JSA- Customer Compliance Visit

[Deleted User]

Hi.

I am currently claiming for JSA, and this morning have received a 'Notification of a visit' letter from the JCP.

It says:

'We need to see you in order to discuss the benefit we are currently paying you because a query has arisen on your claim. We need to ensure your payments are correct and it is important that you are available so we can discuss the matter further.'

It also says a Customer Compliance Officer will be visiting me this Friday.

It has got me quite worried, as after a bit of googling, it seems the customer compliance dept, is basically the 'fraud unit'.

I am single and my living circumstances haven't changed (i haven't moved home; nobody has moved in; i have no kids).

Has anybody had one of these 'visits' before, if so what were they like? And what are the type of 'queries' could they have?

The only things i could think of, was a job interview that i turned down about a month ago, as i had another interview on the same day (for a better job). And I also worked a couple of days (unpaid) at my fathers business about 5 weeks ago, when one of the staff was off ill.

I don't think anyone would have reported me, and i don't have any problems with anyone. Plus, it was unpaid, so i didn't need to inform them anyway, right?

Thanks for any help.

Lady_gaga

You still need to inform them of unpaid work as they ask have you done any work paid or unpaid since you last signed when you go in to sign on.
I'd doubt it was that though if it was just a couple of days, but you really should have told them so you were in the clear.

[Deleted User]

Thanks.

I've done some more googling to see if anybody has had these 'visits' before, and most of them say it was because someone had reported them and accused them of benefit fraud. (although a few say its just a random check up)

This has got me really worried. I can't think of anyone who would make an accusation about me.

The only other reason i could find for the visit, is if there has been a change of circumstances which have not been reported, such as if someone has moved in, etc. However this doesn't apply to me.

Doe anybody know, what are the other possible reasons for a 'visit'?

dseventy

[Deleted User] wrote:

Doe anybody know, what are the other possible reasons for a 'visit'?

Usual suspects:

1) Do you have a partner? If so does he/she stay over? Seen together? Spend time together?

2) Working (unpaid or paid). When you sign on you agree to tell them the work you are doing even if its unpaid.

3) Working and not declaring it "cash in hand etc".

4) Linked to 2) maybe not a partner, but anyone else that stays over?

Failing that it could be a routine visit, only you know if you have done something you should not have done.

D70

[Deleted User]

Thanks D70

Like i mentioned, the only things i could think of are, when i declined a job interview (from a vacancy shown to me during signing on), due to having another interview on the same day.

And not declaring unpaid work. Although i don't know why someone would report me, as I was just giving my dad a hand, when he was understaffed on a couple of days.

And no, i don't have anyone staying over, i still live with both my parents

vax2002

If you were working unpaid, you were not available and looking for work on those days, so you will loose benefit.
Also you say understaffed ? so if you were working at a place that normally pays staff to do what you do, then he should have paid you minimum wage for that time and declared your employment.

HappyMJ

vax2002 wrote: »

If you were working unpaid, you were not available and looking for work on those days, so you will loose benefit.

Also you say understaffed ? so if you were working at a place that normally pays staff to do what you do, then he should have paid you minimum wage for that time and declared your employment.

That's not true... I was working whilst claiming JSA and there is no rule that states if you are working you will lose benefit. I would have lost a bit if I was paid but as the profit was zero then I lost nothing.

The owner does not have to pay minimum wages to volunteers.

vax2002

I think you may find when you have neglected to tell them you were unavailable for work due to working elshwere/ paid or unpaid it puts you in a slightly difficult position than if you have told them.
Claiming JSA is reliant on you been available and actively seeking work.
Benefits payments are under the microscope and they are clamping down on the rules.
This however may not be what they are getting at, but my gut feeling is the compliance officer (new name for fraud officer) probably has a bit too much on a plate to chase pigeons and only responds to information.
I would put my ten pence bet on someone who works where you did this "free work" getting the huff.

[Deleted User]

vax2002 wrote: »

If you were working unpaid, you were not available and looking for work on those days, so you will loose benefit.
Also you say understaffed ? so if you were working at a place that normally pays staff to do what you do, then he should have paid you minimum wage for that time and declared your employment.

One of the staff called in sick, so my dad just asked if i could give him a hand. He didn't pay me, and i never asked to be paid, i was just doing him a favor.

Funny thing is, i actually took my netbook with me and did apply for jobs whilst i was "working"

vax2002

They would be more interested in investigating if you were "eligible" to be paid.
But they might not even be about that, but just be prepared in case.

[Deleted User]

vax2002 wrote: »

I would put my ten pence bet on someone who works where you did this "free work" getting the huff.

I doubt it. Its a small family drycleaners so the majority of staff are close family members, with only two members of staff who are not, but have worked with company for about 20 years and are close friends of the family.

I just wish the DWP would tell me what the issue was, instead of leaving me worried for a week. (I feel like i've been called to the headteachers and don't know what for!)