Housing benefit overpayment nearly 3k,my own stupid fault.What will happen?

jojoskia

Hi there
I know it sounds bit odd but only yesterday I realized that I was probably overpaid housing benefit by around 10 months. I went to turn2us website and used calculator to calculate my benefit entitlements and all answers where ok,apart hb,it says i only should receive around £7 a week . I changed house in February and started working in march,I remember posting them information about my new job,but do not have proof and actually never received any paperwork back, They started paying me £189 month and taking away £40 for previous overpayment (£880).I think I owe them around £2800(10x189+900) I cant believe how stupid I was not to realize this earlier,it seemed to be good to be truth . This is doing my head in,been crying all the time since yesterday,I cant care after my 2 month old baby properly,because on my mind I have only one thing- what will happen to me?will they prosecute me?I'm going to council tomorrow,with all the paperwork and try to assure them that I'll pay every penny back.

oh god,I feel so stupid,that I could let this happen and it possibly will ruin my future plans ( training to become a nurse),if I get criminal record or caution

any advise is welcome

p.s sorry for writing mistakes,english is not my primary language

Bollotom

Just go down to Housing and explain. You'll have to come to an agreement about how you are going to pay it back. Not browbeating you but ALWAYS make sure you get a receipt for paperwork submitted. I did it with my partners pension and they stamped it, then later said I hadn't submitted it so I showed them. Still had to pay the overpayment, not a lot, but worth it to see all the handwringing and red faces. And good luck. :-)

dseventy

As above really you are doing the right thing by going in and letting them know.

You have will have to deal with the overpayment as did with the last one. If you are struggling to care for your 2 month baby you need support, family? friends? Social services?

D70

jojoskia

thanks for reply guys,I'm really worried about this.

I realized it yesterday,so whole day it was the only thing o my mind,what will happen :mad:I haven't told my husband yet,he'll be mad about this
I'm fine looking after my kids,only yesterday and today instead of playing with them,I'm browsing n trying to find out what will happen to me ,its really freaking me out _pale_

I'm over sensitive person...

HappyMJ

If you tell them before they find out then it's unlikely you will get a criminal record for fraud...so you can worry a bit less.

pmlindyloo

jojoskia wrote: »

Hi there
I know it sounds bit odd but only yesterday I realized that I was probably overpaid housing benefit by around 10 months. I went to turn2us website and used calculator to calculate my benefit entitlements and all answers where ok,apart hb,it says i only should receive around £7 a week . I changed house in February and started working in march,I remember posting them information about my new job,but do not have proof and actually never received any paperwork back, They started paying me £189 month and taking away £40 for previous overpayment (£880).I think I owe them around £2800(10x189+900) I cant believe how stupid I was not to realize this earlier,it seemed to be good to be truth . This is doing my head in,been crying all the time since yesterday,I cant care after my 2 month old baby properly,because on my mind I have only one thing- what will happen to me?will they prosecute me?I'm going to council tomorrow,with all the paperwork and try to assure them that I'll pay every penny back.

oh god,I feel so stupid,that I could let this happen and it possibly will ruin my future plans ( training to become a nurse),if I get criminal record or caution

any advise is welcome

p.s sorry for writing mistakes,english is not my primary language

Now stop worrying. You are not going to get a criminal record or a caution. At the worst you will have to pay it back at a rate that you can afford. As regards your husband, he should be taking some control of your finances especially since you have recently had a baby and are probably stressed out.

Now, talking about the baby. You say he/she is 2 months old but you started working in March? When did you give up working and what income did you receive when you gave up? Did you inform your local authority when you stopped work?

It might be not as bad as you think money wise.

Just take all your details/paperwork down to the council and sort it out.

rogerblack

jojoskia wrote: »

I remember posting them information about my new job,but do not have proof and actually never received any paperwork back

Do you have any evidence you did this - even for example someone who saw you writing, or posting the letter?

However, for this to be not reclaimable, you would both need to prove it was sent, and that you did not realise your income would affect your award.
This seems on its face unlikely.

The threshold for prosecution is 2K.
However, this is just if it seems reasonable to do so.
You need to report this ASAP - to reduce the likelyhood it will be seen as you intentionally defrauding the council.

jojoskia

I was working part time 10-15 hours,I don't get smp,but get ma,not full rate thought it will finish in end of may,and i will be entitled to hb again,according to calculation on website
I sent off notification of starting in the end of april about new job,I dont think they ever received it:/
I gave up working in semtember,and ohh !!!! I haven't sent any paperwork to them yet....i guess i'm in more trouble now...
I know its not excuse but I;m actually so busy with my day to day stuff and I do forget to do loads of things I'm supposed to do
anyways,after dropping my older son of to school tomorrow I'm heading to council with all paperwork
no i don't have evidence of posting letter,it was one of those prepaid council envelopes

miduck

Sorry to say, but prosecution is a possibility with such a large overpayment. Also relevant is that you have a previous overpayment - what was the reason for this?

Here is the DWP guidance on sanctions, local authority policies tend to mirror this. They may take no action at all, simply allow you to make a repayment plan, but best to be aware of all the possible outcomes.

jojoskia

Human error causes by me:( did not sent right payslips before

its not like that i wont admit my fault,i will and i m going there tommorrow

Thanks you miduck, i'm aware of all outcomes

miduck

jojoskia wrote: »

Human error causes by me:( did not sent right payslips before

This would make some kind of sanction more likely - it is difficult to overlook two such errors.

You are doing the right thing now - give them the information, and they will be in touch in due course. They may invite you in for an interview under caution, in which case you just need to be absolutely honest with them.