Wanted: Solicitor for local legal advice re housing benefit

Princedomino

Princedomino

Well-Known Forumite
I need a solicitor local to Stafford who has experience of housing benefit. I need them to look over the replies I've constructed to questions being asked by the local council housing benefit decision maker. I'm helping my niece with her claim for housing benefit for a place she's just moved to. Her circumstances are complicated following a relationship breakdown and the housing benefit officer has sent a letter asking a range of questions and I want to make sure we are presenting the situation truthfully in the most positive way. Their advocate says we should get a solicitor to comment on our replies before submission but they're not allowed to recommend any particular solicitor. They say it doesn't cost much as it's not an in depth job. If anyone has any experience of this and could recommend someone I'd be very grateful. TIA.
 
John Marwood

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
You won't like this reply but you might appreciate it


Do not use a Stafford solicitor, instead look at one of the larger companies regionally, someone who will have a specialist in this field and not someone who has this listed as one of their many specialties.

Simple it maybe but that is no reason to fall foul of any incompetance or sloppiness

You will of course find a delay in achieving this because of the timing of your question
 
Princedomino

Princedomino

Well-Known Forumite
John Marwood said:
You won't like this reply but you might appreciate it


Do not use a Stafford solicitor, instead look at one of the larger companies regionally, someone who will have a specialist in this field and not someone who has this listed as one of their many specialties.

Simple it maybe but that is no reason to fall foul of any incompetance or sloppiness

You will of course find a delay in achieving this because of the timing of your question
Click to expand...

Thanks John. I need to do a bit of Internet searching then. I think I'll start with the www.benefitsandwork.co.uk Guides you can trust as they are always very informative & have had a lot of successs with appeals re atos.
 
mimbee

mimbee

Well-Known Forumite
Have you considered approaching the Citizens Advice Bureau? They actually have a Housing Solicitor there who can help you. I think you have an initial interview with one of the advisers before seeing the solicitor though. It may be worth approaching them in the first instance.
 
Princedomino

Princedomino

Well-Known Forumite
mimbee said:
Have you considered approaching the Citizens Advice Bureau? They actually have a Housing Solicitor there who can help you. I think you have an initial interview with one of the advisers before seeing the solicitor though. It may be worth approaching them in the first instance.
Click to expand...
Yes I have used them once for one of my own issues -and they were brilliant. I had to queue and have an initial appointment and they then called me back for a formal appointment a few weeks later with a qualified adviser who gave superb advice so i would definitely recommend others to persevere with the queuing thing. However, they've since advised me that I'm not entitled to see one of their advisors in the future as I earn more than the limit they set. It's too difficult for my niece to attend and other people who have been through this similar issue and set of questions have all used a solicitor to check their replies so whilst it may cost a little it seems to assist in a positive decision. Thanks tho for taking time to reply and I'm sure this will help others. :)
 
Mrmat

Mrmat

Well-Known Forumite
Hi Prince Domino!

I cant help with legal advice but im part of an organisation called House of Bread. We try and help people through such periods, there are certain bits of advice i would give but we have a food bank and there are other bits we can do aswell. We cook a two or three course dinner at Trinity church (opp wilko) every wednesday from 6pm and thats open to anyone who wants it, you would be most welcome to pop down and grab a chat with one of our volunteers...

http://www.hobstafford.co.uk/

Hope you can get your niece sorted and if there is anything we can do to make the journey easier do let us know!

Matt
 
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