Compliance Visit

GlasweJen

I got a letter through from the DWP/Jobcentre Plus stating that they are coming to visit me because "a query has risen on your claim". I know that I have absolutely nothing to worry about and given what I know about these visits it probably has more to do with me splitting up with my ex than it does with any problems with my benefits claim.

My only problem is that the date they've given me (Thursday) is a day that I work and I can't get the day off because another member of staff is on holiday so they are already short staffed. I've tried to call the number at the top of the letter (it's a local number) and the phone just rings out, there isn't even an answering machine.

Does anyone know if there is a national number I can call to get this appointment rescheduled?

Also I've lost my most recent DLA award notice but I wont need that surely?

GlasweJen

It's fine, just realise that they're probably closed because there's a bank holiday in England. I'll give them a call tomorrow to reschedule.

Benefits_Bod

Maybe I'm simply bitter and cynical, but in my experience visiting officers tend, on the whole, not to have a particularly good knowledge of the benefits about which they are visiting.

If you still can't get through by phone after the BH, is there still time to write? Alternatively, are you able to visit the office in question (I noticed the reference to DLA, but don't know whether any disability prevents the option of you contacting the DWP/Jobcentre).

I think it would be sensible to try and establish the purpose of the visit. If the DWP / Jobcentre is at all cagey, it may well be worth having a friend present as a witness to what is / is not said.

As an aside, where HB/CTB is concerned, a LA can certainly ask to visit, but there is no legal basis on which they can insist on entry - I don't know enough about JSA/IS etc to be so sure of my ground on those benefits.

GlasweJen

I only get DLA, disabled tax credits and help with travelling costs through access to work.

DLA is middle care, lower mobility indefinite award and was only renewed last year. Care needs have not changed and I still collapse at random and need someone with me when I'm out and about.

Disabled tax credits, just got the award notice in, no dramatic change from last year and it all adds up using the online calculator so that's not the problem.

Access to work, i've submitted an invoice late recently but part of my disability involves being rubbish at remembering anything so that's hardly suspicious!

I don't claim anything like JSA/ESA/IB/IS/LHA/CTB so really don't think I've got much to worry about.

jonnyboy82

there is certainley a problem somewere in your claim.

Bryando

Or your ex may be trying to cause grief! I've had what 4 visits from them in 2 years! We've had information that somebody else lives here etc etc. The guy has now clicked on that the reports are rubbish.
He asked to check the rooms on the first visit, however I refused. Nothing can be taken from that. He wants to look therefore 'search' he can get authority from the Sheriff Court. That never happened ,but at times I feel these visits can be at times heavy.

So what you claim might all be well, just somebody has said something and they need to come and speak to you.

GlasweJen

It's not an interview under caution which means that they have no evidence to suspect that I'm doing anything wrong with regard to my benefit claim. Compliance visit is basically a visit to see if they can dig any dirt. They are more than welcome to come to my house, they can see things like the fire guard, the corner protectors on the furniture, the baby gate to stop me walking down stairs and collapsing in my sleep. My life is the same every day and I certainly qualify for my DLA award, my tax credits and my help with working. DWP are more than welcome to come and see me in my home but I'm not taking a day off for them to do it.

munchings-n-crunchings

I'd just sort out your bank statements before the visit.
If they are coming to check your circumstances, that's one think that they often like to see, so it will show your wages, DLA etc going in to your account.

In the meantime ring the DWP and ask for a copy of your award notice, just for your records. Departments like to see it, even though the amounts show up on your bank statement.
It might also be useful to have any confirmation regarding disability / diagnosis to hand, just to back you up.

The better prepared yo are in advance, the less stressful the visit will be.

Hopefully it will be a load of nothing,

Regards
Munchie

atrixblue.-MFR-.

GlasweJen wrote: »

It's not an interview under caution which means that they have no evidence to suspect that I'm doing anything wrong with regard to my benefit claim. Compliance visit is basically a visit to see if they can dig any dirt. They are more than welcome to come to my house, they can see things like the fire guard, the corner protectors on the furniture, the baby gate to stop me walking down stairs and collapsing in my sleep. My life is the same every day and I certainly qualify for my DLA award, my tax credits and my help with working. DWP are more than welcome to come and see me in my home but I'm not taking a day off for them to do it.

wrong a compliance visit is to clarify what you say in your forms for benefits DLA/esa etc, once they get a phone call through fraud hotline outlining certain descrepancies within your claim they most certainly will send out a compliance officer, they dont usually send one out unless they have a certain amount of evidence to go on.
you may have been watched by the DWP first hand due to a report through the hotline. dont take all in your stride thinking you have nothing to fear, get yourself a friend in on the interview with a pen and paper, if your rechedule you will raise eyebrows within DWP. they have no right to look around your property and you can refuse entry conducting the interview on your doorstep, refusing entry will spark a deeper investigation into yourself by the DPW.

GlasweJen

Thanks Munchie, I don't have much documentation about my conditon, i've had it so long that we don't have anything up to date on it. I have my medication which sits in the bathroom in view of everything, hospital appointment cards for pacemaker clinic, cardiac clinic, cardiac rehab etc, will get some of those together.

Indie_Kid

Do you have the white bit of your prescription for repeats?