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JaneD1980

I received a letter from job centre asking me to attend an interview for my income support.
I usually have one every 6 mths so went in as normal to be taken into a private room and questioned about benefit fraud as they had an anonymous phonecall stating I was living with a partner.
It was an informal meeting and not under caution.
I was given 3 options, 1.to carry on as I have been and risk getting investigated by the fraud team,
2. End income support claim and start claiming universal credit as a family unit ( as even though my ex doesn't live with me, because he comes round to see kids and occasionally take kids out together (he's an alcoholic so I feel I have to be there to supervise) or 3 take 10 days to think about it.
I took the 3Rd option and have another interview on Tues. I've not eaten and hardly slept since. Terrified I'm going to be done for fraud just as I let the kids dad visit them.
Has anyone taken option 2 and changed their circumstances to their claim at a compliance meeting?
She said if I do this the matter will be closed but I'm scared that if I do this they will say well you have been living as a couple (which we haven't) so I'll get done for it aswel. It seems too much of an easy option just to change my claim and not be investigated!
Has anyone done this and their case closed at that meeting? Thanks

JaneD1980

They class doing "family stuff" together as living as a family unit even if you don't actually live together!

missapril75

JaneD1980 wrote: »

They class doing "family stuff" together as living as a family unit even if you don't actually live together!

No they don't.

As a father of the kids, if he was spending a significant amount of time at the home - overnight, family meals etc - that could conceivably be taken as living together - just as if you were two single, childless, people in a relationship including overnighting could be taken as living together.

Option 2 sounds like the old Specialist Claims Control units that used to tour the country in the 70s/80s with no evidence (if they did then they would end the claim themselves and then recover overpayments and possibly prosecute)

Just getting people to "come clean" under promise of amnesty makes them appear to be doing a good job because they claim benefit savings even though there may be none and that's even forgetting whether there's any offence.

If he doesn't stay, for you to be in trouble they have to prove otherwise.

Even if he has stayed overnight - missed last bus or ill or something, on occasion - it's still for them to prove it.

If he maintains a home elsewhere it helps your case. There are really no black and white rules - except that living together absolutely has to include sharing a household. It's what the law says.

She said if I do this the matter will be closed but I'm scared that if I do this they will say well you have been living as a couple (which we haven't) so I'll get done for it aswel. It seems too much of an easy option just to change my claim and not be investigated!

It's been fairly common to agree living together from a current date - or just a few days ago. No overpayment because it "only just happened", no prosecution and they get their 'result' too.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

JaneD1980 wrote: »

I received a letter from job centre asking me to attend an interview for my income support.
I usually have one every 6 mths so went in as normal to be taken into a private room and questioned about benefit fraud as they had an anonymous phonecall stating I was living with a partner.
It was an informal meeting and not under caution.
I was given 3 options, 1.to carry on as I have been and risk getting investigated by the fraud team,
2. End income support claim and start claiming universal credit as a family unit ( as even though my ex doesn't live with me, because he comes round to see kids and occasionally take kids out together (he's an alcoholic so I feel I have to be there to supervise) or 3 take 10 days to think about it.
I took the 3Rd option and have another interview on Tues. I've not eaten and hardly slept since. Terrified I'm going to be done for fraud just as I let the kids dad visit them.
Has anyone taken option 2 and changed their circumstances to their claim at a compliance meeting?
She said if I do this the matter will be closed but I'm scared that if I do this they will say well you have been living as a couple (which we haven't) so I'll get done for it aswel. It seems too much of an easy option just to change my claim and not be investigated!
Has anyone done this and their case closed at that meeting? Thanks

This makes no sense at all. Assuming you are telling us the truth and can comfortably prove your ex lives elsewhere, then why would you, effectively, state you are guilty by changing your claim?

Start getting your evidence together. Ask your ex to provide evidence that he is living elsewhere. This could be:

• Tenancy agreement
• Rent payments
• Driving licence
• Bank statements
• Utility bills

Make a diary of the dates and times he visited. Ask the DWP to provide their evidence that he has done more than visited his children.

I'd not roll over quite as easily as you!

FBaby

Agree with Lioness, you are either living together or you're not, it's not about which option suits you but which situation it actually is.

Did he use to live in that same property? How long ago did he move out? How old are the kids?

Londonsu

Does your ex partner have any ties to your address, it could be something as simple as him still being shown on the electoral register or having your address down at his GP surgery, also is there any financial ties, again it could be something as simple as having car insurance or credit cards details being attached to your address if that's not the case then you have nothing to worry about as the DWP are used to malicious accusations.


The DWP does have access to a lot of data so its best to ensure that there is nothing linking your ex to you even though you are not living under the same roof

kingfisherblue

Why don't you want to be investigated by the fraud team? If you are not living together, and can prove it, then the fraud team cannot prove otherwise.

Also, what will you live on if your IS stops? I don't know how many children you have, or how old they are, but I assume that you receive CTC, CB and possibly housing costs. You might have to reapply for housing costs as the DWP will inform the council that you are no longer receiving IS, so that could take a couple of weeks to sort out.

I had a compliance interview a few years ago, following a malicious anonymous phone call. I explained the situation (it wasn't about a partner) and was happy to provide proof. I heard nothing further.

JaneD1980

I split up with him over 4 yrs ago just before my 2nd son was born and started to claim income support.
Last year we went away for the night for my sons bday, ended up stupidly having a one night stand and getting pregnant.
He is unreliable and hasn't worked, just bums about all over the place sleeping at mates and family members houses.
Lately he has been round about 3 times a wk after sch to see kids and some Sundays.
I know this isn't an ideal situation and I don't like claiming benefits so don't need any insults about it I just need advice.
He hasn't got a fixed abode so can't prove he's not living here. Also his car is registered to this address as he's got no address to put down.
I'm scared stiff I'm going to get into trouble cos I can't prove where hes living.
All I want to know is if I change my circumstances at the meeting the lady said it would start a fresh claim and the case would be closed but I'm scared she's lying to get me to do this x

JaneD1980

He doesn't have a fixed address just stays at mates houses a.d sponges off them

kingfisherblue

JaneD1980 wrote: »

I split up with him over 4 yrs ago just before my 2nd son was born and started to claim income support.
Last year we went away for the night for my sons bday, ended up stupidly having a one night stand and getting pregnant.
He is unreliable and hasn't worked, just bums about all over the place sleeping at mates and family members houses.
Lately he has been round about 3 times a wk after sch to see kids and some Sundays.
I know this isn't an ideal situation and I don't like claiming benefits so don't need any insults about it I just need advice.
He hasn't got a fixed abode so can't prove he's not living here. Also his car is registered to this address as he's got no address to put down.
I'm scared stiff I'm going to get into trouble cos I can't prove where hes living.
All I want to know is if I change my circumstances at the meeting the lady said it would start a fresh claim and the case would be closed but I'm scared she's lying to get me to do this x

What insults? People are trying to help, but we only know as much of your circumstances that you post.

I can't help with your query about changing your claim, as I don't know enough about the way the system works if that happens. I was hoping that giving my own experience, it would help you. Perhaps not.

Darksparkle

Does he claim benefits?