Fraud investigation income support, advice appreciated

AnxiousMum

I'd like to think that if I was on income support, and I won £60K that I'd use that towards childcare costs, retraining, or to set myself up in a small business of some kind to look to the future......but hey ho

Because Child Tax Credits are paid based on your income, and households with income up to £60k per annum are eligible for child tax credits (or somewhere around that figure!) - your winnings has likely made you ineligible for them for the rest of this year, because they are income based, just like your housing benefits.
A mother at my kids' old school was just done for benefit fraud - she got 12 months, was put inside, out in three with an ankle bracelet for the next three and very strict curfews. She's having to repay the £65K as well. Like you, she didn't mention important information to them - she forgot to tell them she got married

markyb1888

I naively didnt think it mattered as i wasnt working and gambling earnings are tax free.

Although as said i understand now that your only allowed up to £16k in savings but i didnt realise this.

markyb1888

From what i see the figure ive been overpaid is around £3k-£4k

dookar

markyb1888 wrote: »

From what i see the figure ive been overpaid is around £3k-£4k

Do you have that left from your winnings?

Pretty simple, if so, apologise for the mistake and pay it back

AnxiousMum

In that case, I think I'd be tempted to go in to the interview, admit the oversight, and have a bankers cheque in hand to try and avoid any charges. Scary situation though for someone who honestly believes they were doing right -which, when I read your post and you stated that you had notified housing benefits, thought that you showed you thought you were doing the right thing. Doesn't make sense to declare to one form of benefit and not the other unless it was a genuine oversight. Hopefully they see it that way for you.

wearside_2

My advice to you is to be honest and explain that you thought that earnings from gambling were not take into account. I am not sure how you explain about the £60K capital but if you are honest and stick to what you thought at the time, that is the explanation that they will make any decision on. One question I expect they will ask, is did you know that by having £60k your benefit (income support) would be effected? I am not sure how you will answer this, as everyone really knows that if you have £60K it will have some effect on your benefit.

Remember do not lie!!!!

markyb1888

dookar wrote: »

Do you have that left from your winnings?

Pretty simple, if so, apologise for the mistake and pay it back

Im happy to do this however im unsure if this will end the matter or not.


Thanks for the feedback

markyb1888

wearside wrote: »

One question I expect they will ask, is did you know that by having £60k your benefit (income support) would be effected? I am not sure how you will answer this, as everyone really knows that if you have £60K it will have some effect on your benefit.

Remember do not lie!!!!

Yeah as i said , i stupidly thought it didnt matter as it was from gambling earnings and i still wasnt working but yes i can see this was naive at best.

wearside_2

markyb1888 wrote: »

Im happy to do this however im unsure if this will end the matter or not.


Thanks for the feedback

Even if you offer to repay, it will have no effect on whether they will take any further action (prosecuton). Any overpayment will have to be repaid no matter what decision is reached.

Fran

wearside wrote: »

Even if you offer to repay, it will have no effect on whether they will take any further action (prosecuton). Any overpayment will have to be repaid no matter what decision is reached.

Yes, I suggest you get some advice on this.