Benefit Fraud interview with caution..help!

no-oneknowsme

eskimo26 wrote: »

4 people just ignored you and made off topic posts. Better luck next time. Maybe you guys just enjoy wasting hours editting topics instead of enforcing the rules harder. Either way its obvious from the fact you have been ignored how much respect there is on this forum for you, i honestly feel terrible for you.

Oh flipping eck...its like being back at school :rotfl:

Amanda_Adams

Hi,

Didn't get chance to log in after the meeting yesterday, but thought I'd give an update!

I took with me a friend to the meeting with me, who was a known County Councillor, and I was glad I did. Just to have a strong person with me made all the difference.

I also had with me a copy of my employment contract stating that I was "Occasional sick/holiday relief", my bank statements showing payments in, and all my payslips.
They had already been in touch with my employers and had all the details of when and how much I was paid, so that I was glad I had been completely open and honest. My details matched theirs.
There was one officer present who had two tape machines, and my rights were read to me, so the interview was daunting. However I think I'd built myself up into such a state of panic that I was a bit of a quivering wreck.
I stuck to my guns throughout, and the officer wrote down much of what I was saying as he said some things needed further investigation to check that the correct procedure was being followed by the jobcentre.

The entire thing took about 45 minutes.

He did say that I may need to go in again, and a decision wouldn't be made immediately, it could be weeks or months. My Jobseekers Allowance has been reinstated, and I need to take in my payslip each week and fill in a form to say how many hours I have worked that week. This is starting from next week.

I feel very relieved that this part of things is over with.

I would like to say a huge thank you for everyone who gave their support, and I shall keep you posted.

A

Eeyore2009

Glad to hear it went ok Amanda

Sixer

Glad you took your friend and it went ok. Good luck with the result

Despite all the argy bargy on here, I'm sure you were better posting than not: at least you had an idea of what to expect and what had triggered the interview.

wearside_2

Amanda_Adams wrote: »

Hi,

Didn't get chance to log in after the meeting yesterday, but thought I'd give an update!

I took with me a friend to the meeting with me, who was a known County Councillor, and I was glad I did. Just to have a strong person with me made all the difference.

I also had with me a copy of my employment contract stating that I was "Occasional sick/holiday relief", my bank statements showing payments in, and all my payslips.
They had already been in touch with my employers and had all the details of when and how much I was paid, so that I was glad I had been completely open and honest. My details matched theirs.
There was one officer present who had two tape machines, and my rights were read to me, so the interview was daunting. However I think I'd built myself up into such a state of panic that I was a bit of a quivering wreck.
I stuck to my guns throughout, and the officer wrote down much of what I was saying as he said some things needed further investigation to check that the correct procedure was being followed by the jobcentre.

The entire thing took about 45 minutes.

He did say that I may need to go in again, and a decision wouldn't be made immediately, it could be weeks or months. My Jobseekers Allowance has been reinstated, and I need to take in my payslip each week and fill in a form to say how many hours I have worked that week. This is starting from next week.

I feel very relieved that this part of things is over with.

I would like to say a huge thank you for everyone who gave their support, and I shall keep you posted.

A

From what you have said you have not been charged with any offence. The overpayment will be calculated and when the amount is known a decision will be taken to either "put offences to you" and proceed to court or to administer a caution. Hopefully this will not take too long as it must be very worrying for you wondering what will happen next.

At least it is safe to assume that this will never happen again. Thanks for letting us know.

kelloggs36

DX2 wrote: »

I thought the earnings was £5 for a single person, £10 for a couple and £20 for a lone parent?

I meant for the fortnight she was signing for.

scooby088

Glad that it went ok for you amanda, in my experience you will get the over payment notice first followed by either a letter calling you back for interview. In my case it took 3 months to finally get the letter saying the investigation has been closed.

Amanda_Adams

scooby088 wrote: »

Glad that it went ok for you amanda, in my experience you will get the over payment notice first followed by either a letter calling you back for interview. In my case it took 3 months to finally get the letter saying the investigation has been closed.

Just received a letter stating overpayment of £532.00. I have agreed to pay this back at £20.00 a month.
No fine and no court case. The relief is enormous.

I have also noticed that in the jobcentre they have stopped saying "have your circumstances changed in the last two weeks?" to "Have you done any paid work in the last two weeks?" which is interesting!

Many thanks to everyone for their help, I'm just glad the whole thing is over.

All the best
Amanda

happy_lass

Amanda_Adams wrote: »

Just received a letter stating overpayment of £532.00. I have agreed to pay this back at £20.00 a month.
No fine and no court case. The relief is enormous.

I have also noticed that in the jobcentre they have stopped saying "have your circumstances changed in the last two weeks?" to "Have you done any paid work in the last two weeks?" which is interesting!

Many thanks to everyone for their help, I'm just glad the whole thing is over.

All the best
Amanda

i have followed this thread with interest. I dont normally follow benefit threads cos sometimes they get a bit heated and i think that it can be nasty at times, although if something really riles me then sometimes i might reply ! lol......i am glad it is all over for you. You seem a genuinely nice person and we all make mistakes and learn from them. take care x:)

seven-day-weekend

cassieB57 wrote: »

I've double checked; what you sign is "since I last made a claim or signed a declaration....I have done no work, paid or unpaid, unless I have told you about it"...that means each and every time you sign the declaration you have to declare any work done since the last time you signed. There is no room for misunderstanding. (Just so you are aware of what you actually did sign, OP, so you are prepared)

The OP thought she HAD told them about it. She didn't realise she had to tell them EVERY time she worked.

Glad it worked out OK for the OP.

This thread actually illustrates well a) how easily misunderstandings can arise and b) how important it is to be completely honest when they do.