Housing benefit and cash in hand query

Slanfromireland

Post deleted

Diary

If this isn't a troll then you need to come clean immediately. Explain you were working and didn't declare it until asked for bank statements on what you imply is a different matter.

What on earth were you thinking?

You say you don't want it coming back on you but kept it hidden until you were/will be found out. It'll always come back to haunt you trying to get one over on DWP or council.

pmlindyloo

What you should have done was to declare your earnings to JSA. This would have meant that your JSA money would have stopped for that week and you could then have reopened it or done a rapid reclaim.

Also during the 4 weeks illness you could have continued to claim JSA with a fit note.

Housing Benefit are now asking to see bank statements because your JSA stopping has meant that they are assessing you for HB based on a low income during that period. You are probably still entitled to HB even in the week that you were earning and entitled to the full amount when sick.

A mess.

Telephone JSA immediately and tell them that you have forgotten to declare your earnings during that week and let the council see your bank statements to assess your HB.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Declare it. Nobody will give your advice on defrauding the public purse.

Data Matching will pick up the transfers then you will be interviewed under caution.

At this moment in time any overpayment will be minimal. Fail to declare it could result in your being slapped with an administrative penalty.

Slanfromireland

Thank you. I definitely wouldn't ask advice on how to commit fraud, just some advice on the best way to fix it. Wasn't sure if I should just send my statements and let them contact me regarding the money or contact my local tax office first or the job centre. I don't want to try and cover my tracks with this, just get it sorted the correct way.

Slanfromireland

Thanks, I'll get onto them immediately. I wasn't expecting to be paid for it, it was a trial with the hope it would turn into a permanent position but it didn't work out. What a mess I've got myself into over such a small amount of money!:(

Diary

You just don't get it.

Even if working without payment like you say is the case you MUST still declare you're working - trial or no trial.

teddysmum

It's many many years since I signed (NI credit only), but remember that the form asked whether one had done any work since last signing, so by not declaring you were committing fraud and not 'making a mistake'.

Slanfromireland

You are correct Diary, I just don't get it. Hence asking for advice. Thank you for your useful comment.

ffacoffipawb

Slanfromireland wrote: »

I am currently claiming benefits; housing benefit, JSA and child tax credits. I recently did a couple of days work cash in hand which was paid by bank transfer. The job didn't continue and I didn't declare the money. After a short (4 week) break in claiming jsa due to illness the housing benefit office have asked to see two months bank statements to see if I was also in employment during that time. What do I do about the two days worth of wages in my account? Do I need to declare it? It was a very small amount, only £128 but I don't want this coming back on me. I'm a bit worried and haven't sent my statements yet and only have another week to send them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Yes you do need to declare it,

Lioness_Twinkletoes

From Google Cache for context as the OP has deleted the original post:

I am currently claiming benefits; housing benefit, JSA and child tax credits. I recently did a couple of days work cash in hand which was paid by bank transfer. The job didn't continue and I didn't declare the money. After a short (4 week) break in claiming jsa due to illness the housing benefit office have asked to see two months bank statements to see if I was also in employment during that time. What do I do about the two days worth of wages in my account? Do I need to declare it? It was a very small amount, only £128 but I don't want this coming back on me. I'm a bit worried and haven't sent my statements yet and only have another week to send them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.