Suspected of Benefit Fraud

airheadm

I have recently received a letter from Job Centre Plus regarding a claim to Income Support. I have to attend an interview as they suspect I have committed a criminal offence because of failing to declare capital.

I have been in the unfortunate position of having to claim Income Support over the last 2 years, During this time I have also been exempt from paying council tax.

I have no savings of my own and have had to live hand-to-mouth during the last 2 years. My elderly mother has even had to buy me groceries for a 'treat'.

I have NOT intentionally made any false claims and have always been in the belief that money I have for my son, albeit in my name which has not and will not be touched until he reaches university age, did not have to be declared when claiming any benefits. The amount is £10,000.

I am a genuine, honest person and never been in trouble before but I do believe whole-heartedly that I have not committed any criminal offence. However I have since 'googled' benefit fraud and I am now beginning to think that I may in fact have committed offences when claiming council tax benefit and Income Support. I have not intentionally meant to commit 'fraud' I just believe that I have been niaive in thinking that I did not have to declare this money as I have never thought of it as mine.

What will happen next? I am a single parent, will I go to prison over this 'offence' will they give me time to find a home for my little boy if I am sent to prison?

I have just started a part-time job and have notified Income Support and Council Tax of my hours etc. I was just starting to think I was getting my life back on track after 2 long years of being on benefits when I received this letter.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am at a loss and an emotional wreck as to know what to do.

DX2

You won't go to prison, you will just have to re pay what you weren't legally entitled to. Get advice from the CAB.

Ive_A_Horse_Outside

Wont go to prison - will just ave to repay the benefits you received while having 10K in the bank......

happy35

where did this money for your son come from? if it was left to him in a will etc do you have anything to prove this?

Incyder

Oh dear.
I'm afraid saying it is someone elses money won't wash, or else everyone would be doing it to evade all sorts of taxes and get benefits.

Luckily, you may not be in too much poop. If it was over 16k you would be.
You will have to repay some back.
Prison= no way.

karenx

Even though the money is for your son its in your name so that means you have acess to it.
So you should of declared this. Anything over 6k in savings has an effect on your benefits so you will find yourself having to pay back benefits

McKneff

And stop worrying, you wont go to prison,

You'll be worrying your little boy too, so just eplain everything when you have your interview.
Can yu tell us where the money came from for your little boy

CCFC_80

There is some very good advice if you search on the web regarding being interviewed for benefit fraud. Make sure that you get good advice from a solicitor or someone from The CAB beforehand and make sure that someone is present with you when your interviewed.

Just to repeat what everyone else has said that there is no way you will go to prison just for this but you would have to pay any overpayment back.

dseventy

You can't not declare some money you have because its put aside for a purpose!

Jail probably not but you will have to pay back all the overpayments you have had.

So you will need to spend the money to support yourself!

D70

Oldernotwiser

Although you won't go to gaol, you will have to pay back the benefits you've claimed and you may face a criminal prosecution.

Have you been claiming Housing Benefit as well?

tod123

a criminal record, 100 hours unpaid work , and pay the cash back at the rate of £2.50p a month.