Unannounced visit - Investigation Officer from Council

Vectis

woodbine wrote: »

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

Yes, I'm with you on this.

Out of the OP's dad, mum, grandma, sister, the OP, wife and 2 kids, only the OP can read or write?

Either very convenient as they couldn't read any letters, or a very illiterate family.

Father gone abroad for 5 months (???) for the death of a nephew and everyone forgot to tell the DWP, the Council or anyone else?

Something smells fishy! No wonder they're checking up.

Rahmandanel

Vectis wrote: »

Yes, I'm with you on this.

Out of the OP's dad, mum, grandma, sister, the OP, wife and 2 kids, only the OP can read or write?

Either very convenient as they couldn't read any letters, or a very illiterate family.

Father gone abroad for 5 months (???) for the death of a nephew and everyone forgot to tell the DWP, the Council or anyone else?

Something smells fishy! No wonder they're checking up.

I agree that my family are illiterate. That is a fact.

I don't know if you have ever experienced the death of a young person in your family but I guarantee you its heart breaking! I went through this and I was lost for weeks. I didn't know what to think or do. Never mind ring the DWP to let them knew. The DWP is the last thing on ones mind when their is a death.

Trust me there is nothing fishy... just I was shock at the unannounced visit.... like the police.

And I say it again... If my dad was overpaid he will return the overpayment because he shouldn't have received that money. We did dishonestly claim something.... we just forget to tell them know. People forget their children my dad just forget to tell the DWP. I'm relaxed now.

pinkladyof66

i am puzzled who made the unannounced visit on the title it says investigation officer yet now i read it is the police ! who has knocked the door surely the police are not interested in benefit fraud. I am finding it strange that going from the opening post to where poster says they have no idea as to why they should get a visit to now his father was abroad seems to me as if all the facts have not been laid here. ... no doubt there is more to this story...

Rahmandanel

ab.da54 wrote: »

If the family are from Pakistan and the marriage was arranged with the wife also originating from Pakistan, plus children are very young, then no, not fishy at all with regards reading.

Not Pakistan but India.

Dad, Mum, Grandma, Wife from India.

Children are 6 months and 3 years.

Sister is 16.

I'm 25 working and educated to degree level.

There is nothing fishy!

[Deleted User]

Rahmandanel wrote: »

I total understand what you are saying.

At the time when I posted I wasn't sure about the rules. Only when I was reading about the rules later (and when someone mentioned the 13 week rule) the whole think clicked with me. With everyone's input on here I come to the conclusion that my dad's stay abroad is the issue. I'm going to ring the council and ask them to visit ASAP so I can get this sorted. Honestly at first I was clueless about the rules.

i`m afraid that ignorance of the rules is no excuse
as for visiting sooner i doubt that will happen,they are busy people

Rahmandanel

woodbine wrote: »

i`m afraid that ignorance of the rules is no excuse
as for visiting sooner i doubt that will happen,they are busy people

And I agree with you 100%.

tomtom256

I always find it funny that people know what and how to claim, but never know the rules.

I also find it funny that no one can read or write and yet your father managed to claim the benefits and disappears for 5 months.

If that's not fishy I don't know what is.

Rahmandanel

pinkladyof66 wrote: »

i am puzzled who made the unannounced visit on the title it says investigation officer yet now i read it is the police ! who has knocked the door surely the police are not interested in benefit fraud. I am finding it strange that going from the opening post to where poster says they have no idea as to why they should get a visit to now his father was abroad seems to me as if all the facts have not been laid here. ... no doubt there is more to this story...

Oh please!

Let me dumb this down for you.

Original post - I wasn't aware of the 13 rule.

During this Thread - Somebody mentions 13 week rule.

BINGO!!! - They want to speak to my father about his 5 month visit.

I agree - Family are illiterate.

I agree - Ignorance is no excuse.

I agree - Government should not give tax money without doing checks.

I agree - More checks should be done.

This was a genuine mistake which we want to sort out.

If it means paying the overpayment then be it!

Nothing Fishy like suggested.

Let me give you an example...

Last year my neighbour's MOT ran out and he totally forget about it. He remembered 2 months later and renewed it.
Was he being fishy?

Rahmandanel

tomtom256 wrote: »

I always find it funny that people know what and how to claim, but never know the rules.

I also find it funny that no one can read or write and yet your father managed to claim the benefits and disappears for 5 months.

If that's not fishy I don't know what is.

I though me being ignorant of the rules was bad! You just gone one step ahead tomtom.

Couldn't someone like our local councillor have helped my dad apply for his benefits?

Let me assure you our councillor helped by dad with his benefits claim.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Rahmandanel wrote: »

I agree 100%.

I'm a tax payer and people getting my money without checks annoys me.

I agree there should be MORE checks.

But unannounced visit like the police.... it's a bit over the top. I'm a professional and write polite letters if I want to arrange a meeting and I think the council should do the same.

They can visit when they want - if you and your family have nothing to hide then you and your family have nothing to worry about.

Your over reaction makes me think there is more here than meets the eye. There is nothing over the top when your relative is receiving bucket loads of tax payers cash

Many fraudsters write nice 'polite' letters - they are still scum fraudsters.