Unannounced visit - Investigation Officer from Council

shjo558

Most Councils carry out what is called an intervention, basically a review of the claim. They can be either via post, notified home visit or unnotified home visit.

It's nothing sinister and they will just be checking nothing has changed and at the same time check the household are claiming everything they are entitled to.

There's some info here although each council will have their own policies http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/resident/benefits/benefits-review.aspx

princessdon

jetplane wrote: »

They will need to establish the facts to determine whether he was entitled to any benefit while abroad. If they have not been notified then they do not know how long for and the reasons. For example if he was not entitled to DLA or AA for some of the time then his council tax would be affected.

If you haven't told them then they will have to visit him at home and they probably want to check that he has returned.

Dla is 26 weeks, a lot depends on how long he was away, who remained.

Sho - they have admitted the main benefit claimant with passported benefits to the rest of the family (move dependant deductions etc) was claiming whilst they shouldn't, it's best if they realise this may not be a routine check given the circumstances. Someone can easily report that dad doesn't live there and they will have evidence via passport etc.

Rahmandanel

woodbine wrote: »

why do i get this feeling that theres more to this than meets the eye?

Hi John,

I've gave you all the facts.

Dad claims benefits I.e DLA, Pension credit and pays no council tax.
Dad doesn't know much about the rule and to be honest I didn't until yesterday.
Dad a declare all people who live with him expect my 6 month old baby.
Dad's nephew passed way and dad went abroad for funeral.
He was ill while there.
Dad returned recently.
We got an unannounced visit from the council.

I can see two problem one I have told the council about my baby girls. Two my dad didn't notify the council he went abroad for longer then 13 weeks.

There's no other issue.

We will tell then the truth and see that they overpaid him and return that money.

princessdon

Rahmandanel wrote: »

Hi John,

I've gave you all the facts.

Dad claims benefits I.e DLA, Pension credit and pays no council tax.
Dad doesn't know much about the rule and to be honest I didn't until yesterday.
Dad a declare all people who live with him expect my 6 month old baby.
Dad's nephew passed way and dad went abroad for funeral.
He was ill while there.
Dad returned recently.
We got an unannounced visit from the council.

I can see two problem one I have told the council about my baby girls. Two my dad didn't notify the council he went abroad for longer then 13 weeks.

There's no other issue.

We will tell then the truth and see that they overpaid him and return that money.

Your extra child isn't an issue (unless it severely under occupies you, given living rooms can be used this is doubtful).

I'd guess your dads absence was reported and they want to see he still lives there.

In your OP you said you knew there was no reason for the visit, yet you now say, you know there is. Which is it? We can't advise without facts. There are ways around things, but half arsed guesses are not the way to go. You are anonymous, it's best to take factual advice without any true personal issues than drip feed,

Rahmandanel

princessdon wrote: »

Dla is 26 weeks, a lot depends on how long he was away, who remained.

Sho - they have admitted the main benefit claimant with passported benefits to the rest of the family (move dependant deductions etc) was claiming whilst they shouldn't, it's best if they realise this may not be a routine check given the circumstances. Someone can easily report that dad doesn't live there and they will have evidence via passport etc.

Honesty is the best policy. My plan is to ring them on Monday and ask if she can visit earlier. We are honestly people it was a genuine mistake. If it means returning any overpayment. That is good! We are more worried about courts and criminal records.

Thanks for everybody's input

princessdon

Rahmandanel wrote: »

Honesty is the best policy. My plan is to ring them on Monday and ask if she can visit earlier. We are honestly people it was a genuine mistake. If it means returning any overpayment. That is good! We are more worried about courts and criminal records.

Thanks for everybody's input

Depending on many factors there could be little overpayment - to deny is stupid in my opinion. I don't share others view that they do unannounced visits for no reason - they usually know in advance what they are looking for. You'd be foolish to assume they don't have intelligence.

tomtom256

I am a little confused as to why no one was in, out of all the people allegedly resident in the property when the initial visit took place.

I am also unsure why no one has telephoned the council once you saw the letter through the door.

If you had nothing to hide would you not have called straight away!

I have read over the thread but can not seem to find the dates your father was overseas. Do you have the exact dates or timescale? (may have missed it).

Has he got a sick note to advise of the illness and a recommendation not to fly during the illness? Without this you will be liable for any potential overpayment.

Does he also have proof of the death in the family? Again this will help with any overpayment.

Whiteknight

Rahmandanel wrote: »

...
I can see two problem one I have told the council about my baby girls. Two my dad didn't notify the council he went abroad for longer then 13 weeks.

There's no other issue.

We will tell then the truth and see that they overpaid him and return that money.

It is the Pension Service that need to be informed that he had left the country, and how long he has been away for.

wildwestfan

Is it possible then to pay no council tax if someone in the house claims DLA?

Saversue

I can't follow the exact circumstances as you seem to keep changing them.

Don't understand why the household doesn't pay any Council Tax - with you working, wouldn't that count as income or is your income so low that you are also claiming benefits ?
What does your Dad claim DLA for and how old is he? Has he ever worked ?
What is the total Family Income?
Where did he travel to and where did the money come from to pay for this visit?
As other OP says, with so many people, it seems strange one one was in the house.

You keep saying you are honest, but have failed to inform of your Dad's absence or your new child. As your family are claiming benefits and you are responsible for the mail, why haven't you found out about the rules?