Interview Under Caution for Benefit Fraud investigation

ampersand

Mumof1littlegirl wrote: »

I'm feeling physically sick with worry tonight. I've been trawling through the forums etc all evening and found an awful story of a poor woman with 2 kids who was in a very similar position to me, and the DWP didn't believe her, stopped all her money and have gone for prosecution. She's not been able to pay her rent and bills and is being evicted from her home. She's got bailiffs on the doorstep wanting money all the time and she's having to feed her children toast everyday. She's now on antidepressants and is having anxiety attacks. The DWP assumed she fraudently made a claim in the first place and are taking her to the cleaners. And she's now going to be homeless with her children.

What if that happens to me? Why should they believe me? They won't care if I say I'm telling the truth, all the evidence will prove otherwise because of my naievity.


I haven't eaten since yesterday and I'm very tearful. I keep ringing solicitors to see if I can get any help but they either don't bother ringing me back, or tell me they can't help unless I pay.

To top it off I have health visitors coming next week also in regards to my daughters health problems, and also her first physiotherapy appointment coming up, and I can't even focus on it all coz I'm so worried and upset.

I can't even find any solicitors that will give me just 20 minutes of advice over the phone. Ughhhhhh

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Now dear lady! - here comes Ancient Crone again to say Stop Now.

Go and make some cheese on toast or something else simple, good basic protein - poached egg would be good.

You must eat. have a milky supper drink too.

I'm only just in, was slightly late for Compline after a huge afternoon, but made it. In the quiet space of this ancient and beautiful village building, candle-lit only, catching the stained glass intermittently, throwing patches of colour and light, a good feeling comes. It is amazing and i am not a regular Churchgoer of any sort, but this monthly evening is a new thing with our excellent new lady Vicar.

In one period there is soft taiz! music, so people can speak of those things, situations, others, that need help, support, understanding, prayer.

In broad and anonymous terms I asked for all of those for a young mother who faces a frightening appointment on Monday. I added that her child was unwell and that she was torturing herself with worry.

Do not read anyone else's story on these forums for now. You are not in any position to judge their accuracy, nor to help.

Right now, you do the basic things of regular eating, sensible bedtime with a book/radio/drink in order to be in the best shape possible come Monday. You also give yourself a treat each day, be it a spray of perfume in a department store, a luxe-y bath, a special biccie, glass of wine...whatever is right or suddenly suits the day. Your daughter will be picking up on your fears and failure to eat. This, in turn, will negatively affect your mood and play to your fears.

You must do some of these tonight. Promise? You must also involve your M.P. Don't worry if you didn't vote for him or her. There are good Constituency Members of all stripes. He or she has a duty to listen to your case and help to the limit of their power and ability. Most people are surprised by what their M.P. can do in local situations.

This will help you, if you don't know:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/

I'm going to make some supper now - I'm hungry. And look, I'm putting out two plates . . .

Take heart, please. There is great strength in simplicity and the simple Truth is yours. There is no need to think anything other than this.

Bless you.

.

mazza111

Very wise words from Ampersand.

Ktate - If they are to be believed, done wrong and got punished. You have done nothing wrong.

When my sister was invited to an IUC, regarding a malicious neighbour. She answered honestly and accurately. There is to be no more coming from it. And they've also logged it as a malicious caller. So I guess they will have some way of checking if they call again or not.

Please please please, for the sake of your sanity and your child, calm yourself down and go and tell the truth. Hold your head high, you've got nothing to hide.

ktate

yes i did wrong but i really feel for this woman and like i said please go and get a solicitor if you can find one that dose legal aid it dosent matter what happened to me i just wish someone had told me to seek good advice i dont know wear about you are or id give you the name of the solicitors whos handling my case now who are far better than the first ones i used but good luck and like a few sensable ones say on hear try not to worry which is easier said than done i know iv been there

Housing_Benefit_Officer

ktate wrote: »

im sorry you think that way i said it started off at £4000 then thay backdated it it was incapacity benifit i worked for five hours a week but didnt ring the dwp has i wasnt been paid cash i was on there books the rest is very very true has for legal aid you might struggle with the new rules i was in the magistrates court in birmingham last week to answer to the confiscation order not nice but very true it wasnt about what i did or how much it was about the system and what happens iv no reason to lie and please no more bashing

How does one go to prison for working just 5 hours on Incapacity Benefit especially when you are allowed to do permitted work and they would disregard £99.50 of your earnings?

I have never heard of anyone going to prison for just £4k benefit fraud on their first offence.

MacMickster

Mumof1littlegirl wrote: »

I'm feeling physically sick with worry tonight. I've been trawling through the forums etc all evening and found an awful story of a poor woman with 2 kids who was in a very similar position to me, and the DWP didn't believe her, stopped all her money and have gone for prosecution.

Other stories on here are of little use to you. Not all posters give the full facts. There is a tendency for some to give only the facts which show them in the best light and so elicit a positive response.

I, and others on here, get the impression that you are genuine which is why you are receiving the support that you are. Few posters have any sympathy for those who play the system.

The DWP don't take people to court for benefit fraud unless they believe that they have sufficient EVIDENCE (not suspicions, allegations or insinuations) to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that fraud (a deliberate act) has been committed. Even then, it is up to a jury to decide whether someone is guilty - not the DWP investigators themselves. If they already had such evidence then you would already have been charged with benefit fraud.

They are, at this stage, merely doing their job by investigating and gathering then evaluating evidence. If an allegation of wrongdoing is made then they must try to establish whether it is correct. They easiest way to do this is by talking to you, but if the allegation is of criminal conduct then they have to caution you so that you are aware of your rights. Don't be intimidated by this. If you have not done anything wrong, then they can't produce evidence that you have. Go along to the interview with a supportive friend and merely answer the questions that they ask.

It is easy to say "don't worry" but you clearly are worrying and will obviously continue to do so, so I'll just wish you and your daughter good luck.

bloolagoon

Do you use social networking sites? Would this help back up your proof?

laineybird2000

Good luck for today, big deep breath, be brave. You'll be fine. Let us know how it went later.

X

MacMickster

bloolagoon wrote: »

Do you use social networking sites? Would this help back up your proof?

Very good idea.

So many people nowadays effectively keep a very public diary of their private lives. Rows, break ups, dates with new people, new living arrangements etc.

If the OP has access to her ex's social media or his new partner's this may also provide some supportive contemporaneous evidence.

Of course, for some people, social media can be their undoing too.

JulieElizabeth

Ampersand, your wise and comforting words have literally brought tears to my eyes

:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A

Mojisola

Mumof1littlegirl wrote: »

It wouldn't help me. I'm a very private person and don't write anything personal about my life in statuses or anything like that. All I do is post pictures of my daughter for friends and family.

Does he or his GF? If they have pictures of themselves doing couples' stuff or comments about doing stuff together, it will help show that he's not part of your life except as the father of your child.