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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:22 pm
by Wizzzard
Excuse me but I need a moan.
Mrs Wizzz retired on Xmas eve and we thought that we were going to have a stress free break at last. The difference between her part time wage and her pension is around £15 per month so we assumed it would not make a great deal of difference ( mebbe an extra box of chocolates once a month). Yesterday I found out what that £15 difference is going to make. I received a bill from the council for £200 Council Tax. This after being on Council Tax benefit since I was taken ill in 2004. I have no idea how I'm going to pay it and now I'm dreading a letter from the Rent Benefits office. I hate getting these missives when I'm unable to ring the office for an appointment to sort things out ... it means more stress and more worry even though you know deep down this can be sorted ... I just don't know how. Its impossible to fight bureaucrats I've found.

Winge over ... thanks.

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:31 pm
by kallis3
Ray, you whinge all you like.

How can you owe the council if you are on benefits? I thought they would have been paid in full because of that?

Speak to them in the morning and if you do owe the money then I'm sure they will let you pay it on the drip.

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:24 pm
by Skippy
Sorry you're having a rotten time Ray, you don't need this worry. I hope you can get it sorted out tomorrow xxx

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:53 pm
by Shining
I'm hoping you can sort it tomorrow too Ray and we're always here to listen. x

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:57 pm
by kallis3
Come back to us when you've spoken to them.

Thinking of you.

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:05 am
by kallis3
Hope you get it sorted this morning Ray.

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:55 am
by Wizzzard
I think you're correct Helen ... they have me down as earning £1144.00 PER WEEK ... I wish LOL they say they have to send someone out to see me sometime this week.

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:02 am
by kallis3
Those are good wages Ray! Can I come and work there!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds as though you'll get it sorted though.

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:17 pm
by Wizzzard
Further to the original post ... I have yet to receive a visit from the Finance Department as promised re the moneys owed on my Council Tax. Now I have received a further bill from the council asking for £148 rent arrears to be paid by the 7th of this month or it will go to court. If I pay these two bills and also cover my IVA commitment it will leave me with around £60 for the month after all utilities have been paid. I am really lost for ideas as to what to do. A friend said visit CAB ... which sounds good except ours has been closed due to cut backs ... probably because I didn't pay my rent and CT.

I reckon I'll go and bang on their door again tomorrow.

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:47 pm
by nepensioner
Hi Wizzz
In my experience as long as you can come to an "arrangement to pay" with the council they will take no further action, speak to them and make an offer....

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:48 pm
by kallis3
This isn't good Ray and I hope you can speak to someone on Monday to sort it out. Their sums are all totally wrong.

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:25 am
by Wizzzard
nepensioner wrote:

Hi Wizzz
In my experience as long as you can come to an "arrangement to pay" with the council they will take no further action, speak to them and make an offer....
Thing is nepensioner, I don't reckon I owe this. After a short chat to the department concerned last Monday they said to pay it and it would be credited ...note ... CREDITED ... to my account if found in my favour. I'll just get me John Bull printing set and run off a few tenners[:D]

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:34 am
by Julie
Sorry Ray, I've just caught up with this post.

This is shocking! No way should you pay the money and possibly get a credit thereafter! Phone the counciltax dept and ask for a home visit - this way you will be able to explain the full situation.

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:22 am
by kallis3
He was supposed to have had one last week Julie and nobody turned up.

I'd be pestering daily now until something was done about it.

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 4:54 pm
by Julie
I spoke to Wizz on FB last night - hope this gets sorted soon.