Benefit Fraud (Home Visit)

jada123

I'm currently on Income Support until I can get a nursery place for my son. A couple of months ago my IS was suspended for 3 months and they said it was someone living with me. I had to contact my local MP for help and he fixed it instantly. Then about a month ago, I had a home visit from the DWP and she mentioned something about someone living with me, but never went into it (which I thought weird as this was the whole reason). She updated my claim and was gone in 10 minutes.

I had an unannounced visit on monday, but I didn't hear the door so I was left a note saying he would be back today. He was very rude to me and made me feel uncomfortable. I told him my son's father stays maximum 2 days a week because I need help and he started going on about how that's fraud because we should have a joint claim (he's on a jobcentre self imployed business course after being made redundant a month ago) I tried to explain that my son's dad lives and claims from somewhere else, but the guy kept insisting that son's dad claim from my house and we share. I have honestly NEVER heard of this. I thought this was acceptable because I've seen a lot of people do it where the DWP are fully aware.

He mentioned something about when someone says something, he has to look into it. I have no idea who would have reported me because I don't have any trouble with anyone and no one really knows I'm on benefits. This would mean someone has reported me twice?
Now I have to go into the office so he can give us a shared claim, but once my son's dad goes back to work, I'm completely messed up as he's not going to pay for ME to live!

I've had so much trouble with IS and it's really stressing me out and I can't sleep at night.
What is going on? What should I say to him at this meeting?

Thank you.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

jada123 wrote: »

I tried to explain that my son's dad lives and claims from somewhere else, but the guy kept insisting that son's dad claim from my house and we share.

What address does he claim from? Is he liable for rent and council tax at that address or it it a friends or parents address?

Are you in a relationship with him and where does he sleep when he is at your address? On the sofa or with you?

What evidence have they presented to you that he is living at your address?

Does he havve anything registered at your address? Do you have joint bank accounts? Does he pay you maintenance?

spacey2012

As said, what evidence does he have of living elsewhere, is he registered for council tax and utilities elsewhere.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

jada123 wrote: »

Now I have to go into the office so he can give us a shared claim, but once my son's dad goes back to work, I'm completely messed up as he's not going to pay for ME to live!

He is responsible for your sprog so I would hope he would contribute something to its upkeep rather than let the taxpayer pick up the tab. I'm sure he wouldn't be that selfish in refusing to pay you a penny maintenance when he returns back to work. Otherwise get the CSA involved. After all maintenance is completely disregarded as income when claiming means trested benefits.

Dunroamin

jada123 wrote: »

I'm currently on Income Support until I can get a nursery place for my son. A couple of months ago my IS was suspended for 3 months and they said it was someone living with me. I had to contact my local MP for help and he fixed it instantly. Then about a month ago, I had a home visit from the DWP and she mentioned something about someone living with me, but never went into it (which I thought weird as this was the whole reason). She updated my claim and was gone in 10 minutes.

I had an unannounced visit on monday, but I didn't hear the door so I was left a note saying he would be back today. He was very rude to me and made me feel uncomfortable. I told him my son's father stays maximum 2 days a week because I need help and he started going on about how that's fraud because we should have a joint claim (he's on a jobcentre self imployed business course after being made redundant a month ago) I tried to explain that my son's dad lives and claims from somewhere else, but the guy kept insisting that son's dad claim from my house and we share. I have honestly NEVER heard of this. I thought this was acceptable because I've seen a lot of people do it where the DWP are fully aware.

He mentioned something about when someone says something, he has to look into it. I have no idea who would have reported me because I don't have any trouble with anyone and no one really knows I'm on benefits. This would mean someone has reported me twice?
Now I have to go into the office so he can give us a shared claim, but once my son's dad goes back to work, I'm completely messed up as he's not going to pay for ME to live!

I've had so much trouble with IS and it's really stressing me out and I can't sleep at night.
What is going on? What should I say to him at this meeting?

Thank you.

If you're not working and you're living alone, it's pretty likely you're living on benefits, isn't it?

Mojisola

spacey2012 wrote: »

As said, what evidence does he have of living elsewhere, is he registered for council tax and utilities elsewhere.

This is what you need to sort out.

If he is not living with you then you can't claim as a couple without lying on the form.

jada123

My son's dad lives with his cousin and her husband a long with 2 of her sons and her grandchild. He pays them rent, but gets his bank statments delivered to his mother's address, which is the only thing he really has sent out. They didn't give me anything with his name on that has been sent to my address, although my Sky TV (which is not in use) is in his name.
We are not together, but get on very well and he sleeps on my sofa. When he was working, he bought our son food and clothing, just like I do and of course he would help me out, but I would feel embarrassed to ask him for money if it was for me.

GwylimT

When I was a single parent I was regularly investigated by the benefits agency for apparently having someone living with me when I didn't, at one point they claimed the previous tenant was living with me, then a female nurse was apparently living with me, my sons health visitor!

jada123

GwylimT wrote: »

When I was a single parent I was regularly investigated by the benefits agency for apparently having someone living with me when I didn't, at one point they claimed the previous tenant was living with me, then a female nurse was apparently living with me, my sons health visitor!

They have also accused me of living with people I don't even know!

spacey2012

Does he have a car, or car insurance, where is this registered to, does he have anything registered or any dealings at your address and how far his his real bed from this sofa in miles.

jada123

spacey2012 wrote: »

Does he have a car, or car insurance, where is this registered to, does he have anything registered or any dealings at your address and how far his his real bed from this sofa in miles.

None of that. I'm basically f'ed because of he has nothing sent to that address. His house is about 45 mins away by train. He lives just outside London (which is the reason he sleeps over). I have nothing to hide, but I can tell they don't want to know.