DWP visit

Legacy_user

Got a letter today saying someone is coming to my home next friday and it says the reason for the visit is "to discuss your claim for employment and support allowance".

Tried ringing them but no-one is picking up and i'm panicking because i hate having people i don't know in my flat and i can't think of any reason why my claim needs discussing.

Has anyone else been through this? what should i expect. really not well right now and this is pushing me over the edge

I_love_Harrison

Try to stay calm honey, easier said than done I know but it won't help getting yourself all worked up.

You know you have done nothing wrong so there is nothing to worry about.

It's probably something stupid or an error on their part which can be cleared up quickly as soon as you get to speak to them.

You know where I am if you need someone to rant to (hugs) xx.

Trazy

I have had a visit and all they did was go through my claim and ask a couple of questions.

Like you, I was panicking and my carer sat in on the meeting to keep me calm.

Please don't worry, it is just routine

snookey

Dont worry about it. If you can have someone with you on the day of the visit to give you support.

You have time to ring them before they come out and it could just be a matter of a signiture or more information that they need. Also remember that they do spot checks from time to time on everyone.

WhiteHorse

snookey wrote: »

Also remember that they do spot checks from time to time on everyone.

This may be the real reason - snooping.

tomjonesrules

WhiteHorse wrote: »

This may be the real reason - snooping.

Snooping - also known as ensuring the claimant is receiving their correct entitlement?

OP, the DWP are trying to be more proactive with mental health claimants who may struggle with getting their correct entitlement. snookey is right, they'll just go through some questions and make sure you're getting everything you are entitled to.

If you were in trouble, they'd be calling you into the office for an interview. However, if ever you do feel that the meeting is not helpful or that they are being intrusive, it might help to think through some phrases to help you if you want them to leave. Just a simple 'I would be grateful if you left now. If you do have any further questions if you could put them in writing and I will get back to you'. I always feel a bit stronger if I've got a back up plan.

cit_k

Have you had any change of circumstances recently?

mealone

Do you live alone?

A friend had a check after a **** reported her and said she was living with a boyfriend, she is living with a man but hes a flatmate and not a boyfriend.

System

cit_k wrote: »

Have you had any change of circumstances recently?

Not that i can think of.

Though i came into some money. When i asked my parents for help with paying off my overdraft they told me i had inheritence from when my gradparents died, that got paid into my account in september. it was below £6000 so i didn't even think i had to declare it-could that be it? i honestly didnt know about it before when i got it (they kept it quiet as they didn't trust me not to spend it) i used it to pay off my overdraft and put what was left in an ISA

They also had a mix up i think in february where someone put down that i was in a relationship with my flatmate (which i'm not and never have been!) so maybe its that?

i'm wracking my brains trying to think of anything else. They're the only 2 things i can think of.

Oldernotwiser

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Not that i can think of.

Though i came into some money. When i asked my parents for help with paying off my overdraft they told me i had inheritence from when my gradparents died, that got paid into my account in september. it was below £6000 so i didn't even think i had to declare it-could that be it? i honestly didnt know about it before when i got it (they kept it quiet as they didn't trust me not to spend it) i used it to pay off my overdraft and put what was left in an ISA

They also had a mix up i think in february where someone put down that i was in a relationship with my flatmate (which i'm not and never have been!) so maybe its that?

i'm wracking my brains trying to think of anything else. They're the only 2 things i can think of.

Just to clarify, when did your grandparents leave you the money because your post makes it sound as if your parents were sitting on it for a bit? Was the money you received all you're due or are they still holding some back?

System

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Just to clarify, when did your grandparents leave you the money because your post makes it sound as if your parents were sitting on it for a bit? Was the money you received all you're due or are they still holding some back?

My nan died in 2007 so they've had it since then (shocked and a little peeved they didn't trust me with it if i'm honest-though they know with my bipolar i do tend to be reckless with money). Apparently they had it tied up in savings bonds. The money i recievied was all of it £5000, (£2000 which went to paying off my OD so i have £3000 left-which i keep meaning to put in an ISA but havent got round to it yet )