Housing benefit - not declaring saving acct

emiai

I already had the home visit, i just didnt tell them them i offset the money each week for bills.

I do it because of making sure i dont overspend etc.. I dont have meters here like some people who pay out weekly.

The letter is asking for me to take in the information. I do work btw - and i dont get much in benefits from them, but im feeling really bad now incase its seen as fraud.

They want - June pay slip and the statements for the accounts I transfer money too. One account was used for bills savings, the other had 2k in it for a downpayment on a car - we bought a zafira last Monday on finance but needed a big chunk off it, with our old car as part exchange.

So i used 2 savings and 1 current account, and didnt tell them about both savings accounts. we saved the 2k up over 18months.

I have had no more then 3k at any time between the accounts. So therefore im feeling a bit better, so il be taking everything down shortly that they have asked for.

Should I also take down the childrens savings accounts, I transfer £5 a month to them, not alot but its better than nothing. That will be on my statements too.

karenx

If you are named on the childrens accounts that means you have acess to the money so yes those are included also. If its soley in their names then there is no need but take them anyway so they can see where the £5's go to

DX2

emiai wrote: »

I already had the home visit, i just didnt tell them them i offset the money each week for bills.

I do it because of making sure i dont overspend etc.. I dont have meters here like some people who pay out weekly.

The letter is asking for me to take in the information. I do work btw - and i dont get much in benefits from them, but im feeling really bad now incase its seen as fraud.

They want - June pay slip and the statements for the accounts I transfer money too. One account was used for bills savings, the other had 2k in it for a downpayment on a car - we bought a zafira last Monday on finance but needed a big chunk off it, with our old car as part exchange.

So i used 2 savings and 1 current account, and didnt tell them about both savings accounts. we saved the 2k up over 18months.

I have had no more then 3k at any time between the accounts. So therefore im feeling a bit better, so il be taking everything down shortly that they have asked for.

Should I also take down the childrens savings accounts, I transfer £5 a month to them, not alot but its better than nothing. That will be on my statements too.

Define benefits?

You say you work so I'm assuming working tax credits, child tax credits, child benefit? Then your wages and again I'm assuming your husband/partner works as you say "we" bought a car.

emiai

benefits in this case as housing / ct benefit.

Yes we get the above but do not claim foir childcare,

Hes working, and he earns just over minimum wage. I took early leave from work to have the baby.

I am not getting maternity and have to go back to work asap.

liam8282

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2335971

Is that the savings account your talking about with over £1,100 balance at 13/03/10?

Did you then have another account that had the £2,000 in that you used for the deposit on your new car in June?

Then you have other accounts that you transfer money to because you don't want to spend money that is to pay for your bills?

To be fair, you can see why they want to do, or have done a home visit to check everything out. It all gets confusing very quickly.

Transferring money via several accounts, when there is no real need, is one of the main pointers towards money laundering, not saying that you are doing this, but that is what the banks look out for.

emiai

The plussaver had the 2k in, the other account and then i used a normal saving account to put up £40 a week into.

I originally wanted to put it all into the plus saver for the better rate of interest, but to save confusing bill money and car fund i kept them seperate.

Sounds confusing. Looks like I am going to have to keep it all in one account from now on and just make sure i dont spend anything I shouldnt be touching.

Sallyann58

Can totally see why you keep the money separately.
Def think you should get in touch with the Council and just go and explain it to them. If you haven't got loads of dosh then they aren't going to be concerned.
But take the bull by the horns and go and see them. Far better than them starting an investigation and you getting hauled in.
If you get yourself an appointment to go and see someone you can take all the bank statements for all the accounts and then you can show how you deal with your finances. Easier to explain face to face.

mgirl_2

I agree with other posters - you should get all of your bank statements and account books and take them with you. Explain that you forgot about this account, explain what you used it for - as Sallyann says, much easier face to face. Also, if the statements show a large sum going out because of the car, try to find the receipt for that money and take it with you. It sounds as though your capital (savings) will be low enough not to affect your benefit, so there is probably no overpayment.