OR called, now I'm SCARED!!!

wurzella

Made BR yesterday, got a call from the OR today to make an appointment to go in to the office to see them. I asked why I need to go in as I had heard the interviews were mainly carried out over the phone. I was told that it was because of some new guideline or such concerning self-employed chefs saying they need to have a face to face interview.

Does anyone know anything about this? I am REALLY scared now as I'm thinking there's some kind of problem but I have been honest and truthful on my SOA and I can't think of what I could have done to need to go to the office. Is it really something about my trade or being self-employed, or were they just trying to calm me down before they crucify me? :huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh:

wayforward_2

I know nothing about it but just wanted to say - calm down! Take a deep breath and wait for people to answer who know what they are talking about!

Personally I wouldn't have thought it would be any worse face to face than on the phone - and if you've been truthful - what can they do?

wurzella

I'm sure it's no harder face to face, I'm just worried about WHY it's face to face.

The feeling I've got from reading here and other places is that in most cases it will be done over the phone if everything is in order and only in the office if there are problems or something wrong, isn't that right?

They've asked me to take in very few papers when I go so it doesn't seem like they aren't querying any of my expenses or anything.

Am I going to go to jail? :eek:

headoutofsand

wurzella wrote: »

Made BR yesterday, got a call from the OR today to make an appointment to go in to the office to see them. I asked why I need to go in as I had heard the interviews were mainly carried out over the phone. I was told that it was because of some new guideline or such concerning self-employed chefs saying they need to have a face to face interview.

Does anyone know anything about this? I am REALLY scared now as I'm thinking there's some kind of problem but I have been honest and truthful on my SOA and I can't think of what I could have done to need to go to the office. Is it really something about my trade or being self-employed, or were they just trying to calm me down before they crucify me? :huh::huh::huh::huh::huh::huh:

It may be that chefs are all going BR:D Seriously though, sometimes the self employed and others may be drawn out of a hat for a F2F. It may be that you were SE for a short time, they may need a little more background info that sort of thing. As you say you have been honest and up front and have nothing to fear from the OR, F2F or otherwise.

Your'e not Gordon Ramsay are you?;)

philnicandamy

Not always the case..some OR's insist on FTF interviews (liverpool did with me) and mine was a simple case no assets etc...and knowing the IS service guidelines change weekly!.....to be honest I'd prefer a FTF interview over a phone call everytime that way they can see you & you can get things across far better......you wont be going to jail so try not to worry

wilcoskip

I had my face-to-face this morning. Nothing to worry about, all very friendly. I expect it was because my BR was due to my business collapsing, which added a few complications. I think I prefer a f2f since you can communicate much better this way - read body language, expressions etc.

Don't panic.

wurzella

Not too sure if F2F is better, do you think it'll help my case if they see me blubbing like a little girl?

In all seriousness, I would always choose F2F over the telephone, I hate talking on the phone as there's too much possibility for misunderstandings, it just seemed so far out of the norm to me when everyone else seems to have their's on the phone.

I feel a bit better now you guys have said you had it when there were no complications. Thanks a lot!

philnicandamy

bit of a read here

http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/pdfs/guidanceleafletspdf/interviewedbytheOR.pdf

wurzella

lol headoutofsound, not Gordon, I wish... I'd have plenty of cash stuck away in offshore bank accounts instead of wondering wether I'll have a roof over my head this time next year

antarctica

I'm sure it's just like they said, some sort of regulation change.

Don't worry, at least you'll get a chance to ask any questions that you want answered.

headoutofsand

There are quite a few on here who have had a F2F, mostly of late those who had a business. I had a business but no F2F, I was positive I would have one but no. My BR was in Birmingham and the OR's are very busy,but then as Phil pointed out he had one in Liverpool which is also a big city.

So I suppose you never can tell. I also think I would have preferred a F2F