DESPERATELY WORRIED PLEASE HELP(living with partner benefits)

Poppie68

No one on here can tell you what's going to happen...
They may delve back 9 years and they may not..they tend to want proof and not just take the word of the person being investigated..
It has been known for them to ask others questions and look into if maybe you have holidayed together in the past(for example)..
The likelihood of prosecution depends on what is uncovered in their investigation..
Coming clean if there is any truth in their suspicions is always the best course of action.

worrywortcrystal

I was hoping somebody may know the system either by working at the dwp or know someone who does, or maybe even have been in a similar situation themselves. I am not asking for a prediction just some guidance, before i start hyperventilating over here lol

seven-day-weekend

blondebubbles wrote: »

I never mentioned tax credits.

I am referring to couples who do live together but for whatever reason may sleep in separate rooms eg due to medical reasons.

Gibson1 suggested that if you don't sleep in the same room then you are single which I do not believe is correct.

My husband and I have been married for over forty years and now sleep in separate rooms due to my very disturbed sleep pattern. I don't think for a minute we would be classified as single if we had to claim any Benefits.

But I do take the point. At what point do Friends with Benefits become Partners and LTAHAW? Who decides and how?

I remember when my son was unemployed and claiming JSA he was asked if he was in a relationship with his (male) lodger, who was also his friend. They shared the same house, and went shopping together (mainly because neither of them drove and it was helpful to both of them to share a taxi). They also socialised together because they had the same hobby, in fact that is how they met.

Luckily they believed him when he said he was not in a relationship and that his friend was a lodger (I, as their landlord, also wrote a letter to that effect)...but how would he have proven it?

Minefield.

tomtom256

worrywortcrystal wrote: »

Can anyone help with the answer to my questions? Please? I am really worried out of my mind and could use the advice.

1. How can I prove we have not been in a relationship for the whole 9 years we have lived under the same roof? Will they just believe me that its only been a few months?

2. How will they investigate how long we have been together? Will they question friends? My grandparents? Chris's colleagues?

3. Is it likely I am going to be prosecuted?

PLEASE ANYONE

1. You can't unfortunately.

2. If you tell them, probably via compliance and will only question you. If they find out another way, probably via FES with the full force of the Social Security Admin Act and the Social Security Fraud Act.

3. If they go compliance no prosecution, if they go FES who knows, it will depend on evidence obtained and amount of the overpayment.

Tell them asap and deal with it, the longer you leave the higher the potential overpayment.

worrywortcrystal

EXACTLY seven_day_weekend, how can you prove it?

Thanks everyone for the replies, I haven't brought myself to confess yet, I already feel like a criminal when I haven't deliberately done anything wrong :-(

gibson1

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

I just hope she doesn't take your advice otherwise she definitely will be prosecuted for fraud if she ever said that in an interview under caution. A 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' are partners. Anyone looking in on this relationship would they consider them a couple?

No, if a couple aren't living together with shared expenses, in one room they are not in partnership. Its not the DHP business as to who dates who.

sheramber

worrywortcrystal wrote: »

EXACTLY seven_day_weekend, how can you prove it?

Thanks everyone for the replies, I haven't brought myself to confess yet, I already feel like a criminal when I haven't deliberately done anything wrong :-(

they are moe likely to beleive you if you tell them sooner than later.

And if you friend has commented on the relationship no doubt others will too.

Better to come forward yourself than be reported by someone else.

worrywortcrystal

I think im just going to come off receiving any benefits... and manage somehow

NYM

worrywortcrystal wrote: »

I think im just going to come off receiving any benefits... and manage somehow

Don't do that. Just let them know about the change in your circumstances before someone else does.