ESA C+IR nightmare..advice please

Poach

I have been on ESA since June 2009. I am separated from my husband, have been since 2008. I am on ESA due to mental health issues. Yesterday I had a welfare officer visit me to see what other benefits I might be entitled to. Then I discovered the bombshell. I thought I was only on contribution ESA but she told me I was on C+IR still don't understand this. Anyway seemingly I should have declared that my husband still pays money into joint account to cover all household bills. I just happened to still have the form that was completed after my telephone claim by DSS. It does say that I told them that I received 1200 a month from my ex. BUT this WO said I had declared it in the wrong place. It was printed in the section that said "Any other money received". Well the WO said I had to contact the DSS right away and explain that I did not declare this income!! If I didn't do this then she would have too. My CPN came round today, I hadn't slept and was very upset(not good for my health). So he phoned them today for me. I now have to send all the bank statements since 2009. Question how can I been on both Contributions and Income related ESA. Can I be done for fraud? Any advice appreciated, I can't stop crying.

mynameistallulah

You will be on CB ESA because you have paid sufficient NI Conts. You will then get an IB top up because your income falls below a certain level.

Do you have children? Child support is disregarded for benefit purposes.

Where is this WO from? I would be complaining to her manager that she sprung this on you and then left you to it, especially considering that you have mental health issues.

Poach

The WO is part of the Mental Health team. My CPN organised for her to visit, basically for me to get advise about benefits I would be entitled to if I left this house. He was not impressed and I think he might make a complaint. My husband owns the house, my name is not on mortgage or title deeds! Bad move on my part BUT we have agreed that since he caused my mental health issues I could stay here until my health improves and he would cover all the Household bills. I have no dependant children. This is really freaking me out!

eskimo26

Poach wrote: »

The WO is part of the Mental Health team. My CPN organised for her to visit, basically for me to get advise about benefits I would be entitled to if I left this house. He was not impressed and I think he might make a complaint. My husband owns the house, my name is not on mortgage or title deeds! Bad move on my part BUT we have agreed that since he caused my mental health issues I could stay here until my health improves and he would cover all the Household bills. I have no dependant children. This is really freaking me out!

Very very unlikely you will be 'done for fraud'. You did declare the money just in the wrong place. Most fraud stems from when people hide the money.

Don't let your mental health suffer because of this.