has said this too and particularly for middle income families with two or more children who want to go to uni.

Anyway, I hope they sort it out soon Riverdance - keep calm and carry on as they say!

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:56 pm
by Robin64
Got it!! Finally got the letter saying Dd entitled. :-)

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 8:14 pm
by Robin64
With a cheque attached - so there you go - they ARE entitled to it!! Thanks guys for the support.

Re: foundation course housing benefit

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 8:54 pm
by Munchpot
Robin64 wrote:With a cheque attached - so there you go - they ARE entitled to it!! Thanks guys for the support.
Congratulations. At last but how ridiculous it's taken this long. Many others may have given up