This is just a general enquiry as I do not know if it is the local authority that I deal with that has this issue or if it is a wider issue.

When clients are sent the tenant notification letters, which set out the Housing and Council Tax Benefits entitlement there is a section headed income and within that part of the assessment are the income disregards. However when a client is awarded or entitled to the 16/30 hours higher income disregard of £16.05 it is also calculated but it is never shown. Given this the figures if you actually sat down with a calculator to check them never add as the amount you get is always £16.05 more.

My point is how can clients reasonably be expected to know this?

I have raised it with Wandsworth Council, the first time was around 15 months ago, but they have still not remedied the issue.

i suspect they cant be expected to understand this, and most claimants are none the wiser to a HB calculation letter.

it could be to their advantage in the event of an overpayment occuring though, especially if youve already queried the confusion that could be caused by the lack of clarity

My point to them is how can you use the fact that the tenant has been sent letters, which are wrong, and from that information they should have reasonably have realised that they had been overpaid

The answer is you cant and the princple was confirmed by Mr Commissioner Jacobs in CH/2554/2002 and again by Mr Deputy Commissioner Mark in CH/2935/2005.