help with benefit changes

eternity23

I got married end of january 2009 moved in together shortly after.I called the benefit office to tell them the changes in my living arrangement and my marriage in February 2009.
I have just had to go to a benefit fraud interview because i have just been told i should of informed them of the changes when i planned the wedding and any joint accounts with my husband and not when it actually happened this was a few months prior to my wedding.
Do any one know about these situations because i really dont understand how they can do this.

dmg24

You do not give us any information to work with.

Are you honestly saying that you did not live together until shortly after the wedding?

eternity23

yes we moved in after we got married.
we have two children and i was on benefits we was in a relationship for years but never lived together till we was married.
benefit office knew all the facts at the time
i am now being told that i should of told them when i decided to get married and not when i got married i paid back the over payment that was payed to me between getting married and informing them of the changes.

alwaysonthego_2

Does he work?

eternity23

yes he does work
i was told by the tax credit people that my benefit will change when i get married or when he moves in which was fine,its income support that is finding the problem and tells me that i should of declared it to them when i started to plan getting married this was in the end of october 08 but how can you tell them then when nothing changed at that point only we opened up a joint account to pay for a wedding.

alwaysonthego_2

I think you need from an experience solicitor, but the problem you may have is that they could consider you as a couple of the same household even if you were living apart. As you fit the critera i.e you have children together, you spent time together, had a sexual relationship, possibly financial links that you may be treated as LTAHW. This is why you need expert help.

Vickk_2

go to CAB they are really good at helping with this kinda of thing, always served me well

eternity23

Thanks for the advice.

alwaysonthego_2

Vickk wrote: »

go to CAB they are really good at helping with this kinda of thing, always served me well

The CAB may not help if it is to do with fraud, whether it was delibrate or not. Though they should be able to offer some advice.

leemack

Opening a joint account and planning a wedding, does not constitute living together for benefit purposes, but that's if the LA believe that you didn't live togther

The LA's systems would flag up things like the bank accounts and they have a duty to investigate. They normally investigate and do an interview under caution in case the evidence that is uncovered causes the LA to have to take further action. The case then goes to a superviser to make a decision on what to do next.

If the investigating team are happy with the answers you gave at your taped interview then they won't take it any further. If they don't believe you then they will find an overpayment and possibly take further action.

The LA should write to you to let you know what their decision is. If the decision is not in your favour then you need to get advice from a specialist benefit adviser and possibly appeal the decision.