DWP Office Interview Letter, Incredibly Scared!

MMEHTA2204

Okay this might be a long read but I will keep this as short as possible.

This issue is relating to my Parents. Basically My Mother has been called in for an office interview, the letter reads

"We're reviewing your benefits and Circumstances"

So first after receiving this letter in the post, I called the number on the letter and I got through Miss Ali from the Fraud and Error Service. On hearing that I absolutely got frightened if my Mother is in trouble. I should note the letter does not say "Interview Under Caution"

Now a summary of my parents benefits, so my parents are on ESA, they have been since March, before that my Parents were on JSA since 2014 on and off. Since getting on benefits my father worked zero hour contracts most weeks he did not work but the weeks he did were simply under 16hrs, on might have been over 16hrs. But he did get one continuous job in 2015-2016 which we did stop the benefits and during this time my mother was registered Self emp as we tried to help her launch a catering business. It did not work we just spent £30 on leaflets and then left it as there was no demand. During this time we did claim working tax.

No coming to the present since my parents have claimed ESA. My dad has worked odd days under 16hrs and maybe there was a week where he worked few hours more. My mother did have an medical appointment, which went fine and that was over a month ago, since then we have not got a response to that and their money is still being paid.

When looking online, I have found we have to notify DWP if a working 16hrs. The issue is it refers to the claimant but it is a joint claim but on my mothers name.

Now they have requested The latest bank statement which is fine but it does show pay from my father agency but obviously its low. Just this week he received £408 he worked under 16hrs but the rest of the payments were for over taxing which he got a refund for, so we will provide payslip for that as proof.

I am just incredibly scared my mother or father will get in trouble for this. Has anyone else received a letter of such??

BorisThomson

If your father has been working without declaring his income then they will have to repay the overpayment. They'll possibly incur an administrative penalty too.

Award letters are very clear about the need to inform the DWP about any change of circumstance.

MMEHTA2204

That's an oversight on my part, When I registered for the ESA on my parents behalf I just read the part of 16hrs but did not read the fine print. So whenever my mother asked if it's okay for my father to work, I just said yes its fine. In the last 5 months they have been on ESA he has maybe worked 4 weeks roughly under 16 each week.

I am just incredibly scared of what will happen. If its considered an overpayment that's fine but anything else...

poppy12345

MMEHTA2204 wrote: »

Okay this might be a long read but I will keep this as short as possible.

This issue is relating to my Parents. Basically My Mother has been called in for an office interview, the letter reads

"We're reviewing your benefits and Circumstances"

So first after receiving this letter in the post, I called the number on the letter and I got through Miss Ali from the Fraud and Error Service. On hearing that I absolutely got frightened if my Mother is in trouble. I should note the letter does not say "Interview Under Caution"

Now a summary of my parents benefits, so my parents are on ESA, they have been since March, before that my Parents were on JSA since 2014 on and off. Since getting on benefits my father worked zero hour contracts most weeks he did not work but the weeks he did were simply under 16hrs, on might have been over 16hrs. But he did get one continuous job in 2015-2016 which we did stop the benefits and during this time my mother was registered Self emp as we tried to help her launch a catering business. It did not work we just spent £30 on leaflets and then left it as there was no demand. During this time we did claim working tax.

No coming to the present since my parents have claimed ESA. My dad has worked odd days under 16hrs and maybe there was a week where he worked few hours more. My mother did have an medical appointment, which went fine and that was over a month ago, since then we have not got a response to that and their money is still being paid.

When looking online, I have found we have to notify DWP if a working 16hrs. The issue is it refers to the claimant but it is a joint claim but on my mothers name.

Now they have requested The latest bank statement which is fine but it does show pay from my father agency but obviously its low. Just this week he received £408 he worked under 16hrs but the rest of the payments were for over taxing which he got a refund for, so we will provide payslip for that as proof.

I am just incredibly scared my mother or father will get in trouble for this. Has anyone else received a letter of such??

I'm afraid it doesn't look good for your parents right now. Any change of circumstances need to be reported. The only thing i suggest is you tell your parents to be as honest as possible during this appointment. There will be an overpayment to pay back, for sure.

MMEHTA2204

Now I know that but as I was handling everything, I was not aware that was called a change in circumstance as it was 16 hours and under. Out of those five months it was probably 4 weeks within those months he got to work a day or two.

Will my parent be prosecuted or taken to court? I am incredibly scared, it's mainly my fault because I said it was okay and I have been studying and working at the same time and I'm 23 I have been handing my parents finances since I was 19.

poppy12345

MMEHTA2204 wrote: »

That's an oversight on my part, When I registered for the ESA on my parents behalf I just read the part of 16hrs but did not read the fine print. So whenever my mother asked if it's okay for my father to work, I just said yes its fine. In the last 5 months they have been on ESA he has maybe worked 4 weeks roughly under 16 each week.

I am just incredibly scared of what will happen. If its considered an overpayment that's fine but anything else...

This makes no difference. It was you parents claim and not yours. I'm guessing they're claiming Income related ESA and not Contribution based (because of lack of NI contributions in last 2 years through not working fully) Also the tax rebate will be classed as income so that could possibly be an issue too.

MMEHTA2204

I am going along with my mother to the interview and I will be taking the payslip along to show and bring the bank statements.

Is there a chance this will be a criminal prosecution or will it most likely be just an overpayment which will need to be paid?

poppy12345

Do they also claim housing benefit? If they do and changes weren't reported for this then that's an issue too. An overpayment will have occured here.

poppy12345

MMEHTA2204 wrote: »

I am going along with my mother to the interview and I will be taking the payslip along to show and bring the bank statements.

Is there a chance this will be a criminal prosecution or will it most likely be just an overpayment which will need to be paid?

I have no idea sorry.

MMEHTA2204

Only ESA. Me and my sister are paying the mortgage. The direct debit goes through my parents acc so the day it goes out we transfer into my parents accounts. I will bring that along to the interview too.

MMEHTA2204

Argh, I am crying right now. I feel so horrible that this is my fault.