Have We Commited Benefit Fraud?

Mikem2345

I have been unemployed for 2 years and have been claiming job seekers allowance, I recently had an accident at home and have had to claim Incapacity Benefit. While that was going through up came a data match for my girlfriend living at this address. The reason being we had a child 2 years ago and following the advice of her sister my girlfriend didn't put me on her claims for working tax,child tax and child benefit. Her sister told her this because I wasn't working it wouldn't make much difference. I didn't put her on my incapacity forms as the social security told me I didn't have to as I wouldn't be claiming for her anyway.

Now I am really scared we will end up in court with a £3000 fine:mad: Any ideas what will happen?

CIS

For tax credits your supposed to declare anyone living with you. As your on IB, it might actually have affected the claim, long term IB is a taxable social security benefit and is declareable as income for Tax Credits.

For a person on JSA the JSA should have been declared as it may have affetced your Tax Credits.In a joint claim, where 1 person works and the other receives JSA, tax credits can be taken in to account as income and JSA reduced accordingly.(CPAG handbook)

The best bet is either just to have yourself added on the next claims form and dont say anything or come clean and own up.

Fran

It doesn't sound like you have the choice to "come clean" or not as they have already found your girlfriend at your address.

Seek urgent advice from Citizens Advice Bureau. Some bureaux may be able to go with you to fraud interview.

Make sure you have put in a new current claim to all the appropriate people with the correct details.

Mikem2345

I have spoken to the CAB, they said wait and see if I get a letter first, but I am $hitting it now,

singlehouseholder

In a word Yes, you and your "ex!" Seems fair that you tell the truth, from now on.Does you ex's sister work for the cab or dwp or a welfare rights organisation- sadly too often people take notice of those that really know nothing about legislation in place, or even the basic rules involved with claiming benefits honestly and legally. Your case illustrates a point perfectly. There are those who think its only the nosy neighbours that can "grass" people up for ripping off the taxpayer, not the case....

Fran

Mikem2345 wrote:

I have spoken to the CAB, they said wait and see if I get a letter first, but I am $hitting it now,

Ok, so as soon as you get a letter go to CAB with all your paperwork.

Really you need to make sure the claims you have in for benefits are correct from now on as you have been told there is a match for your girlfriend at the same address and if they now follow this up and you haven't sorted your claims out correctly you are putting yourself in an even worse position.

Mikem2345

singlehouseholder wrote:

In a word Yes, you and your "ex!" Seems fair that you tell the truth, from now on.Does you ex's sister work for the cab or dwp or a welfare rights organisation- sadly too often people take notice of those that really know nothing about legislation in place, or even the basic rules involved with claiming benefits honestly and legally. Your case illustrates a point perfectly. There are those who think its only the nosy neighbours that can "grass" people up for ripping off the taxpayer, not the case....

She actually woks in a benefits office. Doing what I do not know.

Broken_hearted

You knew at the start what you were doing was wrong. At worst you can go to prison, but most likely you will just have to pay back the money. I'm not having a go just saying you have been very stupid and your SIL is in the wrong job!

computerwoman

:j It's best to be open with them right away, the DWP are not stupid but if you make the first move, then it wont go to court, and they will just ask you to pay a reasonable amount back weekly out of your money, but if you wait for them to make the move they might not be so nice about it, you know your in the wrong, so do the right thing now and you'll be able to sleep better at night's, it's your only option really.

payless

I thought max JSA allowance ( individual contribution absis) was 6months
after that goes to Income related JSA, on which you would have to detail "household income"

Isn't there a NI contribution level requirement before ICB is paid - does 2 yrs JSA go towards this ?

singlehouseholder

Bravo, a civil servant telling someone to commit fraud- there's a sackable offence if I ever heard one, its not about, what can I get out of the govt- taxpayers pocket, its about what YOU ARE ENTITLED TO!! Simple as.
Can't be easy for you though being out of work for 2 years, I had the misfortune of being incapacitated for a full year, that drove me up the wall!!! Good luck Job Hunting!!!