Housing/council tax informal interview letter

ebbiezak

Hi, fuming to say the least, after being fined for income support fraud this year and only just getting over the stress of that( they said I hadn't informed them I was working 10 hours a week, I did and this was discovered on a computer logging from a phone call I made, but they still fined me as the money went into my account! No one informed me of the correct amount I should of been getting!) anyway I have in the last month started claiming hb/ct benefit after struggling to pay the full amount on my wage ( I was too scared to claim before incase I filled something in wrong or received the wrong amount at my fault etc I didn't want to go through all that again) well I received a letter yesterday saying they have received information that my partner is living with me ( I don't have a partner) and I have to attend an interview on Thursday! I can't stop crying, being sick etc as I know what to expect and these people aren't nice!! My sons father comes round to put him to bed (not every night) he picks him up on weekends to spend time with his sisters, also if I go away for the weekend he stays here with my children and his other children from another previous relationship, so they can all spend time together. Who could of done this to me, I wish so much now that I hadn't started claiming and carried on living way below the breadline! You would think squatters lived in my house with the little we have. Could I invite them round to prove I live alone with my two children, or have they been watching the last two weeks my sons father coming and going and tying to put two and two together. Any advice would be great fully received x :mad:

LittleMax

I know it's difficult but try to be as calm as possible when you go to the interview. You will need to explain the truth of the situation to them. You have not said the circumstances of where your son's father is living, but if he rents or owns a property you/he will be able to show this with council tax etc. You need to remember that these people have a job to do and have to act on information that they receive. Try not to get angry with them, as this will not help. As happened with the accusation of income support fraud, if you are telling the truth they will eventually verify this, although I do appreciate it is frustrating having to prove your innocence.

Incidentally you have not been fined for income support fraud. You were paid too much money, and even though it was their mistake as they did not act on the change of circumstances, you cannot keep the extra money you received. They are recovering the overpayment not fining you.

pmlindyloo

LittleMax wrote: »

I know it's difficult but try to be as calm as possible when you go to the interview. You will need to explain the truth of the situation to them. You have not said the circumstances of where your son's father is living, but if he rents or owns a property you/he will be able to show this with council tax etc. You need to remember that these people have a job to do and have to act on information that they receive. Try not to get angry with them, as this will not help. As happened with the accusation of income support fraud, if you are telling the truth they will eventually verify this, although I do appreciate it is frustrating having to prove your innocence.

Incidentally you have not been fined for income support fraud. You were paid too much money, and even though it was their mistake as they did not act on the change of circumstances, you cannot keep the extra money you received. They are recovering the overpayment not fining you.

Absolutely agree with this.

They are investigating as they do with hundreds of people.

Gather together all the information that shows that you and your ex are not linked in any way other than as parents to your child.

Where does he live now? Rental agreement/letter from landlord stating when he moved in and length of the tenancy.

Separate bank accounts? Your bank account/PO account showing how you pay your bills etc

Uitlity bills in your name and uitlity bills in his name at his place Council Tax letter in your name. Council tax letter in his name.

Basically everything to show that you have separate lives.

ebbiezak

They offered me an administrative penalty which amounted to £90 not a lot I know, I would of appealed but just haven't got it in me! My ex did have his own rented property but due to money situations had to give it and now lives with his mum and step dad, nothing comes to my house ( why would it he doesn't live here) we get on really well, but that's as far as it goes, he helps me out with child care when I go on courses or start work earlier or finish late, he will collect or take to school whenever he can, what decent father who wants a good relationship with their children do so. I now feel he can't come round today or all this weekend to see him, which isn't great for my kids as I'm an absolute reck!!

ebbiezak

That penalty was for income support, it's taken almost a year to sort out! I thought I could start relaxing now, like a weight had been lifed and them whamm!! All my friends and family know we're not a couple and that we just get on, we're both decent people! I just can't believe someone has given information on me, when they clearly know nothing!

ebbiezak

Update, attended the interview, the man wasn't very nice to start, but once I answered his questioned, explained the situation, he changed into someone very understanding. He closed my case there and then.

Horseunderwater

Sorted then.