A 'Red' Letter, 'Act Now To Stop An Investigation'..... What have I 'Done', what Henous Crime have I committed? Well actually it's all about a TV Licence and, really and truely, 'Nothing' to do with me actually. Allow me to explain....
When I moved here, in September 2016, I bought a TV Licence. However, a few months later, I was told that- because we are in Supported Living, we are entitled to a Communial Licence, for £7:50 peryear. By the time THIS was 'Sorted' however, I didn't receive Much of a Rebate, however
The Following year we all Paid £9:00 because there was a 'Vacant' flat, and we didn't want to lose the Concession.
The 'Trouble' started This year.... we All paid £7:50, in about March/ April- just before the Lockdown. Apparently 'TV Licencing' had requested some more details, regarding the Building- according to our Housing Manager. Quite what 'Happened', after that, is a bit 'unclear'..... but we ALL keep getting Licence Letters, some quite 'Threatening'- even though we HAVE paid our Money.
Clearly 'They' have got their Knickers in a twist, from MY Point Of View, I Have Paid My Licence and The Estate Officer WILL Confirm this..... so let this BE Investigated, I- indeed ALL of us- have Commited NO Crime. You never know, the Upshot, Might even be.... that This is 'Sorted Out'.... Well I Can HOPE, can't I?
What a 'mess' up
AndrewT
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AndrewT
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Only problem is with letters being sent out by computer and no human being ever checking what is really going on. I once had to deal with a very distressed older lady, who had received a letter from her dentist stating she had "illegally" claimed a rebate, as she was already dead. After many telephone calls (hours of holding on) I discovered someone had RIP'd the wrong person on the HMRC computer. Trying to get this altered was like getting into Fort Knox, I would end each call by saying, she is sitting in front of me, how is she going to eat if you do not restart things like her pension. SHE IS NOT DEAD.
Good luck with this AndrewT. Capita, who now collect licence fees for the BBC seem to be making some careless mistakes. My friend has been trying to retrieve a second payment, taken from her bank account for this year's licence, having had to start paying under the new rules for the over 75s. Luckily paying twice hasn't impacted her too much as she has sufficient income to withstand this, but there are many in this vulnerable age group who would really miss the cost of a licence. All attempts to make a human being understand what's happened, have been fruitless, so I do hope that you and the other residents have much better luck at sorting this out.
I will 'Copy', my letter to our Manager Nick, or his Deputy Gorden, before phoning Steffie, our Estate Manager. Steffie is 'lovely' but rather Overworked, on occation.
As I said NOT my Problem..... I'll however Check, with the other Residents, that- they too- received this Letter (They Did Last Time). I don't want to 'Badger' Steffie, too much, but perhaps a Communication DOES need to be made, to the Licencing 'People'.
I will call the number, quote on the Letter, come Monday.... if only so 'they' can't say that I haven't Responded!
There was a 'Wonderful' story, from someone I know- who has a Severely 'Dis-abled Daughter. Tracy can't even lift her head, let alone Feed herself, she is Completely 'Non Verbal'- only making a few, apparently random, Noises. Tracy is also fequently Sick, after eating. The unfortunate Girl is Doubly Incontinent, but requires 'frequent' Suppositories to help 'Clear Her out'.
The said girl was sent a letter, from the Job Centre, stating that 'She was to 'Attend' a 'Work Assessment'.... Failure to do so, could result in 'The Withdrawal Of Benefits'. So Carol & Bob, Tracy's Parents, simply Wheeled her in- having not 'Changed Her, that morning- and left 'Them' to it.
It didn't take 'Long' for the Officials to 'Apologise For The Mistake'.......
I do hope it's sorted out!! A friend of ours was in the job centre, a man came in to say his daughter was in a coma in hospital so she couldn't attend!! They were adament she should be there!! I think he had to get a note from the hospital in the end!! As if this poor man and his family weren't going through enough already 🤬🤬
Another man I read about had just lost his brother and threatening letters kept coming from DWP to his brother's house as to why he wasn't going to appointments etc, the man's brother explained on more than one occasion that his brother was sadly no longer here. In the end his brother was summoned to court so the other brother went along with the ashes of his sadly now deceased brother!! They soon amended their records!!
Those people are well paid - for what? They clearly have little education and don't know what a coma is. They only know how to treat ordinary vulnerable people like criminals.
AndrewT, you have my sympathies. Some years ago, for reasons I still don't understand, I was accused of benefit fraud. The DWP said I had savings which I had 'failed to declare' on my claim form but, despite my repeated requests for clarification, they never did explain what the alleged undeclared savings were.
Over a period of months, they wrote increasingly-threatening letters yet, whenever I wrote to them, my letters were ignored. I found that the best way of dealing with an uncaring, faceless and unaccountable bureaucracy was to put everything in writing so you can show written evidence if necessary; however, if they still don't listen, you can always do what I did - go to your MP and ask him or her to stop them persecuting you. It's what MPs are for, after all.
In the end, after two and a half years of bullying, I won. I ended up by writing a registered letter to the minister in charge of the DWP explaining what had happened and how I had been treated by his department. I ended up with a written apology from them and compensation. If I were ever in this situation again, I wouldn't bother writing so many letters; instead, I would let them take me to court and show themselves up for the incompetent idiots they are.
I'm sorry for the lengthy tirade but your story touched a still-raw nerve. Remember - if you can prove everything you say then they haven't got a leg to stand on and they will just end up with a considerable amount of egg on their faces. Best of luck! Let us know how you get on but, in the meantime, try not to worry. After all, you don't have to prove your innocence - they have to prove your guilt and they can't do it so you will win!
I'm glad that you Won.... In my case, it's much Easier, I can absolutely Prove this money WAS paid..... The person who Collected it, will verify it! In my case, the fault seems to be, somewhere Between the Housing Association and TV Licencing. (Off the record, so to speak, I think that I DO 'know' what has 'Happened'.... but I could be wrong.)
I will simply speak to Steffi, our Estate Officer, on Monday- assuming that I can 'get hold' of her, that is. (She is one of those 'Ever So Good but Vastly Overworked' people.) I might 'Try' the Licencing People......
Once again, I'm glad that YOU Won, I too have had a 'Tussle' with 'Them'.... I too Won but only after it Was refered to Court. (based on the SAME submissions, I was put into the Higher Catagory....)
A Further 'Update'.... I have spoken to our Estate Officer, and the Money- for the Communial licence HAS been taken. I tried to speak to TV Licencing but couldn't get through.... I there fore contacted them, via Email. I explained, the situation, told them I could Prove both Payment- and that they had 'Taken' the money. I quoted the Reference Number, before Politly- of course- requesting they Sort This Out!
I'll let you all Know......
AndrewT
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A simpler suet feeder roof - both are being used.