Benefit Fraud interview with caution..help!

allen35

Amanda_Adams wrote: »

Hi, no I just told them what I was doing, and where. That's all they asked me.
A

It may be a good idea to be prepared for Monday by checking all bank statements and write down work carried out whilst claiming JSA so you can get a figure of overpayment.

On this yrars rates you are entitled to £65.45 per week with a disregard of £5, therefore anything above this in any given week would of been nil entitlement. If you had earned £20 in a given week you would of been entitled to £50.45.

I hope they use discretion in their decision and don't request all benefit repaid.

If unhappy with their decision you may be able to appeal.

Amanda_Adams

Hi,

I've just received in the post a "part-time work form" and a note asking me to complete it and take it with me to the meeting on Monday.

It is only asking for the period between 15/2 and 14/3.

Not sure if this is a good thing or bad, I'm going to be optimistic and say good.


A

CCFC_80

I would try and make sure that you have someone with you when you attend the interview preferably some sort of legal representative or someone from The C.A.B who would probably be able to attend without you paying any sort of fee.

You can always phone them up to arrange another date for that meeting. Also you could try and ask what grounds they have for calling you in for this meeting and state that you need this information to prepare and defend your case.

Remember of course your rights also and that you do not have to say anything as the onus is on them to prove that you have committed an offence.

melbi_uk

Amanda_Adams wrote: »

Hi,

I've just received in the post a "part-time work form" and a note asking me to complete it and take it with me to the meeting on Monday.

It is only asking for the period between 15/2 and 14/3.

Not sure if this is a good thing or bad, I'm going to be optimistic and say good.


A

As long as you didn't do any paid work during or on those dates, you should be home and dry.

I hope all this doesn't ruin your weekend.

dmg24

CCFC_80 wrote: »

I would try and make sure that you have someone with you when you attend the interview preferably some sort of legal representative or someone from The C.A.B who would probably be able to attend without you paying any sort of fee.

You can always phone them up to arrange another date for that meeting. Also you could try and ask what grounds they have for calling you in for this meeting and state that you need this information to prepare and defend your case.

Remember of course your rights also and that you do not have to say anything as the onus is on them to prove that you have committed an offence.

Why would she need representation if she intends to be honest?

melbi_uk wrote: »

As long as you didn't do any paid work during or on those dates, you should be home and dry.

I hope all this doesn't ruin your weekend.

The OP needs to admit to all the work she has done, not just for the last month.

melbi_uk

dmg24 wrote: »

Why would she need representation if she intends to be honest?



The OP needs to admit to all the work she has done, not just for the last month.

I was commenting on the form she received!

dmg24

melbi_uk wrote: »

I was commenting on the form she received!

The form indicates they may have only picked up on recent work. However, that does not stop her going in and telling them about the past work. Should she choose not to do so, she is lying by omission and as such would be committing fraud as she is showing intent.

CCFC_80

dmg24 wrote: »

Why would she need representation if she intends to be honest?
.

I think it is wise for someone else to be present and the interviewers would expect someone else present on her side especially as the interview will be under caution & recorded and she may need a copy of the tape. I would say it is better for someone to be there rather then not be there.

She also doesn't know for 100% why she is being asked to attend the interview and it could be for another reason which she is not guilty of.

dmg24

CCFC_80 wrote: »

I think it is wise for someone else to be present and the interviewers would expect someone else present on her side especially as the interview will be under caution & recorded and you may need a copy of the tape. I would say it is better for someone to be there rather then not be there.

She also doesn't know for 100% why she is being asked to attend the interview and it could be for another reason which she is not guilty of.

The interview is recorded to protect both sides. She will automatically be given a copy. If you have nothing to hide, you have no need for representation. The compliance officers have no interest in 'fitting up' innocent people.

melbi_uk

dmg24 wrote: »

The form indicates they may have only picked up on recent work. However, that does not stop her going in and telling them about the past work. Should she choose not to do so, she is lying by omission and as such would be committing fraud as she is showing intent.

How can she be lying if she answers all questions asked of her truthfully?

Now if they ask her if she has anything else to report, then that would be the time to tell them of any other work she has done!

It is entirely up to the OP if she chooses to tell them anything other than what they are asking.

As far as I am concerned the OP has not done anything she knew was fraudulent. When she told the JC they should have explained to her the process, it seems they did not! So she thought that has she had told them of the irregular part time work that everything was above board.

The OP did her part by telling them in the first place about the work she will be doing, at that point they should have explained the procedure for doing any paid work!