Income Support Investigation

chriskr

Hey everyone! This is my first post but I'm a long-time lurker. I need some more specific advice today though.

I got a letter this morning saying an investigation is going to be conducted into my claim for income support and I have to go down there on Monday for an interview that "will be conducted under caution because we have information suggesting that you have failed to report that you had started a university course".

I've been claiming Income Support since my daughter was born in 2004. The first year I was stayed at home with my kid, then I returned to a college course I'd started, before progressing directly to the 3rd year of uni and I should be starting my final year next month. As far as I knew, they were completely aware that I was a university student as I was asked about it during those periodical interviews that you have to go to and there I was told that they were happy I was studying because they want people to become qualified and go on to get jobs. I also sent my Student Award Agency for Scotland letter with my student grants and stuff off to then when they asked for it.

Therefore I'm quite scared that I have done something wrong since they are investigating me, especally as the letter also says "... should further evidence emerge during the interview that you have committed an offence, further action could be taken which could include prosecution. We will provide you with more information about the allegation at the interview".

At the end it says I may want to seek legal advice for the interview. Is this a good idea? The main problem I have is that I'm not clear on what I'm actually supposed to have done wrong. Also, what will happen to me if I have done something wrong?

Sorry this was long, any advice anyome has on this would be very appreciated. This is the worst timing since they've currently stopped the Income Support and it's a little girl's birthday on the 31st in addition to me trying to save for a deposit for her going to nursery when I start back at uni.

cattie

If you have to go on Monday you may not have time to get legal advice before the interview. Usually if you have a legal or welfare representative to attend the interview with you, they can find out what the allegations against you are before the interview commences.

The best thing to do if you don't have any legal/welfare representative to attend with you is to try to take a friend or family member for moral support & just to tell the truth to any questions they ask you. The interviews are not aggresive & you won't be bullied, so don't worry about that.

If you have unwittingly claimed money you were not entitled to you will have to pay it back, but will be able to agree a payment plan with DWP debt management office to pay an amount that you can afford each month. If the errror in making payments to you was DWP's because you supplies all relevent documentation & notification, then you will not have to repay any money

Good luck anyway.

bigbill

Did they reduce your IS due to the grant?

Did you have access to a student loan?

I feel it will have something to do with these issues.

chriskr

Apparently they've given me £200 too much but wouldn't give me any other details about it over the phone. I sent them the letter with my uni grants on it when they asked and I don't have any student loans.

My mum is going to come with me but she's away next week so the interview has been changed to the following week. Thanks for all the advice, I'm not so stressd about it now, I just want it sorted out.