Benefit investigation

Fran

T_I_S,

Yes, they often won't tell you about which worries you even more because you can't prepare for what you don't know about!

Zziggi

Fran wrote:

T_I_S,

Yes, they often won't tell you about which worries you even more because you can't prepare for what you don't know about!

perhaps they don't want you to prepare for it and that's why they won't tell you.

Also they must send these letter to loads of people who they *suspect* of fraud but they must know that in many cases they won't have evidence to take the matter further (other than if they get a full confession). SO by sending a letter out and letting you stew for a couple of weeks, they maybe hope they will frighten you so that you either come clean, or that you right the situation so you don't commit fraud in the future. However this doesn;t help the innocent people who get this letter and then worry like mad.

digp

cc74 wrote:

I received a letter this morning from Counter Fraud Investigation Services saying a matter has arisen relating to my entitlement, which they would like to discuss with me. They are visiting end of next week.

What does this mean? Is there a way I can find out what they will want. I am a nervous person at the best of times. I have 3 small children and it the household is very mad when people turn up...(kids clingy and crying).

I wandered if I'd have to find documentation (bank statements etc) or fill out forms. Has this happened to anyone?

I know I have nothing to worry about, but I don't like being looked at under a microscope, especially with the kids around.

you are entitled to some free legal assistance, contact a solicitor pronto. go to https://www.legal500.com and find your part of the world on the map, and find recommended criminal defence firms, and select 1. You are likely to be entitled to free assistance!

digp

just read that all worked out well. my advice though stands generally

Paul_Varjak

digp wrote:

you are entitled to some free legal assistance, contact a solicitor pronto. go to www.legal500.com and find your part of the world on the map, and find recommended criminal defence firms, and select 1. You are likely to be entitled to free assistance!

Good point about free legal assistance but when I was accused of fraud I found that the free legal advice was very limited if no formal interview takes place.

Even if there is a formal interview under caution, unless it is conducted at a Police station, again the free legal advice is limited. I tried to get my interview under caution at a Police Station (which was actually part of the same building as the local authority interview suite) but they would not budge. So I attended interview alone just in case I needed whatever limited free legal advice was available later on.

But that formal interview under caution turned out to be the end of the matter anyway!

liatoby

hi my friend is currantly receiving income support, and has been for around 2 years.
since claiming IS, they have had many letters from DWP deducting money each week from their benifit, as my friend allegedly has had about 8 social fund payments over the last 10 years.
my friend knows fall well they did not have these SFL, as to being else where at the time. (????)
They have written to the DWP many times but nothing has been done, and DWP are still deducting money each week from their benifits, in total £800.
i dont know how to advise my mate on where to go, or what to do???
any advise would be apprecaited!
THANKS

peter999

liatoby wrote: »

hi my friend is currantly receiving income support, and has been for around 2 years.
since claiming IS, they have had many letters from DWP deducting money each week from their benifit, as my friend allegedly has had about 8 social fund payments over the last 10 years.
my friend knows fall well they did not have these SFL, as to being else where at the time. (????)
They have written to the DWP many times but nothing has been done, and DWP are still deducting money each week from their benifits, in total £800.
i dont know how to advise my mate on where to go, or what to do???
any advise would be apprecaited!
THANKS

Original thread is 2 years old, maybe start a new thread.

peter999

Dr.Fox_2

Just wait and see.
Good Luck

tigtag02

Dr Fox ~ this thread is almost 3 years old

mojo4022

Fran wrote: »

You are only allowed £3,000 savings before it affects your Income Support claim. You can still be entitled up to a maximum of £8,000 savings but £1 will be taken off IS for every £250 over £3,000. If your rent is (say) £50 per week, x 52 is £2,600. When you apply for Income Support I think you normally get a Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit form to fill in at the same time.

Or is it mortgage interest payments that you have applied for, which you can while on IS?

Have they stopped or threatened to stop your IS?

You should get advice from CAB.

I seem to be in a similar situation - My mentally handicapped son receives Disablilty pension plus income support. I care for him at home 24/7. In 2004 I opened an Isa for him with £2000. I informed their office (albeit by telephone) but was told the limit was £3000. I saved a little bit more for him and when it went over the £300, again telephoned their office and was informed the limit had been raised to £12,000. A few weeks back I was called for an interview at the Jobcentre where I was advised they had been overpaying my son IS since his savings went over the £3000. My argument was that at no time did they inform me that the limits had gone up and what they were. The man who interviewed me said I should have checked the small print in the Budget!!!. He then (from under the table) produced a spreadsheet with all the limits on. When I asked why I wasn't given this before he shrugged his shoulders. Anyway have now received another assessment and they have reduced my sons IS by £25 per week and say they are going to recover the overpayment from my son, since 2004 which by my calculations amounts to something in the region of £3,500. Through lack of information from the pensions dept I think it is unfait to try to recover this sum from my son. Do I have a case for appeal - please any help or advice would be appreciated. - A very worried Mum