Benefit fraud summons - help needed

peter1509

In August 2012 I was on JSA when I received a loan over limit, that is required to inform social security. I signed off over 3 weeks later and thought nothing more about it.
A few months later I got called in for an interview, the amount of over payment was £213. I was told they may accept repayment as the only action, as it was well below the normal threshold. I then got a letter in April 2013, saying they confirmed I had been overpaid. (basically thats all it said) I have since repaid the full amount. I now today received a summons for next month march 2014 for this amount!!!!
Are there time limits ,and I have read the guidelines re amount required before they normally take court action, saying its needs to usually over £2000 overpayment.
Is this normal. Are there time limits for taking cases?
Any advice apprec.

stevemLS

It depends what the charge is - if it is an offence under the Social Security Administration Act 1992, proceedings must be commenced within 3 months of the evidence coming to light or 12 months of the date of the offence - so a maximum of 12 months.

If it is a Fraud Act 2006 most are "either way", so there is no limit on the time to commence proceedings.

peter1509

its under sec 105a(1) of the social security act administration (northern Ireland ) act 1992,

bloolagoon

How could you get a loan with no income ?

stevemLS

s105A(3) says that an offence under that section is an either way offence (meaning it can be dealt with either in the magistrates court or the crown court) so there is no time limit. Sorry.