Benefit Compliance Officer Visit??

Roxi-rocket

Hi There

I received a letter in the post today saying a compliance officer will be coming to see me as there is a query on my benefit...

I am on Disability & Incapacity due to illness which is not in question or dispute as unfortunately it is long term at present.

The last thing I want is to be on benefits, I hate it but poor health is making it my only choice for now.

Who are the Compliance Officers?

For what reason do they decide to visit?

Are they suspecting something or is it an innocent visit?

My only change is I recently started the permitted work of up to 4 hours per week as I am desperate to work again so seeing what I can manage so could it be this??

Any advice is very much appreciated as I am worried & stress does not help my health

Roxi-rocket

Also I forgot to add that they have asked to see Id. to show my name & address, I assume this is routine??

Prinzessilein

The visit is almost definitely routine. (Don't worry about the word 'query'...that makes it sound like they suspect you of something - they don't really!)

If you are feeling unsettled, there is nothing to stop you having someone with you for the visit. I have ASD and get really stressed by having strangers visit. We phoned beforehand to confirm that I could have my carer with me, and the officer was absolutely fantastic! She arranged for us to meet elsewhere first (at my mum/carer's house) until I felt confident enough to have a stranger in my home - and then we all went across together.

And yes, showing your ID is absolutely normal. A bill in your name or something similatr is all that's necessary.

Roxi-rocket

Prinzessilein wrote: »

The visit is almost definitely routine. (Don't worry about the word 'query'...that makes it sound like they suspect you of something - they don't really!)

If you are feeling unsettled, there is nothing to stop you having someone with you for the visit. I have ASD and get really stressed by having strangers visit. We phoned beforehand to confirm that I could have my carer with me, and the officer was absolutely fantastic! She arranged for us to meet elsewhere first (at my mum/carer's house) until I felt confident enough to have a stranger in my home - and then we all went across together.

And yes, showing your ID is absolutely normal. A bill in your name or something similatr is all that's necessary.

Thank you for your advice.

I honestly feel sick, I hate being on benefits & it is the last thing I want.:(

I have real problems with my stairs & hope to move but with the market as it is it would be impossible just now. I live myself but due to such poor health my carers come in & stay some nights, ie. my mum, dad & boyfriend...

Is this an issue??

Sam____2

Roxi-rocket wrote: »

Thank you for your advice.

I honestly feel sick, I hate being on benefits & it is the last thing I want.:(

I have real problems with my stairs & hope to move but with the market as it is it would be impossible just now. I live myself but due to such poor health my carers come in & stay some nights, ie. my mum, dad & boyfriend...

Is this an issue??

If they suspect your boyfriend is staying over regularly/living with you then that may be the reason for their visit...

TOBRUK

Hi Roxi-rocket, I had a visit from one of these officers a couple of months ago and didn't know the reason for the visit as it didn't say anything on the letter I received saying that a compliance officer would be visiting or reasons why!

It did state on the letter that I would need to show ID and listed a number of documents I may be asked to see.

Obviously it is worrying when you receive such a letter and wonder why the visit etc. If you have done nothing wrong you have no worries anyway. I wasn't aware until after the visit that a 'compliance officer' is what used to be called a fraud investigator!!

Before the visit I had gathered together all letters I had received from the DLA, IS etc Bank statements for the last year just incase they would ask to look at anything etc.

When he arrived he was ok but no small talk and he never looked me in the eye! He asked to see my ID and then said that I apparently owed them over £200 of overpayment! I couldn't understand what he was on about, however once I gave all the correspondence I had received from DLA and IS which he read, in the end it was a mistake that they had done - I didn't owe anything. He wrote down all his findings.

There had been a lack of communication from different departments in the same office. There had been a change in my DLA award and there was an increase in payment which they had made a mix up on! He did tell me before leaving that he didn't think I owed anything and would be writing a report and sending it to the office and I would probably hear from them in a few weeks - I haven't heard anything since as it was their mistake!

I was so glad that I had all letters etc at hand, so be prepared.

annies_mum

if the op isn't getting IS or HB would there be a problem if the b/f stayed over?

kaya

i got one of those letters from the compliance team, it was from the fraud dept(although they wouldnt tell me that untill we were face to face), somebody may have reported you for benefit fraud, its easy to do annonymously if you're vinctive(as are most ex's), but the lady i had the interview with was very nice indeed, all sorted out in 5 mins, no intimidation or pressure, please, please don't worry about the visit (unless you have reason too)

andyandflo

TOBRUK wrote: »

Hi Roxi-rocket, I had a visit from one of these officers a couple of months ago and didn't know the reason for the visit as it didn't say anything on the letter I received saying that a compliance officer would be visiting or reasons why!

It did state on the letter that I would need to show ID and listed a number of documents I may be asked to see.

Obviously it is worrying when you receive such a letter and wonder why the visit etc. If you have done nothing wrong you have no worries anyway. I wasn't aware until after the visit that a 'compliance officer' is what used to be called a fraud investigator!!

Before the visit I had gathered together all letters I had received from the DLA, IS etc Bank statements for the last year just incase they would ask to look at anything etc.

When he arrived he was ok but no small talk and he never looked me in the eye! He asked to see my ID and then said that I apparently owed them over £200 of overpayment! I couldn't understand what he was on about, however once I gave all the correspondence I had received from DLA and IS which he read, in the end it was a mistake that they had done - I didn't owe anything. He wrote down all his findings.

There had been a lack of communication from different departments in the same office. There had been a change in my DLA award and there was an increase in payment which they had made a mix up on! He did tell me before leaving that he didn't think I owed anything and would be writing a report and sending it to the office and I would probably hear from them in a few weeks - I haven't heard anything since as it was their mistake!

I was so glad that I had all letters etc at hand, so be prepared.

Am I not correct that they have to advise of the reason for the visit beforehand and what evidence they have to substantiate the enquiry? Personally, I would not wish to discuss/be interviewed without legal representation. This would avoid the risk of the officer coming along on a 'fishing' expedition.

I am sure that my solicitor (son in law) would want to talk to them first before any interview. Or is that only in the case of formal recorded interviews where you will be cautioned in accordance with PACE procedures?

I will ask him in the morning when he comes round for coffee and let you know.

Indie_Kid

annies_mum wrote: »

if the op isn't getting IS or HB would there be a problem if the b/f stayed over?

IB & DLA aren't income based, if that's what you mean?

Sam____2

andyandflo wrote: »

Am I not correct that they have to advise of the reason for the visit beforehand and what evidence they have to substantiate the enquiry? Personally, I would not wish to discuss/be interviewed without legal representation. This would avoid the risk of the officer coming along on a 'fishing' expedition.

I am sure that my solicitor (son in law) would want to talk to them first before any interview. Or is that only in the case of formal recorded interviews where you will be cautioned in accordance with PACE procedures?

I will ask him in the morning when he comes round for coffee and let you know.

It's not an interview under caution, so no representation is required but if you start messing them about by not complying then it could end up that way. If you've nothng to hide then what's the problem in letting them in?

and if this son in law is the same person who gives you all you're other pearls of wisdom, I'd be taking any advice from him with a huge pinch of salt...