Hi all , looking for a bit of advice ,
Situation is i am a carer for a friend (i live separate)
BACKGROUND-
Benefits received- pip mobility - standard / pip daily living - standard / ESA and 20 yr daughter works between 15-20 hrs min wage
My friend was violently attacked a few years ago , suffers with PTSD , severe anxiety , after speaking with her councillor and police it was advised it would be good if she was re-housed with her 20 yr daughter , the local council were excellent and 2 months ago she was re - housed ,
but then the problems started , an application was put in for housing benefits at new address straight away (which we were told no need to apply for council tax benefits as they run concurrently ) . 8 weeks on not one payment has been received for housing benefits , the council housing department been sending letters asking for £688 due rent or “could face eviction” and the council tax bill arrives for £650 ! , the big issue is all of this stress and worry my friend is drained and suicidal , i have been in touch with council so many times and just get lied to “payment has been processed” then weeks later "we can not find anything on system " its been a nightmare everyone from council seems to give a different story every time i ring up …
On top of all this, at first when her daughter wanted a job we enquired with council and benefits asking what impact it would have on payments and were told " If getting pip - daily living payment, a non dependant earning money ( her daughter) would be classed as a exemption ) but now 2 months on my friend receives a letter from council tax saying she owes them £650 and single person discount been removed , which works out at around £30 a week council tax which they can not afford , i really dont know who to turn to for advice , i am so worried that my friend will take her own life as she feels so helpless and can not cope with demands for money , any advice much appreciated especially info on council tax / pip /non-dependants / exemptions , many thanks