Compliance Visit from DWP

princessdon

Fluffybug wrote: »

Because whilst they have begrudgingly agreed to it (as there's no evidence as to why it's an issue if we do it as per their rules) they're not particularly joyous about it, and this may be their way of trying to push me towards their preferences.

Bingo - and the dwp won't want to pay benefits they don't have to, nor do you know what evidence the dwp have or from whom. Get a solicitors advice ASAP and before your IUC.

miduck

FBaby wrote: »

Ok, I think I get your point

Well if indeed he was paying maintenance and you have something in writing that states clearly that SS are imposing that you are not a couple but they support him coming over 4 times a week and having unsurpervised visits, then clearly you have nothing to worry about. I don't understand if that is the case though why you think they would be the one to have reported you?

I would not rely on a determination by SS as to what constitutes living together being the same as that used by the DWP. Even different benefit agencies (DWP, LA, HMRC etc) can make different decisions, so I doubt the opinion of SS would mean the OP has nothing to worry about.

Nutz666

Do social services know he's staying over? I would of thought it would only be supervised contact if they're that worried and on a child protection list and CPO!

LittleMax

Nutz666 wrote: »

Do social services know he's staying over? I would of thought it would only be supervised contact if they're that worried and on a child protection list and CPO!

This has been covered ... several people have queried this. You need to read all posts, it does seem a very unique situation.

Fluffybug

LittleMax wrote: »

This has been covered ... several people have queried this. You need to read all posts, it does seem a very unique situation.

The chair of the conference said he had not seen a case like ours in 15 years of chairing these meetings.
He said, however, that whilst entirely unconventional, it was functional and practical, which is why no arrangements have been changed.

Erinnire

I won't go into my personal details but it is a very confusing system when things aren't black and white so you have my sympathies.

Also I doubt it would of been SS that called in, infact it is more likely that your claim has flagged up on there system when your husband went onto Jobseekeres if he is using your address. All the databases are connected. Or if you have been apart about 6 months it could just be a review.

Fluffybug

midnight_express wrote: »

So you are in fact a married couple.

Are we married? Yes. Are we a couple? No. Stupid CS red tape has seen to that. Nothing about our behaviour suggests a married couple other than the fact we have a marriage certificate. We're not allowed to share a home, we share no bills, he's not on the electoral roll, he doesn't have keys, we don't share a bed, and he keeps nothing here other than what's in the loft as we can't gain access to that at the moment. He's on a housing list but there have been no houses he can bid on (not "he's being picky", there have been zero properties made available to his priority band, which is low), he has supporting letters from CS and his psych, but it's been no use. Homeless single men are low priority, especially when he has a sofa to kip on. Children's services do regular checks, and have also verified he has a temporary place to stay.
I would love to have my husband here. Money means nothing to me, as long as I can pay my bills and feed my kids, that's all I need. I would much rather have my husband home. As it is, until I am allowed to do that, I have to survive somehow. He has been living on the dole for the past few months, using over a quarter of his money just to travel to see the kids. We'd be financially better off if he moved in as he would have no travel costs, wouldn't need to give his friend money for staying there, we wouldn't have two lots of food to buy, he wouldn't have to pay to use a launderette, etc, so I have no reason to defraud the system.
And that's just the financial benefits. More importantly, I wouldn't spend my nights crying myself to sleep, I'd be less tired as I'd have support during nights when the boys won't sleep, I'd have someone there to talk to, I'd have someone there to fall asleep with, I'd have someone there to support me, and so would he. I suffer very badly with manic depression, and since he left I have been so stressed I have broken out in psoriasis, all over my head, face, arms, I look like a zombie and I often get ashamed when people stare at me.
I'm literally sick with stress most days, and sometimes feel like I just can't cope anymore.

But y'know, obviously none of that matters, because I'm just a scummy scrounger trying to defraud the system.

Mojisola

Fluffybug wrote: »

Are we married? Yes. Are we a couple? No. Stupid CS red tape has seen to that. Nothing about our behaviour suggests a married couple other than the fact we have a marriage certificate.

And for benefits, it's the "living together as man and wife" that counts, not a bit of paper.

It sounds as if you're in a very difficult situation. Are you getting help for the extra stresses this is putting on you? It won't help in the long run if your health gets worse.

Do you have a Home Start group in your area - https://www.home-start.org.uk/? If so, it would be worth contacting them.

princessdon

Your financial situation is a positive. The fact that youd be financially better off as a couple needs to be relayed to the compliance officer to show you don't gain financially.

Fluffybug

Mojisola wrote: »

And for benefits, it's the "living together as man and wife" that counts, not a bit of paper.

It sounds as if you're in a very difficult situation. Are you getting help for the extra stresses this is putting on you? It won't help in the long run if your health gets worse.

Do you have a Home Start group in your area - If so, it would be worth contacting them.

I am seeing a psychiatrist and popping lithium on CS's say so (it was prescribed by my Psych, and was optional, I was told to try it for 2-3 months and see how things went, but CS have made it part of my working agreement that I have to take them), but it's not helping. Honestly, I just want my life and my family back.
By the looks of it there are a few Home Start groups near me, I shall do more research and give them a call tomorrow. Thank you.