Benefit Fraud interview with caution..help!

Amanda_Adams

About a week ago, my jobseekers allowance stopped. I rang up to see if there was a problem. After being re-directed, I was told that an investigation was taking place, and they would be in touch within 7 days.
I received a letter this morning telling me to go to a benefit fraud interview with caution on Monday.
The only thing I can think of is that it's in connection with some part time work I occasionally do. I am on holiday/sick relief person in a small shop. At one of the meetings I had to attend at the JC was about 6 months ago, I informed them of this, and they said "we'll see if there's anything else available" and looked on the system for more jobs.
As far as I was concerned, I'd let them know, face to face.

I can't think of anything else it can relate to. Any hours that I work are paid for directly into my bank account, with no intention to mislead.
I am petrified in case my Jobseekers allowance is stopped permenantly, as I am really struggling.
What can I expect at the interview on Monday?

Many Thanks

DX2

Amanda_Adams wrote: »

About a week ago, my jobseekers allowance stopped. I rang up to see if there was a problem. After being re-directed, I was told that an investigation was taking place, and they would be in touch within 7 days.
I received a letter this morning telling me to go to a benefit fraud interview with caution on Monday.
The only thing I can think of is that it's in connection with some part time work I occasionally do. I am on holiday/sick relief person in a small shop. At one of the meetings I had to attend at the JC was about 6 months ago, I informed them of this, and they said "we'll see if there's anything else available" and looked on the system for more jobs.
As far as I was concerned, I'd let them know, face to face.

I can't think of anything else it can relate to. Any hours that I work are paid for directly into my bank account, with no intention to mislead.
I am petrified in case my Jobseekers allowance is stopped permenantly, as I am really struggling.
What can I expect at the interview on Monday?

Many Thanks

Did you actually tell the JCP when you worked these hours and how much you were paid?

soolin

Also are you on a payroll and is any approriate tax and NI being deducted . My worry here would be that you are effectively receiving 'cash in hand' without it going through the books which could look like an intention to hide the income. If it is all properly done and declared to the tax man you might be in a safer position as it then looks like a mistake as why would you stay legit with HMRC yet try and defraud the benefit people?

dmg24

soolin wrote: »

Also are you on a payroll and is any approriate tax and NI being deducted . My worry here would be that you are effectively receiving 'cash in hand' without it going through the books which could look like an intention to hide the income. If it is all properly done and declared to the tax man you might be in a safer position as it then looks like a mistake as why would you stay legit with HMRC yet try and defraud the benefit people?

Wouldn't carry much weight - the amount of people that don't realise records can be cross referenced is surprising!

OP, you would have been advised on several occasions that you need to declare any change in circumstances. Have you done this?

ja247

can I just add, is there not a disregard of 20 pounds per week? There used to be, maybe someone else is sure of this?

DX2

ja247 wrote: »

can I just add, is there not a disregard of 20 pounds per week? There used to be, maybe someone else is sure of this?

That would be for single parents on JSA.
Single person on JSA = £5
Couple on JSA = £10

MrsManda

Have you told your advisor at your signing on appointment of the work you have done since the previous appointment?
When I claimed JSA (admittedly it was a few years ago) you didn't need to call them everytime you did some work but you were supposed to declare it at your signing on appointment if you'd carried out any work since your last appointment, regardless of the number of hours/income earned.

As you don't know precisely what the appointment is about it is not particularly useful to worry about it. If you think it's likely to be the work you've done, I would get together any payslips you have from the job and write out what hours you've worked and when.
If this is the problem, be apologetic, explain that you thought that because you'd mentioned it a few months ago you didn't need to mention it every time you worked and tell them it won't happen again. I've generally found the DWP/JCP to be more understanding if you are polite, open and willing to listen rather.

soolin

MrsManda wrote: »

Have you told your advisor at your signing on appointment of the work you have done since the previous appointment?
When I claimed JSA (admittedly it was a few years ago) you didn't need to call them everytime you did some work but you were supposed to declare it at your signing on appointment if you'd carried out any work since your last appointment, regardless of the number of hours/income earned.

As you don't know precisely what the appointment is about it is not particularly useful to worry about it. If you think it's likely to be the work you've done, I would get together any payslips you have from the job and write out what hours you've worked and when.
If this is the problem, be apologetic, explain that you thought that because you'd mentioned it a few months ago you didn't need to mention it every time you worked and tell them it won't happen again. I've generally found the DWP/JCP to be more understanding if you are polite, open and willing to listen rather.

That's a good point. Admittedly it was a while ago but i went with a friend who was doing her usual sign on as she was between jobs and she was specifically asked whether she had undertaken any work since her last sign on.

Amanda_Adams

Hi,

Thanks for your replies.

I just told the jobcentre what I was doing, and where. At every meeting after that, they asked if my situation had changed, which it hadn't.

I am on the payroll, am paying Tax and NI on it. I also have all my payslips. I am assuming this is what it's all about. I am also claiming housing benefit. This hasn't been stopped, but I'm worried in case it is.

A

melbi_uk

When my daughter took a temp Christmas job on she had to send her wage slips to the JC. Even then, when the job ended they said she had been overpaid JSA. She received less JSA each fortnight until it levelled out again.

If you haven't declared the money you have been paid while working, then hopefully they will do the same as my daughter and just cut the amount until you have paid what you owe.

Good luck

melbi_uk

Amanda,

Have you read up on this kind of interview?

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides/problems-with-benefits/how-to-handle-an-interview-under-caution/what-is-an-interview-under-caution-html,654,FP.html

Hopefully it will help you come Monday.