another quick question, sorry...

raven83

Got a letter today to say that they are reviewing some poeples benefits and to fill out the forms (similar to when you first apply) and send it back in just over a week. Is this normal, or should i be worried? Cirucumstances havent changed and nothing dodgy going on, but letters like that have a way of rattling you at the best of times.

MrsManda

I think councils, the DWP and the HMRC all do random spot checks for compliance reasons so I would try not to worry about it. Just fill out the forms honestly and send them back.

raven83

MrsManda wrote: »

I think councils, the DWP and the HMRC all do random spot checks for compliance reasons so I would try not to worry about it. Just fill out the forms honestly and send them back.

That's what i thought, but still does make you feel a bit anxious. There wasnt anything in the letter to suggest anything unlying and nothing was specifically highlighted like i have read on other post, just basically to fill it in to check that they are paying us the right amount.

raven83

Has anyone else had one of these letters?

Anubis_2

Which benefit?

Tally-Ho_2

The following from Disability Alliance explains about he Right Payment Programme with regards to DLA (however other benefits are subject to similar checks).


The Right Payment Programme:

Who can be re-assessed:

Even if you have an indefinite award for Disability Living Allowance, you can still be re-assessed as part of the Right Payment Programme.

Under the Right Payment Programme, any Disability Living Allowance award may be reviewed to make sure the person is receiving the right amount of benefit. Your current benefit award will only be changed if the review highlights a change in your current entitlement. If this happens, your award will be adjusted accordingly - this could be up or down. If there are no material changes, your award will remain the same as before.

The RPP takes a sample of 12,000 DLA cases each year (there are 2.5 million people on DLA). Of these, 3750 are chosen at random and the remaining 8250 cases are chosen from those awards, which Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) research has shown, are most likely to change. You may also be re-assessed if your DLA has been paid under the Special Rules (for terminal illness cases) for over three years, in which case you will be sent an enquiry form asking for up-to-date information on your condition.

Certain cases are exempt from the RPP. This is chiefly where an award has been made/reviewed within the previous 12 months, also where although a benefit is claimed no actual benefit is in payment.

What happens :

You will be sent a form to complete and return, this is broadly similar to the current DLA claim form. You will normally have three weeks to return the form although you can request an extension. You may be asked to supply additional information. A Decision Maker will notify you of the result.
source: www.disabilityalliance.org/f8.htm

Tally

raven83

Anubis wrote: »

Which benefit?

Jobseekers. IB.

LadyMorticia

I get one for my IS randomly. It's just a spot-check. Nothing sinister.

raven83

LadyMorticia wrote: »

I get one for my IS randomly. It's just a spot-check. Nothing sinister.

Is it from the Benefit Intergrity Centre? Just makes you feel a lil paranoid and you start questioning yourself. In all fairness i am not surprised they don't check more often, it's just when you go on sites like this and they mention fraud etc it starts to worry you.

LadyMorticia

raven83 wrote: »

Is it from the Benefit Intergrity Centre? Just makes you feel a lil paranoid and you start questioning yourself. In all fairness i am not surprised they don't check more often, it's just when you go on sites like this and they mention fraud etc it starts to worry you.

It is but I think they're new centres set up to just deal with these reviews.

If it was fraud-related, I think it would be from the compliance team.

raven83

LadyMorticia wrote: »

It is but I think they're new centres set up to just deal with these reviews.

If it was fraud-related, I think it would be from the compliance team.

Yeah thats what i was thinking, it just all these scare stories on here about people getting these forms and saying it is something to do with fraud.