Found work, but need some advice!

m.k_2

Hi there im a newbie and needed some advice.
I recently found some work, iv been claiming income support as a single parent i still hant told jobcentre im now in work cos of all the holidays and ihave read on the direct gov site that you would need to inform them within 21 days but does it mean 21 days in total or 21 working days?
Pleasedoadvice someone.
Thanks.

Vejovis

does it matter? the longer you leave it, the more overpayment you'll have to pay back. they've been open since 3rd Jan, so there's no reason why you couldn't have told them.

m.k_2

thanks for ur reply and yes they have been open since the 3rd of jan but iv been busy with a rather ill relative alongside work so have not had the chance. I am aware of repaying the overpayment but is that all they gonna ask of me i wont get done for fraud will i?

paddyrg

Phone them, tell them, thank them for their help and support when you needed it, and say because of your relative you found it tricky to get there in person, can they sign you off by post, or arrange a good time for you to come in to do the last formalities? Shows you're making the effort.

Also, IIRC, they pay at least in part in arrears anyway, so you may find it in your interest to get in there as opposed to keeping schtum.

redcard

m.k wrote: »

thanks for ur reply and yes they have been open since the 3rd of jan but iv been busy with a rather ill relative alongside work so have not had the chance. I am aware of repaying the overpayment but is that all they gonna ask of me i wont get done for fraud will i?

Rather lame excuse. What exactly do you have to do with an ill relative that takes up every spare second of your day? Such a martyr. Can't you just wake up 5 minutes earlier and use the phone?

DCFC79

m.k wrote: »

thanks for ur reply and yes they have been open since the 3rd of jan but iv been busy with a rather ill relative alongside work so have not had the chance. I am aware of repaying the overpayment but is that all they gonna ask of me i wont get done for fraud will i?

not the best excuse ive heard mind, call them up asap on monday,

ellieellieellie

They would have specified if it was 21 working days, they're usually pretty clear about that sort of thing.

Give them a call asap and explain the situation. I wouldn't expect them to prosecute you for fraud. You will have to repay any benefits you received and weren't entitled to, but you'll likely be able to set up a plan to do this over a period of time if you can't afford to do it all in one go.

Don't leave it any longer to call them, stick to whatever repayment plan you agree to and you should be fine.

looby75

if you have been on IS for more than 26 weeks you will get a 4 week run on of any housing benefit and council tax benefit so you won't have an overpayment there. IS is paid 2 weeks in arrears now so as long as you inform them right away you might not have much of an over payment there either. Just ring them up in the morning and explain that because of Christmas etc you haven't had chance before now. (oh and they didn't reopen until the 4th Jan )