housing/council tax benefit investigation letter.

keaton

I received a very worrying letter this morning saying I have a interview under caution this Tuesday. I have no idea what it could be for apart from last year I sent in updated payslips from my partners work, showing she was earning a bit more, yet 2 months ago the council contacted me and said there was a overpayment as I had not contacted them to tell them about the rise of around £150 per month.

I told them I sent them wage slips, but they said they have no record of this and the over payment was in the area of £800. I have since been paying this back at £75 per month, aside from that I don't understand what they think I have done wrong?

I suffer with oaniuc attacks and depression and this letter has me so scared and worried, does anyone have any advice?

rogerblack

Paying money back does not mean you will not be investigated for benefit fraud.
Do you have any proof, or witnesses to the fact that you sent in notification?

keaton

rogerblack wrote: »

Paying money back does not mean you will not be investigated for benefit fraud.
Do you have any proof, or witnesses to the fact that you sent in notification?

I dont, i handed it in at my local library, they took a photocopy that they faxed into the council.

I thought they'd investigate before they would get me re paying, not after? Ive been repaying since November/December.

NYM

Did the Library give you the fax transmission sheet to show it had been faxed or a receipt for their charges for sending it ?

keaton

NYM wrote: »

Did the Library give you the fax transmission sheet to show it had been faxed or a receipt for their charges for sending it ?

They did at the time yes, they gave me a receipt, but I don't know where it is.

The reason being about a month after I sent the payslips I received a letter stating what I was entitled to, so I thought it had been updated due to the payslips, I have since found out they send me out regular letters stating my benefit entitlement.

I just wish the letter arrived yesterday so I could at least speask to the council, I'm going to be worried all weekend.

dippy3103

If it is that then an overpayment of £800 is highly unlikely to land you in court.

keaton

dippy3103 wrote: »

If it is that then an overpayment of £800 is highly unlikely to land you in court.

Is there any chance that's what this is about though? Considering I've been paying it back since December?

keaton

Anybody have any advice? I'm so scared and worried right now.

NYM

keaton wrote: »

Is there any chance that's what this is about though? Considering I've been paying it back since December?

If they've already dealt with the overpayments, is there any chance that you've other income that they might have been informed about ?

keaton

No, none whatsoever I'm always above board with them, I'm going to ring them tomorrow and hope they'll tell me what its about.

NYM

keaton wrote: »

No, none whatsoever I'm always above board with them, I'm going to ring them tomorrow and hope they'll tell me what its about.

That seems the most sensible thing to do. Good luck !