Home Visit Customer Compliance Officer - JSA Claim

anna2000

Hi

I’ve been out of work and claiming JSA on and off for the past 4 years.

I lost my job in 2009 and claimed just JSA for 6 months, then tried to set up a mobile hair dressing business and set up self employed claiming tax credits (failed miserably), then I moved in with my step sister for 18 months (claiming nothing), then was totally fed up so I moved to a different area and set up self employed again and had another go at the hairdressing briefly for 4 months (not claiming anything), then claimed JSA and housing benefit for 10 months.

It was at this point (2 years ago now) that I got a letter from a Customer Compliance Officer asking me to go in for an interview and was told it was 'a full review.' When I went in she asked me for statements from 3 bank accounts that were closed years before, and I told her as such. I closed my claim as only a week before my ex partner had given me some money to 'get off benefits and use it wisely to sort your life out', compliance wasn’t aware of this (so my interview wasn't about that), and I closed my claim and asked 'is that it then?' and was told 'yes, unless you make a claim in future.'

Since then I’ve been drinking a lot and basically wasting so much time idling my life away. (In hindsight the money my ex gave me was a hindrance not a blessing), I haven’t claimed any benefits since then or worked, as I’ve just been living off the money my ex gave me.

However, I’m now realising that I am a 33 year old ex alcoholic with no man, no children, no house (I rent) and no job and what a complete mess my life is. I've stopped drinking and I’m determined this year to put things right - starting with getting a job, and for the first time in ages I’m frantically filling in application forms, firing off emails and thinking long and hard about a career.

I need the support of the Jobcentre for CV advice, interviews etc. as its been so long, and as I’ve been unemployed so long I’d love to get onto their Work Programme (which I am eligible for), and take advantage of everything they’ve got to help me get a job and get some dignity back. I phoned all my local Work Programmes who told me I have to be claiming JSA and I need a referral from the Jobcentre to go, so with that in mind I made a claim for JSA.

I've since had a letter from the DWP saying I am not entitled to JSA (I haven’t had any money or anything yet), and when I phoned them to find out why I'm not entitled I was told my claim has been suspended until they have further information and I am due a HOME Visit from a Customer Compliance Officer. The woman wouldn't tell me anymore than that, other than to 'wait for the letter with the date of the visit.'

I’m so worried now. I feel like I’ve wasted so many years and I want to put things right. And since I’ve made this claim I have tons of evidence of my job searches I can show them - its all I do till 1-2 am every day. Basically I don’t want to be a loser anymore!

Do you think this Home Visit will be something to do with the Customer Compliance before? And if so, why was it just left before and now they’re looking into it again? Surely if I’d had done something wrong before they would have chased it up regardless of me closing my claim or not?

And why have I been selected for a Home Visit? And not called into the office? Are Home Visits more serious?

And what if they decide I’m guilty of something? Would they just cancel my claim or could I get charged with benefit fraud? I’ve never worked on the side or anything, I’ve hurt myself more than anyone else these past lost years.

I feel like just cancelling my claim as I hate the thought of having someone round my house and its really going to stress me and for what, £60 a week is it? (I don't even know the amount you get), I really am most definitly not bothered about the money, the main thing is I just want to get on the Work Programme and take advantage of everything the Jobcentre has to offer to help me get a job ASAP. Also, I’ve got nothing to hide and I want to clear my name because they clearly must think they have something on me.

Has anyone else had one of these Home Visits? If so what was it about and what was the outcome?

I’m know I shouldn't be but I can't help being very worried!

Many thanks, anna

patman99

DON'T cancel your claim. Let the home visit happen & see how it pans-out. She may just want to know how you have survived for nearly 2 years without claiming.
Also, they might be aware that you have been s/e as a hair dresser, so want to check this is no longer happening.

I'm not sure, But I have a feeling that you won't be entitled to anything anyway as you do not have 2 years worth of continuous NI contributions. If you have enough money, you can phone-up HMRC & arrange to pay 2 years worth in one hit. This should 'settle the books' so to speak.

anna2000

Robbie64 wrote: »

1% of all claims are pulled out for home visits.

Thank you for your help Robbie, but that has got me even more worried...just 1%?! It seems far more serious than an office interview, coming out to your home.

rogerblack

anna2000 wrote: »

Thank you for your help Robbie, but that has got me even more worried...just 1%?! It seems far more serious than an office interview, coming out to your home.

Certain claimants are selected at random.
However.
What amount of money were you given?
When was this?
How much do you have left?

As others have said - you sound like you were not working in tax years 2010-2012, so you will not be entitled to contributions JSA.
You may be entitled to income-related JSA - but if you have savings of over 16K, you will not be entitled.
If you have recently spent a large amount of money frivolously - questions will be raised about if you spent it solely to become entitled to benefits.
Expect to be asked about how you're supporting yourself.
Clearly, hairdressing can be easily done under the table, without involving the taxman, and other authorities, as you should.
Questions may arise about if you are in fact doing this, and plan to carry on doing so through your JSA claim, without telling them.

Real50crashclub

patman99 wrote: »

DON'T cancel your claim. Let the home visit happen & see how it pans-out. She may just want to know how you have survived for nearly 2 years without claiming.
Also, they might be aware that you have been s/e as a hair dresser, so want to check this is no longer happening.

I'm not sure, But I have a feeling that you won't be entitled to anything anyway as you do not have 2 years worth of continuous NI contributions. If you have enough money, you can phone-up HMRC & arrange to pay 2 years worth in one hit. This should 'settle the books' so to speak.

As long as less than £6K savings she will get income based benefits no matter about no NI contributions.

patman99

Anna, you could use this to your advantage. Create a list of questions you want to ask the CCO about how the DWP can help you.
You seem to have a skill in hairdressing, but not the commitment to push-through with carrying-out the role as S/E. If this is something you would like to pursue as a career, then the CCO may be able to ascertain whether you would benefit from a course or having a business mentor assigned to help you gain confidence in the world of business.

As for the Work Program, there are a lot of people who wish they have never heard of it. A lot of companies use it to provide free labour to replace their permanent staff. This is something I would go out of my way to avoid by withdrawing my consent for my details to be passed-on.

anna2000

patman99 wrote: »

Anna, you could use this to your advantage. Create a list of questions you want to ask the CCO about how the DWP can help you.

As for the Work Program, there are a lot of people who wish they have never heard of it. A lot of companies use it to provide free labour to replace their permanent staff. This is something I would go out of my way to avoid by withdrawing my consent for my details to be passed-on.

Thank you patman99, I've only applied for JSA to get help finding a job off them - so I'll do that and ask for all the help I can get, and if they can't help me as much as I'd like I'll sign off, as it isn't about the money and I don't need the hassle otherwise.

Oh no I had no idea about the Work Program in that respect! I'd only looked up my local ones and read their websites, and it looked like they really do actually help you to find a job (but of course this is their websites I looked at). Using someone whose desparate for a job as free labour is disgusting. Thank you for the heads up, I'll think twice now as I'm going to the Job Centre first thing tomorrow and I was going to ask to be put on a Work Program.

Has anyone else had experience of Work Programs? (And Customer Compliance interviews of course!)