Social Welfare Visit

ABajaninCork

Hi. I just wanted to ask a quick question:

When applying for Rent Allowance, it's normal for the CWO to visit you at home. Do they normally give notice they are coming?

Reason why I ask this is that our claim has been outstanding for a couple of months. It was supposed to be a straight reinstatement of our claim, but the RA was stopped until the end of the contract. We were told it would take about three weeks for it to be restored, but so far it's taken nine! We've had to call out to the CWO several times as they do not return calls or e-mails.

Last time we called, we were kept waiting for 20 minutes, even though we were the only ones there. When we got to see the CWO, he claimed he was coming out to visit us that morning! No prior notice was given. No problem to us, as we live round the corner from the office and have nothing to hide, but I thought it was a little odd, as the previous CWO always used to call to say she was coming.

Thoughts anyone?

edellc

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Hi. I just wanted to ask a quick question:

When applying for Rent Allowance, it's normal for the CWO to visit you at home. Do they normally give notice they are coming?

Reason why I ask this is that our claim has been outstanding for a couple of months. It was supposed to be a straight reinstatement of our claim, but the RA was stopped until the end of the contract. We were told it would take about three weeks for it to be restored, but so far it's taken nine! We've had to call out to the CWO several times as they do not return calls or e-mails.

Last time we called, we were kept waiting for 20 minutes, even though we were the only ones there. When we got to see the CWO, he claimed he was coming out to visit us that morning! No prior notice was given. No problem to us, as we live round the corner from the office and have nothing to hide, but I thought it was a little odd, as the previous CWO always used to call to say she was coming.

Thoughts anyone?

They have to come and check where your living is up to housing standards as its govt money being handed out to private LL's so the need to check its livable, also that it is where you say it is and are living Like you claim to be

The twice I have dealt with them they informed me of the visit prior to it, once while in returning rent forms and the second time I received a letter stating date and time as in morning or afternoon

Sounds to me like the cwo forgot about you tbh lucky you paid them a visit hope its sorted soon for you

ABajaninCork

Yeah, that's what I thought too! You know, he must think I'm as thick as he is! We've always been informed of any visits the CWO makes. But the CWO we had previous was very good, she would always return calls, and let us know when she was coming round.

The new one however is a different kettle of fish. I was promised the forms in the post. Waited a week, left a message saying form nor received, and eventually had to call round to get it. Since then I've been steadily hounding the man in person fortnightly. Like I say he never bothers to return calls...

MariMel

Here you are not told when the CWO will visit you.
Its easy enough to work out though when you know the times of their clinics.
But that still means its any of 2 afternoons or one morning.

I missed a visit once cos my doorbell wasnt working but he phoned to say he was outside. No letter.

edellc

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Yeah, that's what I thought too! You know, he must think I'm as thick as he is! We've always been informed of any visits the CWO makes. But the CWO we had previous was very good, she would always return calls, and let us know when she was coming round.

The new one however is a different kettle of fish. I was promised the forms in the post. Waited a week, left a message saying form nor received, and eventually had to call round to get it. Since then I've been steadily hounding the man in person fortnightly. Like I say he never bothers to return calls...

Just make sure he doesn't do you for stalking lol

Equality

You are not expected to sit at home waiting for them to arrive.

If they want to visit you at home, they have to tell you the time/date. If they don't do that, then there is no problem if you are not there.

They may visit on a number of occasions, unannounced, to see if you actually live there, or to see if anyone else is living there, because if someone else is living there they should be contributing to the rent. They sometimes also chat to the neighbours and/or drive by very late at night or early in the morning.

mrsbyrne

its very simple. they dont have to tell you the time or date that they are calling, and they wont tell you the time or date. its no problem if your not there, but they will leave a calling card requesting that you contact them to arrange another visit, within a certain time frame. Its when you dont make that call that there will be a problem.

quiz

Do they actually drive by late at night? Why? To check your not having a party? What use is it unless they come to the door?

areyawell

You could have easily saying you werent there for the day and make another arrangement

mrsbyrne

quiz wrote: »

Do they actually drive by late at night? Why? To check your not having a party? What use is it unless they come to the door?

If you have declared that you are living at your address alone or only with certain persons, and the Inspector has some suspicions that that is not the case, then driving by at night, or early in the morning, and observing comings and goings from the house can help to either allay or confirm those suspicions. SW inspectors have access to the database which reveals the owners of car registrations.
Just to add SW Inspectors are not running around spying on every single SW claimant. They couldnt possibly. Its only where there is suspected fraud. And we're all glad of that.

ABajaninCork

If you have nothing to hide, then there's nothing to worry about...