Housing remains one of the most common issues that we support clients with. We have a wonderful team of housing specialists helping people across our area, and we wanted to share a couple of recent case studies below.
If you’re worried about a problem with housing please contact our team. To find out more the sort of help we can offer with housing, please click here.
Case study 1:
Successfully challenging a Housing Benefit fraud error
Housing Caseworker Justin worked with a client in their 80s, who was mistakenly asked to pay back nearly £14,000 of benefits. This error was severely impacting their health, in addition to major long-term health issues.
Our client lives alone following years as a carer for their patient and spouse. While caring for their spouse they had been in receipt of Carers Allowance. In July 2019, Housing Benefit carried out a review of their case and found that our client was still receiving the Carers element of the benefit. They claimed back thirteen years of this payment from our client (from 2006-2019), totalling nearly £14,000.
Justin carried out a home visit with the client, who was adamant they were no longer in receipt of Carers Allowance. The client needed support to appeal the decision, having already received a negative result at reconsideration.
Justin carried out some research and established that, as the client was in receipt of Carers Allowance before they reached pensionable age, they had an underlying entitlement to Carers Allowance. The decision was agreed and changed the same day.
Case study 2
Supporting a family to move away from racial abuse
Caseworker Elliott worked with a single parent, who along with their children, had been racially abused by their neighbour for two years. This affected their mental health and wellbeing, and as a result they wanted to move away from their home. However because they had no housing need, they were turned down to join the housing register.
Elliott initially advised our client about the antisocial behaviour they were experiencing, identifying that by providing some evidence they should be accepted onto the housing register. He offered advice on all their housing options, and with the client’s agreement, liaised with the housing association to see what action they were taking to resolve this unacceptable situation.
The client was prioritised for an emergency transfer by their housing association, and has now been able to move to a different property. Their goal has been achieved and we hope this will help to improve their mental health and wellbeing, as well as that of their children.
