Sam
i have been on the receiving end of gobbledygook explanations about 'creating' overpayments and underpayments etc, which are all to do with the LA's internal accounting systems, and i'd put the risk of brain damage from getting involved in it as very high.
imo the line of least resistence is to work it out in English, and then tell them how much they owe your client. how they sort it out on their computer system is their business. if you work out your client's HB entitlement during the period, which you have indicated was continuous, and compare with the amount _actually_ credited to him (this doesn't sound easy, i must admit). the shortfall should be what he is owed. it is considerably easier if he was not in arrears before 27/1/03, but even if he was, the arrears should not have grown, assuming he has had entitlement to FULL housing benefit continously since then. the LA has no basis to deduct £8.25 if his overpayment appeal succeeded. i'm afraid i don't understand the bit about the landlord removing £400 in SP payments - removed from where-how?
if your client doesn't have full HB entitlement, unfortunately i can only suggest some sort of chemical lobotomy. i'm off to the pub right now...
jan
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